Coming your way soon: Catch Shares so the Big Cats get Bigger

[captbogan]

I don't mean to keep spoiling everyone's day...

...And I won't propose to know everything about "catch shares" --but I do know they are not good for the regular fisherman or fishing communities.

I understand catch shares have been in use in the Gulf of Mexico states for a few years now. So, if you have the money, you can catch red snapper. If you don't, you're S.O.L.

And from what I've read, British investors basically own 23% of all clams in U.S. waters.

There are a number of corporations, some posing as an environmental entity, who are positioning themselves to buy up catch shares. If a company like PEW (and it is a lobbying company) buys up catch-shares, they'll be able to use or not use them or sell/rent them however they like.

We fishermen don't have to agree on everything. Issues can be hammered out later. But when we can agree on the big things concerning our opportunities to fish, we need to stand together.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance --RFA, will not be able to make all recreational fishermen happy all the time. But they are the closest thing that we have to the NRA (and if it weren't for the NRA, we would have lost the right to own a gun a long time ago).

I am an RFA member and so is my business.

Granted, we don't all have the time attend meetings but we can help by joining those who can.

If you haven't joined already, I urge you to do so. www.joinrfa.org

"If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately." --Benjamin Franklin

[Rocky]

I try my best to be involved in all the fishing issues going on right now, and I know I could probably do even more to protect our future fishing rights.

That being said, it blows my mind how many fishermen and charter boats turn a blind eye to the issues and expect others to fight for them. This battle can only be won with numbers and great support from the whole fishing community, and not just a few. I am pleading for anyone that is sitting on the sidelines to get involved and do something. No matter how small or large get involved now, before it is too late.

[captbogan]

Agreed, Rocky

Some of these anti-fishing entities have lots of $ and support.

I understand that one of the biggest contributors to PEW is Walmart. Is that company that naive? or are they okay with giving money to anti-fishing group while selling tackle to fishermen? I haven't shopped at Walmart for years and I tell my friends and family not to.

Like I said, if you can't get to meetings, support those who support you. I'm on the side of whoever is on my side. I perceive too much division among fishermen.

What we can agree on is that fisheries management is messed up. When they are insisting that NJ keep a 19 inch fluke, while science shows that there would be more dead discards at that size than fluke kept. --This is not conservation, this is Bull.

It is very easy to find your rep on the internet and send him or her a short email. I'm disappointed that my congressman has not yet responded to the email that I sent him but I will give him a chance. If he does nothing, I will make it publicly known.

[SNAPS]

Originally Posted by captbogan

Agreed, Rocky

Some of these anti-fishing entities have lots of $ and support.

I understand that one of the biggest contributors to PEW is Walmart. Is that company that naive? or are they okay with giving money to anti-fishing group while selling tackle to fishermen? I haven't shopped at Walmart for years and I tell my friends and family not to.

Like I said, if you can't get to meetings, support those who support you. I'm on the side of whoever is on my side. I perceive too much division among fishermen.

What we can agree on is that fisheries management is messed up. When they are insisting that NJ keep a 19 inch fluke, while science shows that there would be more dead discards at that size than fluke kept. --This is not conservation, this is Bull.

It is very easy to find your rep on the internet and send him or her a short email. I'm disappointed that my congressman has not yet responded to the email that I sent him but I will give him a chance. If he does nothing, I will make it publicly known.

Send your representative money not emails, that's what they understand, when are we gonna realize this. The opening lost come out and said it! Buying catch shares ! Same difference. Don't give a crap how many meetings or emails you send it all about $$$$$

[Gerry Zagorski]

Well here goes.... Follow the money and pay to play.

The stocks are in decline but if you write us a check it's all good?? Where the heck is this country going??

I agree with Captain Bob.... If this happens all the catch shares are going to wind up in a few hands that have the money and a natural resource which belongs to us all gets sold to the highest bidder.

NRA vs RFA is an interesting comparison but they are different as I see it. Guns and the laws behind them are protected by the 2nd Amendment. Nothing like that in the constitution to protect our rights to fish.... The NRA also has a very strong and well funded national lobby, are well organized and supported by gun related businesses as well as individuals.

The RFA is similar in purpose to NRA except for fishing but that's were it ends. We have all these splintered and local fishing organizations and groups fighting over the scraps they throw us... NY wants this, NJ wants that, North Jersey wants this but South Jersey wants that and now we are turning on one and other and loose sight of the bigger picture.

We need to have singular mission and funding like the NRA and instead of fighting over scraps and against each other, unite on the bigger issue. In our case the issue is the laws and process which govern our fisheries and ultimately our quotas.

Yes it sucks that we are in the position here in NJ we are at with Fluke and Sea Bass and other states are with Cod or Snapper.....Those fights need to be fought. However, at the end of the day these are symptoms not the cause and unless you get at the root of the cause you'll be left fighting for scraps every year.

The root cause and the bigger issues are Mangnuson Reform and a totally out of control, mismanaged, punitive and broken Fisheries Management system under NOAA.... Those are the fights that need to be fought nationally and you can't do that unless you support a national organization.

I choose to support and be part of the RFA for that very reason.

[Capt Sal]

I agree with your thinking Jerry.

[barbarian]

Can fish be considered a natural resource?

[captbogan]

Originally Posted by SNAPS

Send your representative money not emails, that's what they understand, when are we gonna realize this. The opening lost come out and said it! Buying catch shares ! Same difference. Don't give a crap how many meetings or emails you send it all about $$$$$

I can promise you that if the few of us that still go to the meetings had quit, it would be even worse. And yes, I agree, it comes down to politics and money

[captbogan]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Well here goes.... Follow the money and pay to play.

The stocks are in decline but if you write us a check it's all good?? Where the heck is this country going??

I agree with Captain Bob.... If this happens all the catch shares are going to wind up in a few hands that have the money and a natural resource which belongs to us all gets sold to the highest bidder.

NRA vs RFA is an interesting comparison but they are different as I see it. Guns and the laws behind them are protected by the 2nd Amendment. Nothing like that in the constitution to protect our rights to fish.... The NRA also has a very strong and well funded national lobby, are well organized and supported by gun related businesses as well as individuals.

The RFA is similar in purpose to NRA except for fishing but that's were it ends. We have all these splintered and local fishing organizations and groups fighting over the scraps they throw us... NY wants this, NJ wants that, North Jersey wants this but South Jersey wants that and now we are turning on one and other and loose sight of the bigger picture.

We need to have singular mission and funding like the NRA and instead of fighting over scraps and against each other, unite on the bigger issue. In our case the issue is the laws and process which govern our fisheries and ultimately our quotas.

Yes it sucks that we are in the position here in NJ we are at with Fluke and Sea Bass and other states are with Cod or Snapper.....Those fights need to be fought. However, at the end of the day these are symptoms not the cause and unless you get at the root of the cause you'll be left fighting for scraps every year.

The root cause and the bigger issues are Mangnuson Reform and a totally out of control, mismanaged, punitive and broken Fisheries Management system under NOAA.... Those are the fights that need to be fought nationally and you can't do that unless you support a national organization.

I choose to support and be part of the RFA for that very reason.

I agree. I don't own a gun but I belong to the NRA because I believe in what they stand for.

Joining the RFA only costs $35 a year.

[Cuz]

I respect any organization that organizes people and money to let the big wigs in the state and government know we are watching and caring what they are doing. They make the laws, rules, limits, sizes, seasons, etc. Can you imagine what kind of BS they would pull if no one was on watch?
I noticed the RFA gets a lot of attention on this site. I also respect the STSF organization.
I personally support the Jersey Coast Anglers Association. When I made this personal choice I did my homework. One hundred percent (100%) of the money is used towards the big "fight". The JCAA fights for "N.J." regulations. When I made my choice, this was important to me. I don't want to give my donations to any other states problems since I fish in my home state. No one in the JCAA gets a salary. It's totally volunteer. They were first on the scene thirty (30) years ago. Still going strong with no end in sight.
All the organizations need to push harder for more members. I guarantee if you walk around a party boat and ask our fellow fishermen if they belong or contribute to either three organization you would get the following answers. No, no, and no. Maybe ten (10) out of seventy will say yes. The others don't have a clue OR CARE.
Every captain at this point should offer their clientele a application to join a fishing organization that is going to help every fishermen, bait store, party/charter boat owner, marina etc. in the future. Power in numbers. Everyone will benefit from a big push to get people involved.
I always say," You have no right to complain if you don't contribute.