|
SF,
I hear you loud and clear but I believe that the opinion and assumption that people are "losing out" is unfounded and based on conjecture as oppossed to solid fact.
Just because one contributes to the local economy during their fishing venture doesn't automatically hand them the keys to the waterfront. Where did you buy the gas ?, etc. It isn't consistent and doesn't contribute to RI specifically. In my opinion it is NOT a good arguement.
If and when these licenses are imposed is just a matter of time. It is inevitable. Florida and other states have imposed them so it is not so "Socialist" to impose them elsewhere. The only surprise in RI is that the state actually has a history of standing up for individuals rights as oppossed to reducing them. Those years are long gone and we live in an age where rules and laws are cluttering our lives. Take a look at Europe. You need a license for wiping your butt (well almost).
People abuse rights. No one is saying that people are abusing their right to fish in RI and that is not the reason why this is being forced through. The reasons are monetary and won't help RI fisherman at all. But it WILL increase awareness of fishing and what it takes to go fishing.
We spend time on this site talking about fishinng and the how's and how not's.
My impression is that a Massachusetts SW license is coming and, in the long run, it will benefit the fishery. People will have to be accountable for their actions. It won't be the same drunken "this so easy, I'm an awesome fisherman" thing anymore. You will be accountable for catch, safety and release of fish. You may even actually have to be GOOD at it. Fancy that. Actually getting better at fishing as oppossed to being a "Cranky, I do it MY way" type of angler. The fishery WILL be healthier because there won't be as many demands on it.
Is progression wonderful ?
Overall, I am NOT in support of a license that is force fed down the constituents mouths without proper representation.
That is horse shiite and RI is in for a heap of protests over this method.
|
Threaded Mode