NOT ONE WORD!! This makes me want to Puke.

[1captainron]

Last week Tom Fote (ASMFC), after several years of service was removed & replaced by our, I Don't Give a shit Governor. Replaced by Jeffery Kaelin who is a Lunds Fisheries Lobbyist and no friend of the recreational fishermen. Read into this guy and see what I'm talking about.

I'm shocked that not one word has been mentioned on this or any other sites as this is another kick in your ass with more crap to come.

I've been saying it for years, Government wants us off the Water and out of the way. Look at where we are with all the Regs, Limits & seasons.....has one thing ever gone in our favor the past 30 years? Yea, they threw us a bone and let us keep Fluke fishing a few years ago!

Sick of all the "WE" have to stand together bullshit also, that always falls on deaf ears with the exception of a few.

Don't worry, the Bass season is right around the corner, enjoy it while you can, take lots of pictures for your Grand-kids, they may never get the chance.

[Exit135]

Excellent point Capt. I would be a hypocrite to say I get as involved as I should but the mechanism is in place for attending federal and state fisheries management public hearings virtually and ask questions and raise concerns: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/events; http://www.asmfc.org/calendar/

[baseballman]

Yes, very upsetting. I agree wholeheartedly - it is F&#@&#^@. Esp because in one breath they do this and in the next, they approve offshore wind that will kill thousands of marine animals.

Again tho - and I have said this before - no one has successfully united the recreational angler community (PBs, charters, bait shops, etc) and organized a lobby the way the commercial guys have. That is a huge obstacle and would be a great first step to help ensure s%^@ like this don't happen.

[Broad Bill]

Last week Tom Fote (ASMFC), after several years of service was removed & replaced by our, I Don't Give a shit Governor. Replaced by Jeffery Kaelin who is a Lunds Fisheries Lobbyist and no friend of the recreational fishermen. Read into this guy and see what I'm talking about.

I'm shocked that not one word has been mentioned on this or any other sites as this is another kick in your ass with more crap to come.

I've been saying it for years, Government wants us off the Water and out of the way. Look at where we are with all the Regs, Limits & seasons.....has one thing ever gone in our favor the past 30 years? Yea, they threw us a bone and let us keep Fluke fishing a few years ago!

Sick of all the "WE" have to stand together bullshit also, that always falls on deaf ears with the exception of a few.

Don't worry, the Bass season is right around the corner, enjoy it while you can, take lots of pictures for your Grand-kids, they may never get the chance.

Been lurking on the site for some time and holding my tongue. The heart of Capt. Ron's post is no different than what we're seeing with the slew of recent whale and dolphin deaths. Fisheries management reports up under the Secretary of Commerce and the economy and commercial sector will always be prioritized over the recreational angler and environmental concerns. Not because of the data science generates to manage fisheries but because of the misuse of that data by politicians and the groups tasked with managing these fisheries to support the narrative federal and state governments want. A $100 billion wind farm industry will never take a back seat to the collateral damage to mammals we've been seeing since testing began a few months ago. Money's been invested, contracts signed, propaganda machine is in full gear with these boat speed restrictions, politicians have been paid off and there's no turning back.

NMFS has said it themselves, what matters most to them is catch values for commercial concerns and fishing effort or spending for the recreational sector. Translated, regulatory decisions for the recreational sector are being made very differently than regulatory decisions for the the commercial sector. NMFS just wants you to spend your money to spur the economy as opposed to focusing on the management of stocks while providing an equitable and fair opportunity for both sectors to harvest the oceans resources.

I don't know the facts of what happened with Tom Fote and why he lost his appointment, but rest assured it was politically motivated. The impacts of that decision will be felt moving forward and it won't be for the greater good of fisheries or the recreational community. If NMFS, ASMFC and MAMFC aren't fairly representing the recreational community, who is?

[AndyS]

Makes me want to sign up for the Saltwater Registry even more !!!

[Exit135]

The NMFS, ASMFC and MAMFC do not "represent" the recreational fishing community. They collect data and conduct research to implement fisheries policy and regulation. At this point, the recreational fishing community has very little political strength or lobbying capability, the commercial fishing community does. Whether that's a good thing or bad is up for interpretation.

[dales529]

While I agree with Capt Ron post and will say he has ALWAYS been involved in fisheries management.

Lets be honest here: Recreational Fishermen have ALWAYS been our own worst enemy on all regulation issues and NEVER come together as a force. There was RFA NJ, RFA National (the ONLY recreational LOBBYIST in DC) JCAA. SHBA , United Boatman etc etc and recs turned there backs on all of it for different reasons, different species management. There has never been a solidarity although many have tried.

The Commercial has one focus and a huge following for that focus where they band together, register for solidarity and lobby for votes.

You simply cant get government to care if they don't think you are an asset at the voting booth and we have been way short of that.

Shame on us!

[Broad Bill]

The NMFS, ASMFC and MAMFC do not "represent" the recreational fishing community. They collect data and conduct research to implement fisheries policy and regulation. At this point, the recreational fishing community has very little political strength or lobbying capability, the commercial fishing community does. Whether that's a good thing or bad is up for interpretation.

Based on Magnuson Stevens Act, in managing fisheries the above governing bodies are supposed to make decisions while "representing" all individuals and sectors equally:

Conservation and management measures shall not discriminate between residents of different states. If it becomes necessary to allocate or assign fishing privileges among various United States fishermen, such allocation shall be (a) fair and equitable to all such fishermen; (b) reasonably calculated to promote conservation; and (c) carried out in such manner that no particular individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of such privilege.

If that were the case, why would the commercial sector need such a strong political presence and lobbying effort as your post points out and why have the rights of the recreational angling community been overlooked in one fishery after another for decades?

[dales529]

Makes me want to sign up for the Saltwater Registry even more !!!

Andy
I have as stated many times my respect for you as a steward of both salt and freshwater fisheries. I have never understood your philosophy on the salt water Registry? By not signing up and those others that dont only reduces the number of anglers in the state so the government sees we are weak as a force and easier to ignore.

[hammer4reel]

Andy
I have as stated many times my respect for you as a steward of both salt and freshwater fisheries. I have never understood your philosophy on the salt water Registry? By not signing up and those others that dont only reduces the number of anglers in the state so the government sees we are weak as a force and easier to ignore.


Exactly , the more people they see things can effect means possible bites down the road .

Just like those not wanting even just a 2$ salt water license .
That few bucks getting an actual count of anglers , meets the rules to get us the millions we pay in excise tax on salt water tackle back .
Where they can use it to make better access points , rebuild ramps and name them free .
Put a real dollar amount on what’s lost in revenue when salt water angling lose its ranks .

People in the business are the worst. About 1 out if every hundred party and charter boats send anyone to represent them at any political function .
The two marches in Washington proved how little guys are willing to fight .

.

[capt74]

Dan, You are correct. Been to a lot of meetings over the years. The same Capts. boat owners are always there. The rest of the fleet just bitches about the outcome. Having been born and raised in Point Pleasant I have seen the changes that have been made over the years. The rec. head boat sector never seems to be at the meetings in full force. The commercial side always shows up in full force and has the money and lobbyist to fight their battles. Having been on both sides of the industry if we don't get our shit together were screwed. As Capt. Ron says they don't have to deal with us they would rather lease the ocean to a corporation to manage it.

[Bluefish]

Hey Ron, what would be the equivalent today of somebody dropping an anchor into the middle of an illegal purse seiners net (true story as I was there and so was (R.I.P). Senior.) Sometimes it takes a crazy captain to do something outrageous, an action to get the powers off their collective asses to pay attention.

[Broad Bill]

Yes, very upsetting. I agree wholeheartedly - it is F&#@&#^@. Esp because in one breath they do this and in the next, they approve offshore wind that will kill thousands of marine animals.

Again tho - and I have said this before - no one has successfully united the recreational angler community (PBs, charters, bait shops, etc) and organized a lobby the way the commercial guys have. That is a huge obstacle and would be a great first step to help ensure s%^@ like this don't happen.

To add to your point, where is the ASA in this leadership / unification effort as they are a significant benefactor of spending every year by the recreational angling community who buy products and services from manufacturers affiliated with their organization. And it's my understanding those purchases largely fund ASA with millions of dollars a year so why aren't those funds being spent to better represent the recreational angler and create the unity and singular voice our sector so desperately needs much like the commercial sector.

[Capt Sal]

Typical! Most of the people on this site have no clue and just look for fishing reports. The fishing is good down here in the "FREE STATE OF FLORIDA" LMFAO