My 16 your old son decided last year that he wanted to go into Marine Biology…after he has talked about a career in medicine for years. For the sake of making a better living, I wish he would go into medicine but ultimately, we all have to do what makes us happy. These remarks (generalizations) about Marine Biologists are a bit disturbing. Yes, it sounds as though the young man mentioned probably has a narrow view of his field right now, but that doesn’t mean his opinions and expertise won’t change/improve as he becomes more worldly.
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Originally posted by igbillyGreetings Mr. Longbearded1: Since you hang out with Mark Brown I know you must be OK. As one who tries to follow the fishing debate I must say I am confused.I would love to hear the thoughts of an objective SC marine biologist on the state of the fishery.Would you (in laymans terms)do us the honor?
+1 I would love to hear this…
Thanks but no thanks, because I know ahead of time what the outcome will be. I have seen these discussions turn ugly very fast and I am not willing to post anything other than what I posted above. I am retired and continue to work in a fishing related business that is affected by all the changes that come down the pipeline. I will say this however, if you want change don’t deal with DNR, get in touch with your legislator, they rule the roost so to speak and nothing will happen in S.C. unless they sign off on it, for better or worse, most of the time the latter.
Thank you.Sadly I understand.
LB1 you are right, that statement was too broad and totally out of line, there are some really good people at the SCDNR and I know everyone you mentioned and they have been dedicated to helping successfully manage and protect our states natural resources.
I just get really frustrated at a lot of the bureaucracies associated with the federal management issues and how SOME biologist NOT ALL will NOT listen to reason.
I think the current Black Sea Bass managment rebuilding plan could possibly be the biggest screw up I have ever seen and it really frustrates me.
I apologize for my statement and any misunderstanding!
Mark-Your reputation in the fishing community and your willingness to spend your own time and money to try and help the entire fishing community speaks volumes more than that one statement above. I understand your frustration, hope a great Sunday!
He was told by someone who he trusts(most likely one of his teachers, or an older colleague)that a 3-pound lobster is huge…and he believed it.
Ignorance in, ignorance out.
In my experience, someone with a scholastic background in a specific field doesn’t mean they are an expert in that field.
You were much kinder than I would have been.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
So a third year undergraduate student is now a marine biologist and represents how they all think?
Get your head out of your arse Skinny.
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=127204
perfect example…
.
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”
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Originally posted by fishcrazyOuch skinneej that hurts my aspiring marine biologist feelings, just messing with you man. I am in my second year working on my masters in Marine Biology. I am hoping to be with DNR when finished, hopefully they have some type of an increase in salary. They lose some of the best due to this issue, but we still have many dedicated intelligent individuals working for the state. Anyways, I digress.
Another issue is you get people from Ohio or some other land locked state coming down here wanting to be a marine biologist, but they have never even been on the water! It is insane how many people couldn’t even name a handful of the local fish species, they are somewhat better now. My personal favorite is when they first realize they get sea sick. I hunt, fish, spearfish, whatever I can do to get outside and have been my entire life. I am lucky to have had the opportunities and the experiences. I believe you can learn more from experiencing it first hand than reading it from a book. Even then I do not make crazy statements like I have been there and done that or know it all, I am still young and have much to learn. O-yeah as far as the budget goes unless you are a fed, you are overworked, underpaid, and understaffed. We do the best we can with what we have available (better than the feds do it), it would be awesome if they would throw us a few more bones. Unfortunately, some research is better than no research. Not all of us are clueless Johnny Ohioians, and I was not trying to be a smart ass skinneej.
And sells we do catch snapper in the traps, they caught one a few weeks ago around 30lbs. I think around 50 total were landed in a single cruise, yeah I know not a big sample size. Agreed that it is definetly not the best method to catch them, we do some hook and line sampling to catch larger reef species. We also now have cameras on the
quote:yakman72, please see my post to fishcrazy. It applies to you as well. I'm not knocking the profession. I'm knocking the people that are in the profession, and honestly, in the back of my minds, I'm picturing the federal guys when I type this...
Originally posted by yakman72Thanks… i’ll try to keep that in mind when I go to school to become one. That is my career choice.
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
Again, it’s really up to you whether you want to be a dumbass or not. You can be the 80% that get their “knowledge” by following other’s literature, and plugging numbers into other people’s formulas, or you can be an innovator.
The truth is, federal fisheries management has no track record. It’s only been around for a few decades and there is no way to “check the answer” in a sterile environment. If something “worked”, they have no idea if it worked because of their decision making, or merely coincidence from something that happened in the environment at the same time that gave them positive effects. That means that over the next 100 years, the federal fisheries managers of the future will be laughing at what the guys are doing today, just like we laugh at the computers that we used 10 years ago.
So, here is your chance… Be an innovator… Push the envelope… PROVE ME WRONG…
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Originally posted by longbearded1Lots of MIGHTY bold statements made here. I worked for SCDNR for thirty one years, ending my career as a Wildlife Biologist II and I can tell you first hand there are an awful lot of dedicated people looking out for the resources of S.C. I had the great pleasure of working with people like Dr. Charles Wenner, Bill Roumillat, Glenn Ulrich, Mel Bell and many others who don’t have any other agenda other than the welfare of the resource
Longbeard, first of all, I hope you realize that in my initial post I did say that there were a few around Charleston that I have respect for. I hope you realize that YOU were one of the ones I was talking about! In general, I don’t have any gripes with SCDNR. I give you guys an A rating overall. You guys have done a phenominal job. I’ve also talked to Mel Bell, Bob Martore, Robert Boyles, Amy Dukes, and a several other’s who I don’t know their names. I’ve experienced nothing less than genuine professionalism, interest, patience, etc with them. Honestly, I am still shocked how easy it is to get them on the phone and how willing they are to hear you out. Heck, as you know, I even came and spoke at a board meeting in Charleston and again, I can’t say enough about that experience and the gratitude that I have for their open-minded approach to hear an opinion from the community. Anyway, I realize that I threw a big handful of sand there, but you weren’t really the intended target. However, I have found that sometimes it’s harder to be ignored when you incorporate a little theatrical edge…
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I stayed as long as I did because I truly loved the work, the last twenty years I worked on Artificial Reefs and I can
A few other notes about fishery management…
- I doubt that the “fish models” used to make state decisions are much different than those used at the federal level. I would think that the “science” applied is fairly similar. I’m guessing that the differce is:
<> The guys at the state level are empowered to do more (i.e. restrictions, leverage waddell center, build reefs, rebuild oyster beds, etc). So, if they were building a house, they have a full gamut of tools and resources: Drills, hammers, saws, screws, nails, levels, bricks, mortar, cement, etc…
<> The guys at the federal level only have ONE TOOL… Restrict (bag limits, season closures, etc). So, if they were building a house, they only have one tool (hammer). Imagine how hard it would be to build a house if all you had was a hammer…
<> The guys at the state level don’t RELY on “science” ALONE. They also incorporate “best practices”, “common sense”, “trial and error”.
<> The guys at the federal level put all of their eggs in one basket. - The guys at the state level truly understand what a “BOTTLENECK” is when it comes to solving a problem.
<> They take other things into consideration (i.e. lack of habitat, coastal development, fisherman impact, ect.) They attempt to alleviate bottlenecks (see “Oyster rebuilding program”)
<> The guys at the federal level only understand one POTENTIAL bottleneck (i.e. fisherman). Even if that POTENTIAL bottleneck is NOT the true bottleneck, they attempt to “fix” “problems” by adjusting the only POTENTIAL bottleneck that their mind’s comprehend. This is like trying to build a NASCAR with a 100 hp engine and your only attempt to make it go faster is to keep bending the spoiler over and over again at different angles attempting to lessen the drag it creates. - Personal interests affect how you approach a problem. How you look at a problem reflects your end goal and how you fix the problem.
<> Most of the guys a
Skinnee-I appreciate the above but what I really wanted you to comment on was the Choo-Choo- Picture! Hope all is well in Miami, and if I ever do find the time to go diving with you, I’ll cover my expenses and bring groceries and beer!
Which pic? Not sure I know which one you are referring to.
Back-pedal, back-pedal, back-pedal…
quote:Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a kid?
Originally posted by SublimeOneBack-pedal, back-pedal, back-pedal…
You tell the marine biologists to get their heads out of their asses but when real marine biologist’s weigh in you lick their balls and claim you were really just talking about the Feds.
Maybe you should have clarified your initial post before insulting, intentional or not, the local biologists who you quickly back-pedaled to defend.
Skinnee is entirely correct. Federal money comes to all the states to do research that the feds either don’t have the people or facilities to accomplished. This is in the form of grants to do specific work. That data is collected, analyzed and then sent, in annual reports, to the “powers” that be. Age and growth studies, histology, which is used to find out when fish spawn, tagging studies, etc., are all done on the state level. I think where the problem comes in is the interpretation of the data once the feds get it. One other problem that occurs especially here in the southeast is that the SAFMC is dealing with too d…n big an area. The habitat off of Frying Pan Shoals in N.C. is a totally different habitat than what occurs off Daytona Beach and futher south. Trying to make everything fit into one pie shell doesn’t make for a very good pie.
quote:Subprime one. Check out my first paragraph. I don't fish in state waters. I think you are the only one that doesn't know that.
Originally posted by SublimeOneYou tell the marine biologists to get their heads out of their asses but when real marine biologist’s weigh in you lick their balls and claim you were really just talking about the Feds.
Maybe you should have clarified your initial post before insulting, intentional or not, the local biologists who you quickly back-pedaled to defend.