Pres. Bush protects Redfish & Linesiders!

[GALAZIO]

Read about it...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...0071020-3.html

JMHO... I am all for this! Now, let's look at other species to add to the list.

[gottaflylee]

GALAZIO, Thanks for this link, I had heard this was in the works and was comming...not sure if I agree with all of it or not. It is a try to help on some part of it but, aren't the Stripers and Red Drum are already protected form sale or possession in federal waters...at least in NC waters.
Now I'm only speaking about the Red Drum here but seems to me that if we are worried so much about the large marsh nets hurting the Red Drum then what needs to be done is prohibit the use of those large marsh nets. At the same time I also under stand that the large marsh nets are what I/ we call Flounder nets and that the Flounder are in a distressed/ weakened state. Now by removing these type of nets...wouldn't that be helping both species at the same time.

Lastly, we have to remember...we Americans have a very healthy appetite for our seafood...look at us here on this board ... The more restrictions we put on the fisheries the more we will have to go to out side sources for it and the more we will have to pay for it. From my thinking...management, good management, is the key to keeping our fisheries alive. Seems to me that we need to take baby steps, the right baby steps and look at it to see if it is working.

[clt_capt]

I hope this is a first step towards real management of our fisheries - Based on scientific fact, but I'm not really holding my breath.

I have seen some very positive results from the Florida net ban.

I hope the reds and stripers don't turn out having WMD

[captcl]

I'm going to start now! The stripers were already protected! We here in Md. saw to that with commercial and rec sacrifice from 1985 to 1990. The reds got theirs from the Fla. net ban years ago. HE IS NOT RELAVENT HERE!
He could go along way to protecting our borders and ports but goes for the photo-op and lip service. Give me a break! So have at it boys! If it were'nt for Maryland you might not have so many stripers!

[GALAZIO]

Lee.. Right, Wrong, Left, Right...it doesn't matter...

I see it as a step in the right direction for the recreational fishermen (including the sportfishing industry). Are there "loopholes"...I'm sure there are. Does it suck and the SOB should be 100% focused on the borders and war? What a croc! There's plenty of things needing attention. The LunarRats want to steer everything towards the War & Border if Bush does anything outside of the box (Why, because they didn't think about it first...but then again, their answer to most anything is: turn /run/hide and let others once I'm out of office deal with the crap).

Look, dragging nets here in the GOM has nearly wiped out a Snapper fishery and has all but wiped out the Tarpon fishery by removing the items they like in food chain. The Commercial Fishing industry has managed to rake the floor of the bay and gulf as smooth as the bunkers at Augusta National out to 30 miles removing any growth of coral, pile of rocks...grasses...everything. Do the Shrimpers like that any licenses that expire are being bought by CCA to keep them out of the water? I'm sure they are pissed...but I'm pissed that I have to run 35 miles to reach fishable water. So... I guess you know where I stand.

I know nothing is perfect...but it's nice to know someone is thinking about the fisheries other than Green Peace.

[flatbottom]

First step of many
Increase the food source for the rock and reds. This will fall over to the larger predator species that seasonally frequent the coasts. We all know how to do that. It has been discussed here and there before.
Clean up the water sheds these fish live in. We all know how to do that also. It has also been discussed here and there.
I still believe there are generations skipped in the counting process. Purposely? who knows?
I hope George and his pop love fishing as much as we do. Maybe they have a secret bait or lure they want to share. I know a boat in the Chesapeake that will put a hurtin on their arms catchin rockfish. Josh, John, Marty I miss ya guys

thanks for the link GALAZIO

[ultangler]

They've been protected (from both commercial and recreational) in the EEZ for over a decade; CaptCl is right: photo op, lots of spin.