OBAMA.. ONE BIG ASS MISTAKE AMERICA...

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by likwid

Show me Cod at the Gurnet then.

Show me what hey feed on is still there and the water temp has not shifted there like every were else??? Oh and dogfish are not there. There is more in the ocean to worry about then just hammering the commercial guys... Enviromental/ predadition/ competition for food... But hey what do I know, right?

[spence]

Ok, I've read up on the issue a bit. I am now an armchair expert

It doesn't appear that the new law is some radical liberal plot, it's been planned for some years and seems to have broad support from those leading the discussion. Chances are if McCain was President it would have become law all the same.

Some stocks are doing well but others are suffering.

Technology has advanced making individual boats more effective, and as a result the fleet is too large for the number of fish.

The introduction of sectors was meant to grease the skids for the bigger changes, not to be the final state. It does look like the new rules allow for more rapid action if stocks improve as well as increased measures to combat illegal fishing.

I do think the argument that this law moves too quickly and gives lesser fish too much influence has some merit.

I'm not sure how this is a gift to the bigger commercial boats, unless you mean that by putting the little guy out of business they will be the only one left standing.

Being from Iowa this reminds me a lot of the death of the family farmer. New technology improves production, the cost to operate goes through the roof and the little guy doesn't have the finances to cover expenses with a bad harvest.

It simply seems like we're in the middle of change which is unsettling.

-spence

[spence]

I'd also like to hear what the guys on the boats think should be done...what the alternate proposals out there really are.

It does seem that if left unchecked the stocks have a bad habit of collapsing.

-spence

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Islander77

Show me what hey feed on is still there and the water temp has not shifted there like every were else??? Oh and dogfish are not there. There is more in the ocean to worry about then just hammering the commercial guys... Enviromental/ predadition/ competition for food... But hey what do I know, right?

Very valid points islander. however, just because there are other negative impacts doesn't mean every other impact should go unchecked.
So there are a lot less herring, so a lot less food for cod, tuna etc... there are too many dogfish.... climate change, natural or anthropogenic has had an impact (it probably has already) so every boat should keep doing it's thing?

Spence asked a rare valid question: WHAT IS THE alternative solution.
1. Show me the science that stocks are recovering. Maybe the target for recovery is too high, but that's a separate issue
2. If they are 'recovered' what should be allowed, Status Quo?
3. So the economy is in the crapper, is there ever a good time to cut back and make more repos and foreclosures? Should they offer a buy out?

Search my posts here, especially regarding menhaden and you will find I have a long, non-anti commercial track record. but, seriously, offer an alternative, besides a rant that 'OBAMA' - NOAA/NMFS is screwing everyone twice till Sunday.


If I had my way, we'd go back to a lot of rod/reel, fish pots etc and limit dragging to certain areas and certain species. Sustainable fisheries. I realize dragging is an effective way of catching fish, but by catch is huge, and you can deny all you want, but the negative impact to the bottom, especially in cobble-gravel areas is significant.