For those interested, the following is a proposal I presented to the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission this year. Not only did it pass, but I was thanked for proposing it.
The DMF is working on the final wording...
Best,
Mike Flaherty
Quote:
Proposal 2 – Prohibit the intentional mutilating or killing of fish that are not kept:
It is common practice for fishermen to mutilate or kill fish that they consider as a "nuisance". This is especially true of dogfish. I've read on the Internet and heard first hand how many folks carry a club on board their boats specifically for this purpose. To the best of my knowledge this practice is legal - but it should not be.
Not only do such species have a valid place in our ecosystem, but one man's junk is another man's treasure.
There is a commercial interest in dogfish that the DMF has long championed on behalf of fishermen displaced from other fisheries. Every fish that is wantonly killed by those who do not target them means less fish for those who do value them – including consumers.
In addition, regardless of what folks may think of the science involved, accepted data lists dogfish as being overfished. Continued indiscriminate killing of dogfish can only hinder their rebuilding.
It is for these reasons that I respectfully request the MMFAC to consider formally prohibiting the intentional killing or mutilating of any fish that is not kept. An obvious exception to this petition would be the necessity of allowing folks to be able to mutilate or kill fish for use as bait.
If I am incorrect and it is in fact presently illegal to purposely kill unwanted fish, then I would recommend that the MMFAC take steps to better inform all fishermen that is the case. Worldwide there are many hungry nations less fortunate than ours. Fishermen in those countries do not have the luxury to view any edible fish as a nuisance, only as nutrition. We can learn a lot from such an ethic.
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