A childhood dream come true

[dsimsay]

Over 50 years ago my father took me saltwater fishing for the first time. I knew back then that this was the sport for me. As a young child I built paper model sport fishing boats and had a play marina in our basement. I dreamt of someday owning a sport fishing boat of my own.
Fast forward 50 years - life has been good to me. I have recently moved to Maine and have purchased my life-long dream, my own sportfisherman. I intend to tuna fish - sounds good so far.
The problem - the bait fish stocks are gone, without bait fish to feed on there won't be any tuna to catch.
Blue fin tuna are an apex predator, the top of their food chain. Some says they are the most powerful fish in the sea. They can grow to weigh over a thousand pounds.
It is widely believed that existing international tuna fishing regulations are not effectively managing the population. Many believe that politics and not science rules the fishing industry.
I am fortunate that I will be fishing for tuna for pleasure and not trying to make a living at it. I empathize with those who attempt to make a living from the sea.
If I catch a blue fin tuna it will be the thrill of a life time. If I don’t catch one it will still be a great day at sea.
If the commercial fisherman berthed next to me in the marina doesn’t catch fish, or lobster, or scallops or whatever his target catch his family will suffer. His livelihood is dependent upon sound fisheries management, based on accurate science and not biased by political pressures.
I fully support funding programs that will encourage collaboration between the fisheries scientists, both recreational and commercial fisherman as well as those whose livelihood are dependent upon sound fisheries management.
---Tight Lines---

[Big Fish Billy]

Come on Mainers...Post Up.......

[hapctrails]

Come on Mainers...Post Up.......

Its been the little fish for me lately. Mummichogs, silversides and sandlances in Penobscot Bay, making sure their shallow water habitats don't get zonked by pollution or inappropriate dredging.