Gentlemen,
I have spoken with several members of the SAFMC today. All of the members I have spoken with, so far, have indicated that they generally DON’T like the idea of VMS. They also indicated what would be helpful in helping the council in making the “right” decision. Right now, this is primarily a commercial fishing issue. I know it could turn into a recreational issue, but for now, the council looks at this as an immediate threat to commercial fishermen. These are the people that the council wants to hear from. These are the people that need to be writing the letters and coming to the hearings. Especially the 12 or so double license holders (charter and commercial). Focusing on the economic impact is what the council members are most concerned about. Also, they have been inundated with “copy and paste” emails, which have been helpful, but it’s time to start putting your own personal information in your correspondence. Tell them how this personally effects you…especially if you’re a commercial fishermen. I am doing what I can at the state level to stop this madness, but each of you has to also do what you can. They need evidence to justify their decisions. I think they’re looking for a reason to vote no, we just have to give it to them. Use your same previous contact info for each council member and tell them your story and how this will effect you. Make sure everyone realizes the connection between VMS and MPA’s that Phin has mentioned in previous posts. They were concerned about the issue of declaring one’s target before getting underway. Make sure to make that point.
yellabird, thanks for the message, but it affects everyone, not just commercial guys. The commercial guys have all of your favorite fishing\diving spots and all of my spots. If VMS passes even just for the commercials, then the federal government will have our waypoints too. No secrets anymore! We cannot let that pass…
We cannot allow a national database of fishing waypoints to happen. That would destroy our fishery.
It is not just an immediate “threat” to commercial fishermen. It is an immediate threat to the Constitution!
Squid Row 2
22 Shamrock WA
Flounder Pounder 2
16 Sandpiper Skiff
I understand it’s not just a threat to commercial guys. But you have to listen to what the council is asking for. This is the way the political game is played. They are wanting enough evidence from COMMERCIAL fishermen to warrant a ‘no’ vote. They are telling us right now that they are discounting the recreational fishermen’s robo-emails. Tell your commercial friends to get serious about this. We can use tact or we can suffer the consequences. Convincing the council that they should listen to recreational fishermen regarding VMS is lost breath. Concentrate on what’s effective.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
quote:What commercial fishermen? I can name 1. There are only around 600 snapper\grouper permits in all of the SAFMC. And there will only be a subset of that number that are actually "active", and of the active ones, only a subset of those will respond...
Originally posted by yellabirdI understand it’s not just a threat to commercial guys. But you have to listen to what the council is asking for. This is the way the political game is played. They are wanting enough evidence from COMMERCIAL fishermen to warrant a ‘no’ vote. They are telling us right now that they are discounting the recreational fishermen’s robo-emails. Tell your commercial friends to get serious about this. We can use tact or we can suffer the consequences. Convincing the council that they should listen to recreational fishermen regarding VMS is lost breath. Concentrate on what’s effective.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
That’s like waiting for polar bears to chime in on the effects of global warming.
I understand what you are saying, but I believe it’s completely BOGUS that they can ignore recreational fishermen. It’s OUR FISHERY TOO and we should have a say so as to whether or not the government collects our waypoints by forcing VMS on the commercial sector.
What’s next, they are going to talk about opening up LONGLINING for bottom fish too and they will only listen to ■■■■■■■■ from commercial guys?
Who gave them the right to determine what ■■■■■■■■ THEY THINK is important and what they want to discard?</font id=“red”> Isn’t that what got us in this mess to begin with? That they can pick and choose what they see fit? If recreational fishermen felt the need to submit comments on this issue then it IS THEIR ISSUE and THEIR ■■■■■■■■ NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED!!!
It’s actuall
I understand you’re angry. We’re all frustrated with this process. But let’s try to focus and become an effective body. Here are the facts (at least how I see them): many members want to say no to VMS. They feel like they can’t say no without overwhelming evidence of commercial fishermen’s hardships. If we provide them with that evidence, they will say no. Now, let’s do just that. I called and stated the case for our snapper/grouper permit today, and as a Representative of this state. Tomorrow, I will be calling the 10 or so commercial fishermen that I know in Murrells Inlet and Georgetown. I encourage each of you to do the same. They all need to show up at the hearings. If 30 commercial guys show up and state the case, I think we’ll win this battle.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
ps, even DC is on the fence with this. He can be persuaded. Don’t lose hope.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
I agree with Skinne. We should stand shoulder to shoulder with commercial fishers and present ourselves as FISHERMEN! Any division in our ranks will hurt the cause. Remember how the troll charter guys stayed silent (with a few exceptions) during the red snapper disaster? The commercial fleet is in shambles because of over-regulation. Few are left to speak. Once the commercials are burdened with VMS the enviros will use the “equal protection” argument .
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:What commercial fishermen? I can name 1. There are only around 600 snapper\grouper permits in all of the SAFMC. And there will only be a subset of that number that are actually "active", and of the active ones, only a subset of those will respond...
Originally posted by yellabirdI understand it’s not just a threat to commercial guys. But you have to listen to what the council is asking for. This is the way the political game is played. They are wanting enough evidence from COMMERCIAL fishermen to warrant a ‘no’ vote. They are telling us right now that they are discounting the recreational fishermen’s robo-emails. Tell your commercial friends to get serious about this. We can use tact or we can suffer the consequences. Convincing the council that they should listen to recreational fishermen regarding VMS is lost breath. Concentrate on what’s effective.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
That’s like waiting for polar bears to chime in on the effects of global warming.
I understand what you are saying, but I believe it’s completely BOGUS that they can ignore recreational fishermen. It’s OUR FISHERY TOO and we should have a say so as to whether or no
Yellabird,
I agree that the commercial fisherman need to come forward and speak. Unfortunately this IS how they will break it down. If we do not get them to come forward and speak, it will be their doom. The dominoe effect will then be several fold:
- They will shutdown most of the areas that all fishermen use.
- It will be eaier in 6 months to a year to target Charter Boats only.
- After that it will be the recreational fishermen and they will then be alone.
That is why we are adamant. There own plan going forward says that they will incorporate anybody that goes offshore into the VMS program.
Yellabird. You’re going to lose!! You are dealing with people who have MONEY. Unless you can generate a lot more than them you will lose.
I’m sorry. I’ve fished offshore since '87. I’ve given lots of money to support real SCIENCE. And now I’m done.
Some of you guys seem to think that giving up your rights is like giving up your rights to have a wet dream.
quote:
Originally posted by yellabirdI understand it’s not just a threat to commercial guys. But you have to listen to what the council is asking for. This is the way the political game is played. They are wanting enough evidence from COMMERCIAL fishermen to warrant a ‘no’ vote. They are telling us right now that they are discounting the recreational fishermen’s robo-emails. Tell your commercial friends to get serious about this. We can use tact or we can suffer the consequences. Convincing the council that they should listen to recreational fishermen regarding VMS is lost breath. Concentrate on what’s effective.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
The point is to engage people who are otherwise apathetic. It therefore isn’t lost breath, so I have to respectfully disagree on that point alone. I do agree that commercials’ voices aren’t loud enough yet.
Skinnee’s point about how the data from commercial monitoring will be used is cometely valid, and for a council member to ignore it because of it coming from a recreational fisherman is a total cop out. We have always commented on regulations that affect commercial guys. We are in the same fishery, and it is OUR tax money being spent on this council, these agencies, and any subsidization of VMS implementation.
The thought of council members being dismissive towards “robo emails” or any other opinions from recreational fishermen ought to infuriate you all.
Btw, I also agree that a personal MSG is more effective than a canned MSG. The problem is that folks WON’T do it. It may not make sense, but a lot of people are intimidated to communicate with “higher authority,” because they are afraid they’ll say something wrong or won’t say it well. It isn’t as easy as people think sometimes for people to express what they’d like. They ne
Stephen, I am thankful we have you as a resource and appreciate the information and insight. I understand that we need to concentrate on what works best, but are there any other angles that may also be effective that can incorporate more of the population than just the commercial fisherman? What about the argument that the VMS will affect the cost and/or availability of locally caught fish? What about the costs each taxpayer will incur for these systems? I’ve sent emails and written my own letters, but I am not friends with any commercial fisherman, so I can’t help there. Is there anything else the recreational fisherman or taxpayer/consumer can do at this point?
Stephen, don’t get me wrong. I totally support you and agree with what you are doing. I just think it’s a mistake to let them “filter” the ■■■■■■■■ and not hold them accountable for it. Not only is it wrong, and should be illegal, it set’s a precedent that they are allowed to do that any time they want. What emails will they be allowed to ignore next time?
It’s like talking about abortion and the government saying, “Sorry people, we will only listen to women that are currently pregnant. All other ■■■■■■■■ is deleted”. Does that sounds reasonable? It’s not like commercial fishermen are using a different fishery, and it’s not like they are the only ones effected by VMS. We are ALL affected by VMS even if it’s only implemented on commercial guys. The government is stealing intellectual property from us and using MY TAX DOLLARS TO PAY FOR VMS… How DARE THEM tell me my ■■■■■■■■ is not warranted when they want to use MY TAX DOLLARS to pay for this unconstitutional program…
The NMFS wants to SUBSIDIZE the cost of VMS for commercial fisherman using monies collected from recreational fisherman in the form of taxes and we don’t get a voice? Why don’t we also pay for their fuel, bait, and buy them new vessels? Would we be allowed to speak up then? Is a $3000 GIFT the limit in which we are allowed to complain?
quote:
Originally posted by realfish01Stephen, I am thankful we have you as a resource and appreciate the information and insight. I understand that we need to concentrate on what works best, but are there any other angles that may also be effective that can incorporate more of the population than just the commercial fisherman? What about the argument that the VMS will affect the cost and/or availability of locally caught fish? What about the costs each taxpayer will incur for these systems? I’ve sent emails and written my own letters, but I am not friends with any commercial fisherman, so I can’t help there. Is there anything else the recreational fisherman or taxpayer/consumer can do at this point?
Yes there is. Call your State Rep or Senator and tell them to support my resolution opposing VMS.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
I have a stake in both the rec and commercial fishery. I have been to all these meetings for many years now. I have made hundreds of comments for BOTH fisheries. How about rattling a few cages of the hospitality industry, tackle shops, and local boat builders. I can only name one tackle shop that has been there through it all with us. I want to continue selling local seafood! I want to be able to go fishing on my days off and catch sea bass, grouper, and red snapper. I agree 100% with Skinny in voicing my displeaure with the council filtering comments. These are appointed positions, and we need to stay on top of all politicians that have a say so as to who is on the board. VMS is going to be used for one purpose only, to doccument where we fish, that is it in a nut shell. They can say all they want to but we know it will be uysed to implement more MPA’s off our coast. We told you this was coming 5 or 6 years back, and we were told by a very prominent recreational group to stop crying that the “sky is falling”. Now that rec group is seeing the light and trying to jump on board again. Next time you walk into a local tackle shop to spend your money…ASK WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO HELP US!
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
D.C. Has always acted like he was on the fence - right before he fell asleep at scoping meetings - His voting record speaks for its self.
Letters written.
quote:
Originally posted by yellabirdps, even DC is on the fence with this. He can be persuaded. Don’t lose hope.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
How about instead of requiring VMS for fishermen, legislation is introduced that requires personal VMS for council members!
Let’s strap 24 hour monitoring devices on all of them and publish their daily locations, activities and travels
Of course they will have to pay for it themselves and we promise not to turn this info over to anyone and only use it to make sure they are not committing any crimes. After all, if they aren’t doing anything wrong they have nothing to worry about.
Squid Row 2
22 Shamrock WA
Flounder Pounder 2
16 Sandpiper Skiff
Dam “Squid Row” I like your thinking. I 2nd that!!!. But it’s a true sham that this way of fishing has hit, the gulf coast and alaska… Tight Lines.
