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Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
January 20, 2012
Plans set for March national fishing rally in D.C. By Richard Gaines Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Fri Jan 20, 2012, 03:14 PM EST Commercial and recreational fishing interests today announced plans for a March 21 mass demonstration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to energize the push for amending the law that directs the regulation of America's fisheries, a little more than two years after the 2010 "United We Fish" rally turned up the national heat on regulatory and enforcement issues. The 2012 "Keep Fishermen Fishing" rally was announced this morning in a release that focuses on the organizers' foes — "a handful of mega-foundations and the anti-fishing ENGOs (environmental non-government organizations) they support to drive fishermen off the water." To do that, demonstration organizers contend, nonprofit giants such as Environmental Defense Fund have influenced the government to misinterpret the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries and Conservation Act, which was amended significantly in 1996 and 2006. Since the first mass rally, which drew as many as 5,000 participants on Feb. 23, 2010, the fisheries policies of the Obama administration — embodied by NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, who came to office from academia and a board of director's post with EDF, have produced fierce resistance on the water and in Congress to the green-government power block. Among the changes sought is the flexibility of time frames for rebuilding stocks, rather than clamping down fishing limits organizers say unduly harm the industry and fishing communities. The most hotly disputed policy is the administration's effort to transform fishermen's catch into tradeable commodities through an allocation of catch shares. The epicenter of the fight has become Massachusetts and New England, which came under a catch share regimen in 2010 and has been undergoing accelerated job loss and consolidation of control. But in the Southeast, the Gulf, the West Coast and Alaska, resistance has also continued to policies perceived to be influenced by corporate foundations and ENGO clients such EDF and the Pew Environment Group. The Walton Foundation, founded by Wal-Mart heirs, has been a lead financier of EDF's promotion of catch share commodification. The House of Representatives voted 231-131 in February 2011 to bar the launch of any new catch share programs, and a modified version of the ban was approved by the Senate during a continuing budget resolution. A similar ban for fiscal 2012, however, was killed in November by parliamentary maneuvering. As with the first rally, participants are expected from all three coasts and Alaska. The Recreational Fishing Alliance, based in New Jersey. is again handing the "red tape," permits, security and the like, according to the alliance's managing director Jim Hutchinson Jr. "The initial Washington rally was a monumental success that helped put the plight of America's coastal fisherman and those in related businesses in the public eye," the rally announcement said. More than two dozen senators and representatives spoke at the 2010 demonstration. "However, a continuous stream of regulatory requirements are leading to unnecessary and unacceptable restrictions in demonstrably sustainable fisheries," the announcement indicated. "As a consequence, the American public is being denied access to the food and fun of this tremendous natural resource. "Most U.S. fisheries are in better shape biologically than they've been for a generation or more. In fact, last year NOAA Fisheries scientists announced that 84n percent of U.S. fish stocks studied for fishing activity were not experiencing overfishing as of 2010. "However, despite the heavy sacrifices on the part of coastal fishermen," the announcement continued, "the same federal agency in charge of managing the resource has been using a broken law to mete out broken promises upon these constituents to ratchet down regulations as fisheries continue to rebuild." Final details of the 2012 Keep Fishermen Fishing rally are being put in place, organizers said, including transportation from coastal communities across the country. Anyone seeking more information on how they can get involved in the national rally, call 888-564-6732. For more information on the rally as it becomes available — including bus sign-up information and details from the 2010 rally — visit www.keepfishermenfishing.com. We will update this story here at gloucestertimes.com as more information becomes available. To have a text update regarding this story or other local Breaking News coverage, just sign up for the Times' free text-alert service on the gloucestertimes.com homepage. For more on this story, look to tomorrow's print and online editions of the Gloucester Daily Times and gloucestertimes.com. Richard Gaines can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3464, or at rgaines@gloucestetimes.com. . |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
was at the last one who's going to join us this time
http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/y...n/PICT0860.jpg http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/y...n/PICT0855.jpg SHOW UP TO SUPPORT OUR FISHERIES OR DONT BITCH WHEN WE LOSE THEM . |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
I'll Be There...
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
Was there last time, and will probably be there this time!
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
will be there if I do not have any exams that day
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
I will be there
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
So another Rally were Recreational Fisherman waste there money to go to D.C. and walk hand in Hand with Commercial guys who are rapeing our waters, killing off the bunker and have there pots on the reefs that Recreational Fisherman paid for! I just read a artical in a certain weekly fishing rag there is a good article in there written by Bill Figley "responce to pots off the reefs"
instead of spending your money and time to go to D.C. you should use your time and money to protest at the front of the NJ Assembly or the office of the guy holding up the bill to get the pots off of the reefs! His name is Nelson Albano from were else !! Cape May N.J.!! Mr. Nelson is a assemblyman and chairs the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. My pet peave is all the bunker reduction boats killing all the bunker I did some looking into all the uses of bunker when i was checking for a new dog food for my new Lab and bunker kept coming up! bunker is used in everything and it needs to stop! but it is big money and big money for our poiticaions who get large sums of money to turn there head the other way when it comes time to vote one commercial bunker regulations! I didnt walk last time and wouldn't walk this time I give my money to people that are helping to save our recreation fishing! I'm probably going to get some flack for this responce but think about it before you comment its time to say its "us against the commercial guys" think of all the money and jobs recreational fisherman bring to N.J.!! |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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Main problem is there is ALOT more going on where we are going to get the short end of the stick. If catch shares goes through you can be sure our recreational days are numbered. Right now it is important to fight to maintain the fisheries we both are utilizing, while also continuing to fight in other areas for our recreational purposes. If 1/10 of the recs would show up at a funtion like this we would have a bigger voice. Problem is most recs wont reach into their pockets for a buck where commercial guys throw thousands in. At least they are trying to do something to stop the government from taking away even more of the little we have left. sometimes you have to bend in order to help your own cause |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
"If 1/10 of the recs would show up at a funtion like this we would have a bigger voice. Problem is most recs wont reach into their pockets for a buck where commercial guys throw thousands in."
I dont get this comment the way I figure it is the rec fisherman keeps you in business. And commercial fisherman that is their business they should chip in thousands. How about all the tackle stores bait and fishing equipment such as daiwa etc the restaurants and stores like Dicks all of these people who benefit from fishing how many of these people showed up in Washington when we marched. Too only get 5000 people shoe up in Washington from the whole east coast is pathetic. :mad: |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
idk.. fighing a loosing battle... everyone needs to really rally together this time!!!
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
>> I'm probably going to get some flack for this responce but think about it before you comment its time to say its "us against the commercial guys" think of all the money and jobs recreational fisherman bring to N.J.!!
Jigman, that’s precisely the direction the California sportfishing community took in the 90’s when environmental groups assured a handful of leaders that no-take, no human access, marine reserves were going to shut out the commercial guy but protect the recreational fishermen. So, these leaders support the enviro’s in their efforts to shut down the ocean, only to find later that they were excluded from using those areas as well. Read this for more on that - http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FL,+CA.....-a0269433745 It’s a leap year, and for 365 days out of 2012, we can disagree with the commercial sector on allocation of fish and gear use – it makes us all more powerful in the fight against anti-fishing groups if we can use that extra day of the year to unite in opposition to the real enemy, those who would prefer to kick us all off the ocean! The ongoing debate in New Jersey about pots on the artificial reefs has become a political football on gear, which could easily be settled by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Fish and Wildlife by making a regulation to eliminate pots. The state originally invited commercial pots on at the inception of the program, they allowed the issue to grow exponentially over a couple of decades, and now they have no idea how many pots are actually even deployed in coastal waters. It’s a travesty and we need to continue to fight this restrictive gear issue. But that’s a gear issue, one small part of a much bigger issue! In terms of reduction boats, they no longer operate in state waters. This is a destructive process taking place by Virginia boats operating in Virginia waters and outside of the 3 mile limit in federal waters, but I don’t see it (personally) as a commercial problem but instead a corporate, ethical issue. Omega Protein is a publicly traded company that is truly raping our seas, and I hope all anglers have ensured that none of their own personal money is tied up in this disgusting practice. But this is one part of a bigger allocation argument, where reduction boats from Virginia control probably 90% of the annual bunker harvest where local bait boats are fishing on the rest. Now, let’s get beyond the gear and allocation issue for a moment, and understand that the rally in DC is about open access, under the law, to rebuilding and often times rebuilt coastal fish stocks. If you make the commercial FISHERMAN an enemy on everything, you will lessen your ability to fight a real enemy which includes (A) radical anti-fishing organizations, and (B) corporate behemoths would enjoy seeing a privatized public resource to allocate through public auction and retail sale. On March 20 and March 22, we can go back to beating the crap out of one another over the bunker harvest, the unfair allocation of fluke and scup, and the issue of denied access at our local snags due to the proliferation of commercial fish pots (most probably unlicensed and unregulated), but on the extra day of the year and the first day of spring, I believe that uniting under the one common bond we both have as FISHERMEN is the ideal upon which we should remain focused. In stealing the words of pastor/activist Martin Niemoller who wrote about the heavy burden of guilt felt by many Germans after the holocaust, allow me to offer this… When they came for the commercial fishermen, I remained silent; I was not a commercial fisherman. When they locked up shares of red snapper, I remained silent; I was not a red snapper fisherman. When they went after the party & charter boat operators, I did not speak out; I was not a for-hire captain. When they closed off Pacific waters, Stellwagen & Biscayne Bay, I remained silent; I didn’t fish there. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out On 3-21-12, we're all fishermen...united we can stand, divided we fall. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
How is occupy wall street and occupy every single city going? absolutely no where. :rolleyes:
Sorry to say, i feel strongly for everyone in the position to take it in the rear end when the government and the crooked MSA continues to crunch down on your businesses, trust me, i have a heart and i really do give a shit about it, the problem i see, is that no matter who you talk to, no matter how much you do or donate, you seem to take 4 steps foward and then just jump 6 steps back. I have personally read and looked over all newsletters, all the associations we are asked to throw money into ,the sad thing i continue to not see is any results. Everything is based on science and the amount of harvest, until we can get flawless science (which we will probably never see) we are not going to see any change. I also get a crap load of nasty pms and remarks for my outlook on things, but from my perspective (and my opinion) making this march is not going to accomplish very much, if it does i give mad props to everyone who does it, but just like last year nothing has changed. People continue to dump tons of money in different associations (not throwing names because i dont want to hear the bitchy crying), but it has also seen no results. maybe i just turn my head and look the other way for my own reasons, but until someone can show me something that has actually been accomplished, then i will keep my quarters in my pocket, if you can show me a few steps in the right direction, prove to me that some of this donating and walking, and giving money to all different places is making a difference, then i will become a big contributor, but until then i just can not justify it by any means. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
Hutch, thanks for taking the time to point out the facts and the logic that is completely missing from jigman's comments.
I respect his right to both have and express his opinions, as I respect everyone's right to have and express an opinion. That does not, however, make his comments any less ignorant of the facts and the real situation. Having dealt with fisheries issues all of my adult life (and part of my youth) and knowing that his excuses for not getting more involved are just that, EXCUSES, makes me say to him what I say to others that post equally nonsensical comments. Whatever let's you sleep at night knowing you did nothing to fix the problem. No more pleasantries, the time for ignorance has passed my friends (and non-friends as well) Some will say "you catch more flies with sugar..." "don't alienate people from the cause...." Yadda yadda yadda. I cannot alienate someone that is NOT interested in getting involved and is NOT going to help me solve the problem we ALL are facing. One need only read the comments about "pots off the reefs" and "cape may nj" to realize that HE JUST DOES NOT GET IT! What is the point in arguing over who kills what and who catches what and where we can fish and what our size limit is and "recreational only" nonsense IF WE CANNOT FISH AT ALL??? Jigman, please understand, IF THE LAWS STOP US FROM FISHING AT ALL IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE A RECREATIONAL OR A COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN!!! No fishing allowed means NO FISHING ALLOWED. We all know (or should) that not every commercial fisherman "rapes" the ocean or "catches all the fish"or any other such nonsense. If someone truly believes that then they should not bother being at the rally for sure. However, the reality of the situation is that NO ONE will be able to fish for the species they love, be it stripers or fluke or sea bass or porgies or whatever, if something is not done about the system that is currently in place to manage our fisheries. Plain and simple. Jigman, and any others who believe as he does, we need your help. You need your help. You need our help. Only together will we ALL be able to keep fishing. You want to improve the fisheries? So do I. However, what will be the point in improving our fisheries if we cannot fish for them? Don't believe that "once the stocks are recovered my grandkids will be able to fish. BULLSHIT! The gov't already concedes that Fluke, Sea Bass and Porgies are rebuilt. Guess how many of those fisheries are currently open.......NONE!!! Cure the disease, don't just treat the symptoms. No point in arguing over how you like your eggs cooked if the government is going to take away all the eggs. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
SportfishingUSA........ I beg to differ.
SSFFF proved that the gov'ts science was WRONG on Fluke. The ONLY reason FLuke is rebuilt NOW according to the gov't is because OUR SCIENCE PROVED IT WAS CLOSER TO REBUILT THAN THEY THOUGHT IT WAS. Otherwise, FLuke would be over 20 percent further from the rebuilding target than it is right now. But guess what? Fluke is still CLOSED, or closed early, with assinine size limits and ridiculously short seasons because THE SYSTEM THAT MANAGES THE FISHERY IS FLAWED AS MUCH AS THE SCIENCE!! Science is vital, no question. But, we have reached a stage where all the science in the world cannot override the LAW. The system has reached a stage where it STIFLES THE TRUTH. It makes the facts IRRELEVANT. One need look no further than fluke, sea bass and porgies. Fisheries rebuilt ABOVE the target, but all closed. Why? Because the SYSTEM says that is what is needed. Cure the disease, don't just treat the symptoms. Science has not become less important than it was when SSFFF started what it started, it is still just as important today as it was yesterday. The difference now is that fixing the system has become as or more important than fixing the science if we wish to continue fishing! The failure of the fisheries management system is now nearly complete in that we can have all the fish in the world but not be able to catch any of them. We were allowed to catch MILLIONS more fish (yes, MILLIONS) when the stocks were considered to be rebuilding, and still allow the stock to rebuild, than we can now that they are rebuilt! Until the system is fixed all the science in the world will not stop us from being shut out of the very fisheries we helped rebuild, commercial and recreational fishermen alike. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
[QUOTE=sportfishingusa]How is occupy wall street and occupy every single city going? absolutely no where. :rolleyes:
Sportie , we disagreed on the last March . That is how we met . The occupy folks don't have an agenda . We do . If we don't try we have already failed . I can't blame you for holding out but if you wait too long then there is nothing left . One day of your time hanging out with Fellow Fishermen/Women . Is that too much to ask ? If you have no BFT trip this year why not show up ? Ask Kill and the rest of the boys to show up too . You are a Big Boy and can make your own decisions . I'm just saying that if you don't lock it up soon he'll spit it . |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
i don't understand wht we have to fight for what is already ours.i give a big thanks to all who are working and fighting.it seems to me that this war has to many fronts.1st its fluke,then sea bass now haddock were dose it end
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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I'll say this: It shouldn't have to come to this, but perhaps if party and charter boat captains/owners did something like handed out a coupon or offered some sort of small one-time discount (or any kind of deal) to those who march with them, we might get a few more guys on board with this. Some guys really can't go for one reason or another, others can easily go, some probably can but are stubborn/mislead/ignorant, and still others (like myself) are willing to sacrifice one day off from work to show support the hobby that's been a major part of my life for all of my 27 years on this planet. I personally don't feel I'm owed anything for this, but I think it'd be a fairly easy way to get some support from guys who are "on the fence" by showing the ones who do sacrifice their day for the cause some appreciation for their efforts. A major complaint from guys who marched last time has been "nothing's been done! I got nothing out of it!" I absolutely understand captains maybe not being able to do this, and the idea that this SHOULDN'T be necessary, but it's just an idea, and I'm just trying to help. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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iI am with you and realize this, everything you say is 100% correct, but is going to washington and walking in circles with signs and speaking in front of the house really going to do anything other then put a bunch of people in one spot? If you can give me 10 high powered elected officials that could promise results, i would be willing to provide my money to that sector. SSFFF has been good, i cant disagree with that, they did make noise and they did get something good and some results, but thats the only real results i have seen. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
[QUOTE=Ol Pedro]
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You right pedro, but i think there are bigger and better things that someone could figure out to do other then spend the day marching. I dont have the ability to take the day and go down there, to many other things on my plate right now, i commend the guys that take that time and fight for their rights, but i just think that it is a losing battle and if the battle is to be fought or won, there is much for realistic routes to be taken and some are already in action, but there has to be someone with some better ideas ( i know i dont have any because i am not very saavy when it comes to politics and the other nonsense) but guys like tony bogan, adam (karen ann) and people like this, they need a good plan and the support in the right areas, but i dont know how it would get done or when it would get done. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
don't we elect congressman and senators to protect our rights and freedoms.
to march in front of someone{s} to protest what they are suppose to be doing already seems allot f-ed up |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
>> A major complaint from guys who marched last time has been "nothing's been done! I got nothing out of it!"
On February 24, 2010, a three-hour rally was held in Washington DC with 5,000 fishermen, commercial and recreational united in solidarity to keep fishermen fishing. On stage during this event were two dozen legislators who promised to take the torch and carry into Congress for reform of our federal fisheries law. Meanwhile, non-governmental environmental organizations with coffers in the billions took out ads in national newspapers and lobbied extensively to stop our efforts (while many folks in the sportfishing community, including national manufacturers, stood on the sideline not knowing whether or not it was ‘proper’ to get involved with such an effort.) In 2011, EIGHT pieces of reform legislation designed to amend the Magnuson Stevens Act were finally heard in the House Natural Resources Committee, despite objection from the billion dollar environmental industry. The House is set to deal with legislation to fix Magnuson now, and the Senate will need to follow suit. Yes, it's a slow process, but I belive that significant work has been done since 2010. You guys realize it’s these billion dollar organizations against the will of the people here at work right now, correct? There’s strength in numbers – and November elections are coming, significant elections which can help chart a new course for our coastal fishing communities. >> walking in circles with signs and speaking in front of the house really going to do anything other then put a bunch of people in one spot? If you can give me 10 high powered elected officials that could promise results, i would be willing to provide my money to that sector You perhaps are unaware of what actually occurred in 2010…I’d suggest you take a look at the video releases from 2010 to understand what this event is all about, and how 2012 is expected to be bigger and better than before! Folks, please understand if this issue was as easy as Congress seeing one side of an issue and voting to protect the people as well as the fish then we'd have no reason for rallies, and no need for political action. There are many well-heeled forces acting against our local fishermen and our coastal fishing communities...some of us refuse to accept defeat without a fight! |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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No way do they give a crap about me,you or any other human on this planet! Politics has just about destroyed this great country.....Blue collar guys who just want to make a living, own a small house and raise a family can't, businessmen can't run a business because of all the BS taxes and rules made out to make their business better. Nobody waves the flag harder than me and yet I am livid over what we have become. The select few with the power telling us (the sheep) what is right. The Egyptian civilation lasted over 3,000 years, yet after less than 300 years for us, we are screwed. We had the world by the balls with our technology, industry and good old fashion family values. Where is that now? All the guys who gave thier lives so we could be free would turn in thier graves if they could hear, "Why waste my time marching" what the hell was the point!! If they didn't march, we'd all be speaking German!! I FISH, I VOTE, I FIGHT, I MARCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad: |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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Guys saying we're fighting a losing battle....that attitude, and doing NOTHING about it, is what's going to GUARANTEE that we lose and fishing as we know it becomes a thing of the past. Screw that, I'm going again. Putting in for the day off now. See you in DC. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
ron,
no one made me sign up for the marines but i did to do my part.i understand what is at stake,we have both be doing this a long time.if what you say is true and all we have left is the bottom of the pile then we need allot more than a march. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
Eddie, Agreed 100% ...
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
[quote=bunker dunker]ron,............
if what you say is true and all we have left is the bottom of the pile then we need allot more than a march.[/quote And it starts with just a tea party. Or it starts with just an idea. Or it starts with just a hunger strike. Or it starts with just a march. In addition to that march (or the second one as the case may be) is the people working to get those 8 pieces of legislation written, sponsored and (hopefully) voted on. The march on DC was but the tip of the iceberg, but it is the only thing that is PUBLIC and HIGHLY VISIBLE. But since you have not commented on any of the points made by Hutch i will ask you this: How will the "more than a march" get done if no one will even take the first step? |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
I went last time - Nice gettng this thread going early - Hopefully I can go again this year
I am already on the nut list with the Gov FISH-ON-GDubs-:cool: |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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I'm tired of my Friends and Coworkers suffering . I'll be there .
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
i have an answer tony but not one that is filled with more political bs.its not just or rights about fishing but all our right as free men in a free country.
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Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
>> its not just or rights about fishing but all our right as free men in a free country
And that's why I'm going Dunker - this is not just about my right to fish, but my right as an American to be free!!! I Fish, I Vote - I MARCH!!! |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
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How can we do the "much more" that is needed, better yet, how can ANYONE do the "much more that is needed if people will not even take the first step. I know, you have served this country (thank you for that, honestly) but the fact remains that we must all do whatever we can as often as we can and forever if necessary. I am taking this step. Many others are as well. Do not take this step if you feel that way, I do not begrudge anyone doing what they think is right, even if that means doing nothing. However, please do not belittle my efforts because you (mistakenly IMO) do not believe they are worthwhile or will be fruitful. Easy to talk about what "else" needs to be done when doing nothing is the course you choose. (PS.... this has NOTHING to do with your service to this country, I am talking about THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE) |
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Nothing is free.. in one way or another.. we pay!!! |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
like i said "i thank all that have marched and are doing what they can".i'm simply saying imo that its not enough.i agree tony that no one wants to be the person to throw the first stone.we can't beat them with money and we can't trust them to do the right thing,even after they build a platform around it.you can sit there and say i haven't answerd the question or maybe the answer that i'm giving isn't what anyone wants to here but math dosen't lie so add up all the things they have taken or changed in the last ten years.i
respect all opinions and i respect all the hard working peeps on this site.when over half of the population of this country dosen't think the president is doing his job maybe it time for a big change. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
Nils,
Once again we are called to March to save what little we have left. I am a 3rd generation fishermen, I love what I do, I've respected and appreciated all that has been tossed my way so that the future could enjoy. Yet, here we are once again fighting just to survive. I haven't made a pimple on a ducks ass taking fish from the bio-mass of the species I've targeted for 34 years, but I feel I'm being made to be a criminal and labeled as a non-important. Catch Shares, Closed Area's!! Why, as the little guy in this picture should I and future generations have to suffer for an adjenda? To loose a way of life because someone says they can do it to me is a slap in the face to every hard working American on the sea. Who knows better than us what we need to survive and keep the industry growing? Not the politicians, not the Scientiest....the guys who live it and see it every day, US. When the habitat is constantly being destroyed by dumping of mud for miles over beautifull rock bottom..were do the fish go? Salmon for centuries have gone back to the same streams to spawn only to find a Dam, Bridge or slough for them to manuever....Do you think OCEAN fish do the same? Never got any PHD'S or documents on biology, but I was raised in an area and taught by a local clammer and fishermen who knew all about habitat, food chain and every thing else that made this work....yet, because I don't have THOSE documents, I don't matter. The folks that do have these documents have been corrupted and forced to choose a side, unfortunatly they have gone for the money and lost everything that they beleaved in, in the first place. They have lost thier passion for saving the Habitat, keeping an equal balance on mother nature and have sold out at the cost of my livelyhood. Sad to think my son will never see and enjoy what has been a beautifull way to live life..........Capt.Ron __________________ "I Fish, I Vote, I Marched" |
U.s. Coastal Fishermen To Rally In Dc March 21
RFA Helps Organize Efforts To "Keep Fishermen Fishing"
In another historic show of solidarity, U.S. recreational and commercial fishermen will gather near the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2012 in an organized demonstration supporting sensible reform of the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act). According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) which is helping organize this year's event, permitting efforts have been underway for weeks and official details about the organized protest will be made public in the coming days. A rally on February 24, 2010, under a United We Fish™ banner, brought some 5,000 recreational, commercial and party/charter vessel owners and folks in associated businesses from all over the country to Washington. More than two dozen members of the Senate and the House of Representatives took time out from their busy schedules to address the crowd. The March 21 rally is being billed as Keep Fishermen Fishing, and once again will unite the commercial and recreational sectors under one common message, "reform Magnuson now." "Those who didn't attend or perhaps chose not to support the original rally are mostly unaware of the great things which were accomplished in between those two winter storms of 2010," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio. "Of the two dozen members of Congress who addressed our troops at the rally, several top legislators pushed to have Magnuson reform initiatives prioritized in Congress which is why the House Natural Resources Committee is now reviewing eight different pieces of fisheries reform legislation." "Our coastal fisheries have been getting national headlines in the past two years, and our Keep Fishermen Fishing organizers are hoping to keep that momentum going forward in order to reform Magnuson now," Donofrio said. Signed into law in 1976, NOAA Fisheries describes the 36-year-old federal fisheries law this way, "most notably, the Magnuson-Stevens Act aided in the development of the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing." In recent years however, rally organizers claim the Magnuson Stevens Act has been transformed from its original intent into a weapon employed by a handful of mega-foundations and the anti-fishing ENGOs they support to drive fishermen off the water. "Real-time biological overfishing is not occurring in most U.S. fisheries today, as fishermen know it," Donofrio said. "We're being held to a statutory overfishing definition which has nothing to do with science, and that needs to be changed in the law." Citing a continuous stream of regulatory requirements which have led to unnecessary and unacceptable restrictions in demonstrably sustainable fisheries, organizers say the American public is being denied access to the food and fun of this tremendous natural resource. "We've watched access to vital coastal fisheries like cod, summer flounder, black sea bass, red snapper, amberjack, gag grouper and others virtually destroyed during the past 5 years, this is clearly a huge jobs issue which has already been recognized by House Speaker John Boehner," he said referencing the speaker's blog site at www.speaker.gov/Blog/Default.aspx?postid=266385. "We are seeking bipartisan congressional support to fix our law, to put folks to work and specifically to keep our fishermen fishing," Donofrio said. Most U.S. fisheries are in better shape biologically than they've been for a generation or more. In fact, last year NOAA Fisheries scientists announced that 84% of U.S. fish stocks studied for fishing activity were not experiencing overfishing as of 2010. However, despite the heavy sacrifices on the part of coastal fishermen, the same federal agency in charge of managing the resource has been using a broken law to mete out broken promises upon these constituents to ratchet down regulations as fisheries continue to rebuild. As was the case in 2010, organizers are anticipating foundation-funded ENGO lobbying disguised as a grassroots fishermen's effort aimed at marginalizing the Keep Fishermen Fishing rally. The message that anti-fishing groups will be relaying to Congress is that truly conservation-minded recreational, commercial and party/charter fishermen fully support the Magnuson Stevens Act as it is today and oppose any efforts to amendment it. Keep Fishermen Fishing organizers however say that the truly conservation-minded fishermen won't be those walking the halls of Congress trying to sell their anti-fishing message because of foundation/ENGO funding, they'll be the people who are there on their own dime and who are committed to returning to a federal fisheries management system that recognizes that they and the fishing communities they support are as important as the fish are. While final details of the 2012 Keep Fishermen Fishing rally are still being put in place, state organizers from the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf regions have already begun coordinated efforts to schedule buses into Washington DC on March 20th and 21st. Those interesting in organizing a bus effort or getting travel information for joining the rally in DC should bookmark www.keepfishermenfishing.com. You can also call the RFA headquarters at 888-564-6732 for additional information or to learn how to lend your support for the 3-21-12 rally for fishermen's rights. Follow the rally efforts by typing Keep Fishermen Fishing or Recreational Fishing Alliance into the search bar at Facebook.com (the RFA Facebook group page currently stands at more than 2,300 members and growing!) Click here to donate exclusively towards national rally efforts on March 21, 2012. About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
For all of you naysayers, what would it take or what would have to happen for all of you to join in on March 21st.
Why not take this opportunity, to come be seen and heard, and hear from the HORSES MOUTH, as to what the problems are, how they are being addressed, and what are the short and long term prospects. Learn how each and everyone of us can make a difference. See who in Congress is with us, and who is against us. ( I learned my representative is being funded by PEW) Not what I wanted to hear, but at least I now know how to vote. This is not just for us, but for generations too come, COME MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
Henry,
I will never forget that day as long as I live!!! Tony Bogan still firing questions as we were being shoved out the door:mad: As much disdain I have for politicians, on this one I gave in and said "Maybe this guy will make a difference" Christ was I wrong. He didn't want to hear any truths but gave us 15 minutes of his valuable time because he had too. Thank you Rush Holt, you may be a genius and all that other crap I read about but you are no more than another "SELL OUT" to your constituents. |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
I was a participant in the first march , and I'll go to this one as well.
I sincerely hope we have a huge showing , at this point that's all we can hope for to get somerequired attention of politicians that are indifferent to our cause! If we fail to show in numbers then we can only blame ourselves for fisheries policies that will surely not go our way!! Mark that day & attend !!! |
Re: Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
Quote:
It would take some change, who the heck is going to see you marching around? you think obamalama is going to come outside and be like, "shit, look at all those people, we need to change this and change it right now"... no, it is nothing more then a educational seminar to let people know that fishermen are done, they are fed up, they want change, but unfortunately, other then the local bum sitting on pennsylvania ave drinking and 40 of mad dog and stealing half smoked cigs, no one is really getting anything from it, who is listening? it is televised? spending all this time and efforts and money, why not pay someone to televise the entire thing and broadcast it all over the 7 oclock news!?!... I think we should all go and throw money to the gay rights activists, they seem to be getting the job done on a higher level, every state is starting to let them marry, im sure they could find the right people and raise enough money to get someone to actually do something. NOW HAVE AT IT LADIES, GET ONE ME! LOL |
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