Wildlifesc, there has been no suggestion that DNR or the Feds check with me or the thousands of other fishermen and women before restrictions are put in place. That should be the job of managers, based upon the advice of competent biologists ( and not polititions). When SAMFC allows a control so blatantly wrong to stay in place for months and even years, a normal, concerned, experienced fisherman has to assume the job is not being done. We should not have to individually chase down a representative of our DNR to find out where they stand. They should publish their stance. They should explain in detail in The Post and Courier what they know, what they are doing to fix the problem, and if they are being paid by the Feds. After all,DNR works for me; Not me for them.
As for contacting my Representative, I live in the 6th Congressional District. I have no representative.
No worries…your typing alone is loud enough to be heard in Washington.
quote:
Originally posted by RealfinFred67, I thought I made it clear why I have a problem with DNR supporting the law. But, to put it another way: My observations, and those of many others who spend time on and under the water, say the closure is doing more harm than good. Black Sea Bass are voracious, and will eat anything that swims-including young red snapper, vermillions, etc. The last ones I caught were regurgitating seaweed. The closure rule is stupid. I expect the federal bureaucrats to do stupid things. I expect DNR to be in touch with the real world, be concerned about the health of our fisheries, and to be tuned in to fishermen, not the Pew Environmental Trust.
I doubt anyone on this site would disagree that BSB are more than plentiful and need to be thinned out. I’d like to see the creel at 10" and 30 per person. Just my personal opinion. What I don’t agree with is your thoughts that DNR should not support in place laws. That’s like saying I think that Highway patrol should not ticket people for driving 70mph in a 55mph zone. Bottom line the law is the law until it is changed. No matter what you or I may think about it.
Wildlifesc,I vote for a limit of 15 fish over 14", but that’s not the issue here. First, your analogy to the speeding ticket is not appropriate in this case.Speeding can be a life threatening matter; fishing is not. But let’s use it, anyway. The speed limit is set by highway engineers in your county or at least in Columbia, often at the request of local residents. If it is unreasonable, it can be changed fairly guickly. But until it is changed, if it is ridiculous enough (10 mph when it ought to be 55mph), most officers will not fine violators, and most drivers may not drive 55, but they ain’t gonna drive 10 either. So, you see,human intelligence comes into play here to over-ride the letter of the law. I drive 60 when it’s safe, and I bet you do to.
Closure of bsb is just plain stupid from all angles. Responsible people have tried to get it re-opened with no success. The decision was made by the un-reachable federal govt. SCDNR has enough to do without enforcing fed.regs in detriment to the fishermen of SouthCarolina ( and the fish they are supposed to protect ).–
Now, if DNR is being paid by the Feds to do this dastardly deed, that’s a whole 'nother problem.
I agree with Realfin, not sure how to proceed but anyone with a fishing rod, dive mask, or gopro camera know that bsb are a much larger threat to the reefs than lion fish ever thought about being. We are infested with them and the people in Washington making these laws have zero clue about it.
Yes, the Dnr needs to do their jobs but like the speed limit analogy, why are they sitting on the one questionable road instead of working on the REAL game and fish problems in the state? Why pour money into big contenders, radars, and fuel when there are so many other areas that need the funding?
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
Not my analogy Realfin…that was Fred67.
Check out BEAUFORT BOY POST!
Wildlifesc, I apologize
quote:
Originally posted by wildlifescHere’s some info from SCDNR on this thread.
DNR biologists do not actually conduct any recreational creel surveys offshore. Almost all of our angler intercept work is done at public boat landings. We do occasionally visit some marinas and fishing piers, but the focus with our limited staff has been to concentrate on interviewing private boat anglers (the majority of our licensed saltwater anglers). Law Enforcement does conduct fishery enforcement inspections offshore under the Joint Enforcement Agreement they have with NMFS.
Since 1981, NMFS has been collecting recreational catch and effort data in SC by also conducting interviews with recreational anglers at public boat landings, marinas, fishing piers, and through observer trips on headboats. This effort is now known as the Marine Recreational Information Program or MRIP. DNR believes that we can assist in making some improvements in the way the state and NMFS collect angler intercept-based data by taking responsibility for most of the MRIP survey work in SC. Starting March 1st of 2013, DNR intends to take on all of the saltwater recreational fishing creel intercept work in SC by becoming a sub-contractor with NMFS for the MRIP survey in our state. Our own DNR Office of Fisheries Management staff will be conducting the creel surveys conducted at private boat landings, and taking on the headboat ride along work as well. We are doing this to improve the efficiency of overall angler intercept efforts being conducted in SC (one survey instead of two), and to help with improvements to the quality of the data being used by state and federal fisheries managers that influence the regulation of our fisheries.</font id=“maroon”>
It’s in our best interest to get facts straight rather than perpetuate the old rumor mill. If any of you do have the ear of a US senator or r
ps, those powerhungry legislators are the ones fighting to get you the right to fish again.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
Folks, please, please take Overtheledge’s advice and read Beaufort Boy’s post. It gives great insight into the attitude of the federal government’s toward our ability to fish. And, while you read it, remember that the feds are killing thousands of red snapper with their reef blasting program. We need to know why SCDNR will not stand up to SAMFC as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas have.
Stephen, I have faith that our SCDNR biologists are sraight up, and havenot been bought by Pew as the feds have. Don’t we hope I’m right?
I’m not casting aspersions on any particular biologist. I’m simply stating that the biologists have been very suspicious of my intentions and support of fishing. The higher-ups at DNR have actually been very supportive, but the biologists tend to be on the anti-fishing side of things. Like I said, support your legislators that hunt and fish. They’re your only hope in this mess.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
quote:
Originally posted by RedstripeThe money probably comes from Homeland Security. You can add drones in also. They will be keeping tabs on us soon, if not already. It shocks me that this is a borderline Tea Party state, and we don’t fight the feds more on this. Everyone knows the law is broken. As I have said time and time again all our state would have to do is make sea bass legal in state waters and only check within 3 miles. Instead they have given in to the evil free federal money like everyone else. Nookie is such a hypocrite.
State legislation you speak of is actually in the works, but we are trying to figure out how to not have the Feds shut the fish down even more due to them assuming more fish are being taken off the ACL by state waters fishermen. Nmfs just punished Texas and gulf fishermen for that very thing. Texas opened up their water (out to 9 miles for them) for red snapper, and the Feds responded by tightening the federal waters season even more. The federal law allows this as well as the Feds literally taking over state waters management if they think it’s warranted. ,maybe now all the folks proclaiming the victory for us when the law was last reauthorized in 06 will come out from under their rocks and do the right thing when this law gets reauthorized in a few years. Hope the pain and strife you’ve caused was worth it…
DNR can’t live off just state funding. That’s the problem. Like most of our other stAte agencies, we’ve made them dependent on the federal dollars, which are never free. Strings are attached. All this wouldn’t be ruining our community and resources if the Feds weren’t controlling it all with their spending power (of our tax dollars).
www.scmarine.org
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
Yellabird…the biologists I know, which happens to be most at the state level, are very dedicated and all about the resource…our</font id=“maroon”> resource. There is not one biologist working for DNR in marine or freshwater fisheries suspicious of your “support of fishing.”</font id=“maroon”>. You are either paranoid or suspicious yourself, but you are dead wrong and if you wish to attack them it merely proves that it’s ludicrous to try and have a civilized discussion on a public forum. I won’t honor another of your posts with a reply…so call me crazy all you like.
Wild…So tell me where David Cupka was employed…I seem to have forgotten??? SCDNR! Then try to tell me how he does not have an agenda.
.
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”
quote:
Originally posted by wildlifescYellabird…the biologists I know, which happens to be most at the state level, are very dedicated and all about the resource…our</font id=“maroon”> resource. There is not one biologist working for DNR in marine or freshwater fisheries suspicious of your “support of fishing.”</font id=“maroon”>. You are either paranoid or suspicious yourself, but you are dead wrong and if you wish to attack them it merely proves that it’s ludicrous to try and have a civilized discussion on a public forum. I won’t honor another of your posts with a reply…so call me crazy all you like.
Ok, just trying to tell you the truth.
Back to substantive issues:
This was also posted on the Florida rebellion thread.
"This is precisely the problem with taking such measures. Personally, I believe we must start pushing back, and the resulting reductions in federal seasons are worth the sustainability of state’s rights. I am now in negotiations with DNR to accomplish this goal. I cannot give you the details yet, but I am working on doing something. The question I have is: will the fishermen support me and the bill, even if it results in a reduction in the federal season or bag limits? "
Your thoughts?
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
Think you would be surprised at how many biologists out at DNR fish and hunt. At least at the fort johnson location, they are not the enemy!
quote:
Originally posted by sellsfishWild…So tell me where David Cupka was employed…I seem to have forgotten??? SCDNR! Then try to tell me how he does not have an agenda.
.
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”
Ouch… That is going to leave a mark!
Yellabird, realfin, Phin, and sellsfish please keep fighting the good fight, let us know what we need to do.
Thank you all very much!
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
[quote]Originally posted by fishcrazy
Think you would be surprised at how many biologists out at DNR fish and hunt. At least at the fort johnson location, they are not the enemy!
[/]
I’m sure you’re correct. Some are on our side. On the other hand, I have regular meetings with biologists on these matters, and some certainly are the enemy (if we’re defining the war as common sense fisheries management, rather than sweeping closures). Befriend who you wish, I’m just telling you the realities of policy making.
PS, Alvin Taylor and his chiefs ARE our friends. They’re always willing to meet and always willing to listen. Some other groups aren’t so willing. If I do something, it will be with the cooperation of DNR.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”