Fishing-ban protest set for Washington D.C.

Posted on 17 December 2009

Recreational and commercial fishermen will gather on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Feb. 24 in an organized demonstration against what they say are the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

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Coordinating the march under the flag of United We Fish, rally organizers are hoping to see a large show of force in defense of coastal communities.

"The closures keep coming and it's good to see the collective fishing communities and industries, both recreational and commercial, calling for scientific-based Magnuson reform," said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, in a statement.

Donofrio cited recent closures of amberjack, black sea bass and red snapper fisheries as examples of what he calls a "broken" federal fisheries law.

Organizers from within the recreational fishing sector are hoping to get commitment from all user groups and across varied state and regional boundaries.

"This is much bigger than any one state issue or individual grievance," RFA managing director Jim Hutchinson Jr. said in a statement. "Whether it's our restrictive fluke fishery in New York, the arbitrary closure of state waters for our anglers in California, or the shutdown of red snapper and amberjack down South, our community has been divided by preservationist tactics for too long. It's time to unite the clans in defense of our coastal heritage and traditions."

Click here for the full release.

Comments

It is very important that everyone involved in the marine industry show up with as many people as possible. As they are now closing entire fisheries like black sea bass, red snapper, etc. This is an economic nightmare for coastal communities. If you are in a marine related business such as bait, wholesale and retail, tackle manfacturers and shops, boat builders, new and used boat sales, marina's, gas and diesel sales, electronics sales, manufacturers and installers, marine mechanics both diesel and outboards,etc....

YOU HAD BETTER SHOW UP WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN; OR YOU WON'T HAVE A BUSINESS.

People that can't go fishing will not need your products or services. Strict regulations are on thing; but these closures are killing the economic engine of coastal communities. It's insanity, particularly while the country is in a severe recession with record job losses. Be there and make your voice heard.

I am a commercial lobsterman, sport fisherman and an Accredited Marine Surveyor out of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

I just read about the March on Washington planned for February 24, and I am heartened to see that finally both the commercial and recreational sectors are discovering common ground concerning America's insane fisheries management policies. We have far more in common than we have realized in the past.

For too long, groups hailing themselves as "conservationists" have attacked both the commercial and recreational users of our ocean resources. These self-proclaimed green groups, taking advantage of our division, have been very successful at forcing their anti-fishing agenda while we have been in conflict with ourselves.

Recreational fishermen's right to enjoy our ocean's bounty, and the consumer's right to fresh wild caught seafood must be recognized and protected.

I pray that we can, collectively, return sanity to America's fisheries management.

"United we stand, divided we fall."

Captain Jay Michaud, SAMS, AMS

Marblehead, Massachusetts

www.MarineSurveys.com

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