March on washington Feb. 24th, 2010

[MakoMike]

The idea is to protest against some of the excesses of the revised MSA. Such as the mandate to stop "overfishing" by severely restricting catches even when everyone knows that the catches are not what is responsible for the "overfishing." Remember any shortfall in biological mass from the fishery management plan is by definition "overfishing."

Also to stop nonsense like the overuse of the "precautionary principal" like we have seen with the dogfish explosion.

[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

The idea is to protest against some of the excesses of the revised MSA. Such as the mandate to stop "overfishing" by severely restricting catches even when everyone knows that the catches are not what is responsible for the "overfishing." Remember any shortfall in biological mass from the fishery management plan is by definition "overfishing."

Also to stop nonsense like the overuse of the "precautionary principal" like we have seen with the dogfish explosion.

The goal is to protect the stock, and help rebuild it right? Isn't the only way to do that is to pare down the total allowable catch? What should they call the shortfall ? Who cares who or what is responsible if all we can control is the TAC.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

The idea is to protest against some of the excesses of the revised MSA. Such as the mandate to stop "overfishing" by severely restricting catches even when everyone knows that the catches are not what is responsible for the "overfishing." Remember any shortfall in biological mass from the fishery management plan is by definition "overfishing."

Also to stop nonsense like the overuse of the "precautionary principal" like we have seen with the dogfish explosion.

I thougt maybe I should be more specific about my previous post.

I do not necessarily disagree with MSA that if there is a shortfall in biomass, then there is overfishing. Even if other factors are reducing the biomass, the catch level needs to be reduced to be proportionate to the amount of biomass.

In simpler terms... the amount of flounder in a spot is reduced from 10 tons to 1 ton for whatever reason. That year only 1 ton was due to fishing. The next seasons catch has to be reduced no matter what is most responsible for the reduction in biomass.

Also, the precautionary principal could have prevented the fact that for most of my young childhood there wasn't a striped bass to be found where we vacationed on the Chesapeake Bay.

[sokinwet]

"The problem isn't the Pew Trust"
Really??...an oil $$ funded NGO that provides millions of dollars to radical environ. organizations directly involved in efforts to restrict ocean access, close complete fisheries, etc.

Take a look at the MLPA info. over @ Bloody Decks and see who's responsible for the Calif. mess and take some time to review the incestuous relationships between Pew funded groups and the agencies charged with regulating and designating protected areas. People should be going to jail over there!!

Do you really think it's right for these groups to monopolize the management of our fisheries & oceans simply because they have the $$ to do so?

[numbskull]

Wake up. What you and I think is "right" DOES NOT MATTER.
What we do is what matters. If we ignore the environmental impact of our fishing (as we are want to do) we give organizations like the PEW Trusts EXACTLY what they need to convince the public (or judiciary) that we SHOULD BE IGNORED.

Fishermen need to stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution. Pretending fish stocks are in good shape and that we are not a MAJOR part of any problem we refuse to acknowledge exists...........MAKES US IRRELEVANT.

Oh sure, we can scream and shout and make lots of noise and play the pity card......but in the long run if we do not voluntarily restrain our impact on over strained fisheries WE ARE GOING TO LOSE THEM. Remember, 290 million people in this country would pick resource protection over "fishermen's rights".

Do YOU lose sleep over loggers prohibited from logging in National Parks? Do you think the public will lose sleep over fisherman shut out of Marine Parks?

I don't like this any more than anyone else, but it is going to happen....and our stupid greed and inability to curb our catch is the reason it is going to happen.

[numbskull]

Here is an interview with the head of PEW by Sport Fishing Magazine http://www.sportfishingmag.com/speci...19-page-1.html

The guy is very intelligent and level headed....and a fisherman. We change our behavior and restore our fisheries we can continue to fish. We refuse to change and want to fight, they'll be glad to fight.

[scottw]

Interview: Pew talks to Sport Fishing - Saltwater Fishing Forums

you should also read through the comments...

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by scottw

Interview: Pew talks to Sport Fishing - Saltwater Fishing Forums

you should also read through the comments...

Such as this one by the president of Florida charter captains?

".....
The takeaway is that Pew is flexible and the driver of the catch shares system, is EDF.

We cannot beat Pew in a street fight. We need to encourage Pew to continue advocating for a slow and deliberate approach to regulating and turn our focus to EDF, which is advancing the doomsday agenda."
__________________
Captain Gary S. Colecchio
Silver Dawn Charters
Bonita Beach


Pew prioritizes the environment. If recreational fishermen do the same everybody both can win. If recreational fishermen fight to do otherwise, well then we're in for a "street fight".