Letter: Surf-fishing ban has no sound basis

My wife and I, both avid surf fishers, have been coming to Hilton Head Island since the 1960s and became residents here last year. We were alarmed to read about the proposed surf-fishing ban, based on the misguided fear that surf fishing causes shark attacks.

In order for the government to discriminate against any defined group, in this case surf fishers, there must be a "rational basis" for so doing. But there isn't one shred of evidence that fishing causes shark attacks. Thus, the surf-fishing ban would, I believe, be open to legal challenge as arbitrary and capricious.

What if the next popular fear is that shark attacks are caused by shrimp boats or by people splashing in the surf? Will the town ban those activities, too?

Nor does the proposed ban pass the common-sense test; if surf fishing causes shark attacks, why are there zero reports of sharks attacking surf fishers who are closest to the "cause" when they wade into the surf to cast?

Instead of a fishing ban, let's dance on the beach in a circle singing anti-shark chants. It will be just as effective.

Blair Lee

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Letter: Surf-fishing ban has no sound basis."