MSBA Action Alert--Stripers Forever Bill Could Pass- Only One Hearing--This Thursday

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

Frank...It is Stripers Forever that is working to eliminate your input on this subject.

If the proponents of stricter regulations actually did the footwork, developed and presented the science and used the current system then we might actually have the series of hearings and vigorous public debate that many of us are yearning for including the MSBA Leadership.

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One hearing in the middle of a weekday is the Stripers Forever way...the "system" many here complain about has hearings from 5-7pm in multiple locations iwth at least 30 days notice...required by law...not manipulated by Stripers forever high paid enviro attorney's.

You've summed up exactly the cause of many people's frustration - very little getting done because of the obstacle course that is set up to push new policy.

Having worked and sat through dozens of public hearings/meetings/conferences through my work, I've witnessed that very little ever gets accomplished from them aside from delaying action or a result of complete inaction. Every school teacher, retiree, college student, home-maker, engineer, and businessman that shows up is an "expert" on the subject and thinks they have detailed knowledge. For example, the Westwood Station development has taken over a year longer than expected due to needing a hearing before just about every decision could be finalized.

Why exactly should the average fishermen have a say? Unless you have performed detailed research or reviewed multiple competent studies, how can an informed opinion be presented? Fisherman are already somewhat dismissed by the enviros for being selfish and destructive - presenting unsupported misinformation will only give them more ammo. SF is highly organized, and as such, more than likely has the qualifying materials (biased or not) to support there policy push. Unfortunately, "I have been fishing for 30 years" isn't perceived as credibility at these hearings.

If recreational fishermen truly want more control over fisheries management, then they need to support the people/groups that can perform the research necessary to support/contradict regulations and not let groups like SF or the commercial fishing industry continue dumping money until they get what they want.