SNESA - Pogy Bill Proposed for Narr. Bay - Page 3

74Formula233 · 02-18-2007, 06:32 PM

George, I remember netting shitloads of 'em at the mill on Featherbed and whatnot.....

We had a homemade net made out of chicken-wire that was HUGE.....we'd jump off the flat rock, one on each side of the net, and they'd fill the thing, we'd dump 'em in a huge livewell in the back of the old '77 Mercury wagon or our '76 E250 LOL......

Good times......

JayR · 02-18-2007, 08:03 PM

Dom , your writing is very articulate and a joy to read. You obviously put a lot of effort into educating yourself in these matters. My hat is off to you.

On a similar note, I put a lot of effort into fighting stripersforever a few years back. Life got in the way and I dropped the ball. My biggest issue was what you have mentioned here... A grab for a resource by one group done in a disingenuous manner. I fear that you are right here and that the rec sector is doing whatever it takes to accomplish the goal. Unfortunately, I too would take this path.

Interesting that you bring up the harvest of wild game by our forfathers and how the practice almost wiped out many game animals. The same is happening with our fisheries but the public does not have it in plain view as they did with deer, elk, passenger pigeons and everything else. As the skies used to darken with the passing flights of pigeons so too did our waters with forage and game fish. The time of abundance has passed and there is a bitter pill to swallow in our future. I would rather err on the side of caution and stop the carnage now with stocks that have a chance to rebuild rather than wait until it is too late. How long before they are targeting trash fish just to keep in business? I think it is already taking place.

By-catch is a never ending issue as well.... What else may be caught in those nets targeting pogies? Another topic for another thread.

I think aquaculture is the answer and the sooner we are forced into it the sooner the monies will be available for education and research.

The only commercial fishery I could now stand behind would be hook and line only.... Far fetched but it is my hope. Species specific, naturally a minimal impact and the supply and demand would make the wild caught fish a luxury worthy of a much higher price. Yeah, I know... I'm dreaming.

Sometimes, it takes a dream.

JayR

JayR · 02-20-2007, 06:55 AM

Dom, I have to ask.... Where do you stand on the StriperForever push to make the striper a gamefish?

CaptDom · 02-20-2007, 09:28 AM

While I'm not the biggest fan of the groups methods and MO, I am divided on the gamefish status of not the striper specifically, but any fish in "trouble". I don't think the Striper is a candidate, by a long shot for a few very good reasons, the main one being the stocks seem abundant and healthy to me. Lets fix the regulations, instead of caving in to yet another special interest group

I don't really see the need to go so far, ever, with a species, unless it is in so much trouble that no harvest of that species is a must to insure its survival; they should be protected FULLY, not just from commercial effort, but from recreational effort as well. I would be the first to start practicing catch and release, or if warranted stop effort altogether on any species good science says needs protecting. I then would wait for good science to prove the fish was to the pont it could sustsain limited or even full effort, but on a much more responsible management approach.

It is well documented that recreational mortality is the overwhelming conrtibutor to angler related death in striped bass. This in itself should clue us in to the non applicability of the striper to gamefish status.

With the ease of aquaculture, and the growing capacity to support alot of nutrition needs for the world through farm raising certain species(like stripers) Im thinking this is the path we should be heading down with open eyes, minds and hearts.

To lobby to take away yet another species for pin hooking commercial guys just trying to make it is unwarranted and perhaps even "criminal" in some respects. We all know the plight facing our fishing industry now, as well as the drive to protect the stocks for the recreational average angler. I just firmly believe that some comon sense thought, and the removal of the revenue factor from these types of environmental concerns is the only way to better the situation. Bans, restrictions, and closures( any ultimatums) have no place in a democratic, free, unbiased society. Thats what we all really want as Americans, i think.

The striper has come back very strong, and I do not think anyone could claim that commercial harvest of the striper is its single biggest, or even one of its main issues for the future of its stocks at this juncture.

We need a completely new way to manage fish species and stocks, with much better conservation measures, but most importantly a level, fair share for all involved in the pursuit of this public and important resource.

I am also a big fan of going back to the samll boat, rod and reel fishery. It would allow a more artisanal approach to fishing, would drive the market price up to the point it would allow alot of guys to stay employed in an age old industry, with much storied past. Get rid of all the big netters, long liners, and any other monster entity harvesting large amounts of the ocean at a single time.

Lets bring the baymen back, and bring the pricing of wild caught fish up to where it should be(quality, not quantity). The salmon, tilapia , striper, barramundi, shrimp, tuna, and mahi farms can supply the lower echelon masses with their seafood proteins, while those with the means to afford a quality seafood meal, or with the knowhow to procure one themselves can have the wild game and seafood they desire. That would be something, to me.

JayR · 02-20-2007, 09:49 AM

Wow! I don't think I could have said that better myself.

On reflection, I think I did....

(not here)
I'm referring to previous battles on other boards in the past.

I think you and I are in a minority. That is, between the recreational sector and the big boat commercial interests.

I'm not aware of any movements to return to the small boat, hook and line fishery. Are there any?

My limited purview has not revealed anything of the sort and I understand it is simplistic but it sure sounds like a reasonable avenue for the future.

Thanks for taking the time to answer that question.

I also need to clear my conscience.... I did not expect your response... Being in the charter business, I kind of expected you to have full out support for the game-fish status. I underestimated your convictions. I like it when I am wrong like that

CaptDom · 02-20-2007, 10:06 AM

You sell yourself far short on these matters. I wish more guys would at least open their eyes and form their own opinions on the matter, rather than the current spoon fed ways.

You take it one step further, and even offer a viable(more so than you could ever imagine) solution in the return to a rod and reel fishery. I would say that handgear in itself would be a better all around solution, to allow certain species to be obtained by small, responsible types of nets and hand lines, as well as offbeat harvest practices like sperfishing and diving for shellfish.

What ever happened to the American tradition of making commercial fishing a romantic, honored, and respected pursuit???

It would be all to easy for me to only fight for the causes that would help my career path out, and gamefish status on alot of species sure would make my job easier, much more profitable, and far more viable as a long term option.......but I pride myself on being as much a steward of the sea as I can, and view all isues brought about by the current plight on a unique, individual approach. Too many guys take the easy road, or the simplest, least painful approach.......I been known to go in the corner, and hit myself in the nuts for a few times just for chits and giggles

I also find that when I do not just blindly support efforts, I form a more well rounded opinion, leave myself open to change of mind, and learn alot more.

You approach and thoughts on the revival of the artisan approach are so advanced and forward thinking its nuts...... Retro is a great word

loligo · 02-20-2007, 03:48 PM

I think I'd like to buy you a beer now!!

(I shortened the following)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptDom

We need a completely new way to manage fish species and stocks, with much better conservation measures, but most importantly a level, fair share for all involved in the pursuit of this public and important resource.

I am also a big fan of going back to the samll boat, rod and reel fishery. It would allow a more artisanal approach to fishing, would drive the market price up to the point it would allow alot of guys to stay employed in an age old industry, with much storied past. Get rid of all the big netters, long liners, and any other monster entity harvesting large amounts of the ocean at a single time.

Lets bring the baymen back, and bring the pricing of wild caught fish up to where it should be(quality, not quantity). The salmon, tilapia , striper, barramundi, shrimp, tuna, and mahi farms can supply the lower echelon masses with their seafood proteins, while those with the means to afford a quality seafood meal, or with the knowhow to procure one themselves can have the wild game and seafood they desire. That would be something, to me.

To me too

loligo · 02-20-2007, 03:50 PM

I think I'd like to buy you a beer now!!

(I shortened the following)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptDom

We need a completely new way to manage fish species and stocks, with much better conservation measures, but most importantly a level, fair share for all involved in the pursuit of this public and important resource.

I am also a big fan of going back to the samll boat, rod and reel fishery. It would allow a more artisanal approach to fishing, would drive the market price up to the point it would allow alot of guys to stay employed in an age old industry, with much storied past. Get rid of all the big netters, long liners, and any other monster entity harvesting large amounts of the ocean at a single time.

Lets bring the baymen back, and bring the pricing of wild caught fish up to where it should be(quality, not quantity). The salmon, tilapia , striper, barramundi, shrimp, tuna, and mahi farms can supply the lower echelon masses with their seafood proteins, while those with the means to afford a quality seafood meal, or with the knowhow to procure one themselves can have the wild game and seafood they desire. That would be something, to me.

To me too

CaptDom · 02-20-2007, 04:56 PM

JR,

Can you help some other guys out with your bold text in my quote, in regards to wild caught fish prices, and the way the system works, roughly?

I find a pervasive lack of even basic understanding by the average guy in regards to how seafood prices fluctuate, and what drives them(down in this instance) Please also highlight on the effect of illegal sales of fish by poaching.

JayR · 02-20-2007, 06:36 PM

You are asking me to expound upon something I too only have a basic understanding of....

A quick Google searched revealed the following

Quote:

Farm-raised fish are fish in pens in the ocean and when this got a bad wrap they changed the name, that's all) would be better for our environment and better for us. But we have learned that farm raised means that the fish don't get lots of swimming room, are prone to disease (and therefore fed antibiotics) and can get out and infect the fish in the wild. They are also high in mercury.

There's tons to read on the subject.

Due to the limited food variety they are fed, they lack in taste as well.

Supply and demand would dictate price in regards to the wild caught. Fewer available would necessitate a higher price.

More fisherman catching fewer fish would likely see a better income as the overhead would be greatly reduced and the price for their catch would be much higher...

Sorry, but I'm on my 3rd Vicodin for the day and articulation of thought is in short supply

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