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What Choice and When?
A good bit of interest has been generated in recent months for support in rebuilding the American Fisheries Act. The circumstances surrounding impacts imposed by the well-known Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act, revised, in January of 2007 appear to be overly restrictive. Whether the impact of these revisions were unintentional or the original intent was lost in the clouds of political fervor seems to be a major issue.
If the government is acting on behalf of those they represent, where then lies the discontent? As it is presented, there are a good many unintended impacts that are overly restrictive through management of the act itself. Unrealistic deadlines based on poor data are forcing recreational and commercial fishermen to become disillusioned by those who claim to represent their interests. Many have chosen to take their grievances further than the dockside roundtable. They are a force to be reckoned with and their numbers are great.
Their stand is well-founded and their actions supported by others who directly or indirectly are affected by these current proposals. The elimination of small family businesses, an increase in unemployment and having an impact on the right of consumers to choose where they purchase fresh seafood -- just these alone will have a devastating impact on coastal communities.
But there is more. Anyone who remotely assigns themselves the benefits of choice in recreational, commercial, social or community posturing as it relates to the fishing environment needs to be aware. Read the latest restrictions posed and or addressed for your benefit. Pull the latest fishing publication from the shelf, and seemingly everywhere you will find a reference to this challenge to individual rights and a tradition founded long before legislation, in all their infinite wisdom, decided it was time for change.
This is a time for solutions and responsive politics, not splinter groups with their own private agendas. We need to look beyond what was and join together for what can be, a positive change that will benefit everyone. Compromise is a big part of reality, but make any compromise with the knowledge that your partner is one who is serving your best interest based on sound scientific facts.
Reference the following to become more aware of the latest ploy to undermine your rights and those restrictions they wish to impose. Action is needed now that will address the excessive regulations being forced by the Reauthorized Magnuson Stevens Act (RMSA).
• http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/news/story?id=4897071
• http://fs16.formsite.com/FixMagnusonNow/form793561462/
• http://www.capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/issues/alert/?alertid=14653146
• http://unitedwefish.blogspot.com/
Are you aware that one of the proposals involves a closure that directly relates to the snapper-grouper fishery, a 3,500-square mile fishing closure off South Carolina (part of a 9,700-square mile closure from a region off Florida to that of South Carolina)?
Some delegates are helping our cause and have co-sponsored bills: Tom Davis (Beaufort), Rep. Thad Viers (Myrtle Beach) and Senators Ronnie Cromer (Newberry), Ray Cleary (Georgetown), Chip Campsen (Charleston) and John Land (Clarendon).
Contact your representative and encourage their support of the Flexibility in Rebuilding the American Fisheries Act. Both the House and the Senate need to be contacted with your concerns. Reference the SC Senate Bill adopted S.1095 -- which is the Senate version of two bills in the SC General Assembly -- and House Bill H.4497. Both were amended to replace language directing the SCDNR representative on the the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) to vote against any area closures off South Carolina's coast. Get in touch with your House members and ask for their support of S.1095 as well as the original House version, H.4497.
Those bills relating to over-fishing status are House of Representatives Bill HR1584 and Senate Bill S1255, both which need amending.
Further reference:
• http://www.fishnet-usa.com/FlexibilityLetter.pdf
• http://www.joinrfa.org/Press/UnitedWeFish_121609.pdf
• http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
• http://fishnetlite.blogspot.com/
And still further is an endorsement by the National Association of Charterboat Operators which reads in part: "The Magnuson Stevens Act and subsequent National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) restrictions have had a crippling impact on both the recreational and commercial fishing industries and are in dire need of revision. On February 24, 2010, a united gathering of recreational and commercial fishermen and fishermen's associations -- United We Fish -- is scheduled on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to rally support for an amendment to the Magnuson/Stevens legislation through the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009."
Will your voice be one that is heard or will you become part of the silent majority? This is a time to act to preserve more of your heritage and a tradition long ago founded before the impulses of government decided they should become involved. There is good and bad in every act that is focused primarily to make things better for us as individuals or as a whole. It is our job to be responsible citizens, be aware of the facts and act accordingly. Doing nothing and then complaining is little more than idle chatter.
If you wish to comment on this column directly you may contact me at rodcrafter@islc.net.
