we are in danger folks

[ab8aac]

We are in danger of loosing our right to fish, folks.  

If you haven't already read it you need to go here and read it.  

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/news/story?id=4975762

Everybody needs to contact their congressman and senator about this.

[Strkngbassn0917]

Just from research and everything I have read this is a very controversial article that could turn very political very fast... just giving everyone a heads up on it before people start going crazy.  Lets all just agree to respect each others opionions before we post.

Alot of other sites are saying that this is a hoax and is far fetched (check the comments section and read some of those articles and blogs as well).  Honestly, I can't really tell or be sure either way.

The last administration passed similar laws to reserve the islands of hawaii as national landmarks/monuments and also some other areas in the Pacific ocean.  It had lots of commercial fishermen and recreational fishermen in that part of the country very upset, but to this day I have not really heard much about it outside of that.

Another thing to think about, over 3/4 of the world's physical makeup is water.  We will always have places to fish... including our little honey holes :)

[lunchbox]

While the article on espn.com is enjoyable to read, it is also very slanted. With a bit of research i came up with http://www.conservefish.org/storage/marinefish3/documents/rceq73109.pdf which is a little less alarmist. I do not see any FACT in that espn article. Yes it's an issue, yes they are restricting water access, and yes it COULD impact our fishing. It is also being put in place to help prevent over fishing, prevent spread of invasive species *like carp btw* and help prevent destruction of natural resources. Does it suck that the MAN is working to take away stuff, yeah it does. Am i frustrated too? Sure, i am. I also believe that SOME ONE needs to take action. Large tuna are working their way to extinction due to over fishing. Why? Cause they taste good and there are crap regulations that only OTHER COUNTRIES have to follow. We harvest the heck out of tuna. How about crabs? Well, watch deadliest catch and listen to them tell you how in the last 20 years crabbing has gone to "heck" in a hand basket. They used to fill boats on a very short "out" and then go cash in again. Now crabs are scarce in places where they used to be found all over.
Maybe we should check on those glacial caps see how....wait, no, they are harder to find every year. Again, watch deadliest catch and listen to the guys talking about how much further north they can go before they hit ice pack. Yeah the old V.P. blew some smoke up our skirts, but turns out he was not totally wrong. Some one needs to take steps, and while i do not like the direction that this could go, at least some one forcing a direction.
Just my 2 cents

[Pro Reel]

I think we need to look at all the info we can find about this. We need to stay informed. We need to contact our reps and tell them that responsible restrictions aimed only at abusive commercial pratices will be supported, but that we expect them to make sure that the concerns of anglers and our access to sportfishing is not restricted by lumping us together with commercial fishing operations.

[matstone]

I think we need to look at all the info we can find about this. We need to stay informed. We need to contact our reps and tell them that responsible restrictions aimed only at abusive commercial pratices will be supported, but that we expect them to make sure that the concerns of anglers and our access to sportfishing is not restricted by lumping us together with commercial fishing operations.

Yea, what he said!

I been trying not to dwell on this topic, gets me bummed out.

[Fidrat]

This got me thinking.  ALL OF THE PLACES I FISH ARE MAN-MADE!!!  Some specifically for fishing.  What are they gonna' do? Drain 'em and fill in the hole?  Plus, some of the places I fish bring money into the surrounding communities.  Oops! I said the magic word. MONEY!  I doubt the gubment would mess with so many peoples lively-hood. Although it hasn't stopped them before.  I just don't think this will affect me but do correct me if I'm wrong. Don't worry, I have a thick skin.  I love a heated debate.        

[RonDeF]

I think we need to look at all the info we can find about this. We need to stay informed. We need to contact our reps and tell them that responsible restrictions aimed only at abusive commercial pratices will be supported, but that we expect them to make sure that the concerns of anglers and our access to sportfishing is not restricted by lumping us together with commercial fishing operations.

Yea, what he said!

I been trying not to dwell on this topic, gets me bummed out.

I agree

[Strkngbassn0917]

Well said pro reel.

Fidrat, excellent point my friend.  If you look at the state budget here in Va and Md, alot of the money that comes into the state is from fishing licenses and from commercial licenses and such goes straight to our state parks and outside recreational areas.

Without those funds the state would not be able to employ all the game wardens, park rangers, etc that they do today.  Without them who is to enforce our fisheries?  How will they keep up conservation efforts?

They have to draw the line somewhere.  When it gets to freshwater there will be mass chaos and protests EVERYWHERE, especially in fishing towns. 

Also, I can just see the protests along the eastern shore (MD) and the Chesapeake Bay now when they are told that croaker, striper, and flounder are restricted to some extent.  Those communities live and die off the catches that they make at sea.

[matstone]

When ever in doubt, search Snopes for a topic.

See for yourself. http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/fishingban.asp

[RonDeF]

Thanks Matt, good article.

[RonDeF]

Before anyone panics about our rights for recreational fishing being taken away from us, please read the story below.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/10/federal-plan-waters-end-recreational-fishing-wh-says/?test=latestnews

[roadwarrior]

Geez...Dude at ESPN should be fired.

[Fidrat]

No matter how hard I try I just can't say I'm even remotely concerned about this.  I mean it's good to keep informed and all but I think people jump the gun on things and overreact.

  Look at this Toyota thing.  It affected less than 1% of the vehicles. Now it's headline news.  The H1N1 thing.  It has killed no more people than any other common flu.  But now it's got everybody all going out to get shots.  We can't even call it swine flu anymore because stupid people think it has something to do with pork and it was affecting sales. (read money) How whacked is that?

  I realize this is the way people stay on top of things.  They get pieces of information, put them together and discuss them on the Internet.  Sadly, what people need to do is understand it's all about MONEY! If something is reported on the news that freaks out the public it gets people to watch the news. That in turn gets people to watch the commercials. Next thing you know your out getting the latest burger or insurance or whatever they are pushing this week.  Look, stay informed, calm down, relax...I gotta' idea...GO FISHING!!!  

Peace-out, Fid