[Saba Slayer]

Chris138 said..."firmly place themselves "across the table" (as the OP put it) from scientists and policy makers."
I think you have a misunderstanding about who sits at the stakeholders table...I've sat AT the table and worked with scientists and policy makers and I've placed myself FIRMLY ACROSS the table from the extreme enviros that would like to shut down your consumptive fishing adventures, regardless of weather you're taking, 1 fish or 10 fish on each trip or releasing all your fish...they just don't want you fishing.
Please tell me you are speaking from past experience of dealing with the MPA's or some other significant fishing advocacy...if not then perhaps you should attend a few meeting and get a taste of what goes on beyond the keyboard.
There is nothing wrong with underwater "national parks" to preserve natural areas...the problem is how we establish them and what science is used. So far the establishment of the MPA's hasn't proved to be a very fair or science oriented affair...it would be better described as a political affair! The amount of back room dealing was mind blowing!
If the state could not afford to manage and observe the MPA's, then the state should never have made them, or limited them to areas they can afford to manage and enforce.
Lastly...you obviously have no idea what the OP does...perhaps you should get your facts in order before calling some folks out!!!

"...We kayak fishers could have a very real contribution to make towards preserving our natural resource. Whether its tagging fish, taking samples, collecting data, submitting heads, volunteering at Hubbs etc. Some of us do this, yet many firmly place themselves "across the table" (as the OP put it) from scientists and policy makers; basically ensuring that our concerns are completely ignored?"