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Observers is not the answer. The so called "MD ring" (although they actually came from Virginia and DC but hey, why get the facts right) did everything in the open. I personally know one of them as he lives about a mile from me. One of his nets that he used to increase his quota (read poach) was just a short swim up the creek from me. I won't say he's a nice guy becasue a thief is a thief in my book. However, for every comm doing it there are more (primarily because of the sheer numbers) of recs who are doing the same thing albeit in smaller numbers. But the result is the same. The difference is that the recs do it when we are out fishing as well so we could care less (or don't want to take the time from our actions getting our piece of the share) to report them. Makai said it best...another example of how we as the human race can really show how little we have advanced since we left the cave.
All I can say is that when they select the new Director of Enforcement for NMFS (most here don't even know they are in the process of filling that position) I hope he/she will place as much emphassis on holding us accountable as recreational anglers as they do for our commercial brethern. In fact, maybe the answer is observers for us. Wouldn't you like to have someone on your boat or looking over your sholder telling you not to swim out farther because they need to stay tethered to you? Be careful what you wish for...
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