A Disappearing Ocean

[Deamon]

I've taken lumps for fishing hard and earning my catch...in a kayak...on the ocean...often at night. I've recently lost some good friends over this. I am glad their stripes showed as hypocrites that they are.

This article hit home. Written by CCA's President, Patrick Murray. This guy nailed it. It's why I've recently renewed my membership for 3 years. I hope most will never keep the kayak fisherman down, ESPECIALLY OTHER KAYAKERS. We volunteer...we donate...we can't go very far, lol...we get abused by boaters (and sometimes shot at). Us kayakers are not the problem. Please give it a read and support this association if you can. Jim Kelley

CCA- Coastal Conservation Association California

[momo fish]

Because most of the public still loves to eat fish/sushi but does not want to see how they are "harvested"... Commercial guys unlike anglers don't videotape and take pictures of dead fish... Thus the hypocrisy...

And halibut are more endangered than WSB based on my many years of scientific research while kayaking

[bosshoss]

Wow, that was eye opening .. Thanks for the lil education ..

[Saba Slayer]

Originally Posted by bosshoss

Wow, that was eye opening .. Thanks for the lil education ..

If you were a CCA CAL member you would get a copy of our Tide magazine every quarter and the last one had this article written by our CCA president Pat Murray in it.
The LA Chapter has a fundraiser on May 21st.
Please come and support the CCA CAL...we need the memberships and the Cash...!
Here is a copy of the flyer for the event...

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by momo fish

And halibut are more endangered than WSB based on my many years of scientific research while kayaking

They must be because I haven't caught shit!!

[Kayak_Bernie]

This article hits the nail on the head. I am all for setting aside areas for conservation, just as we set aside wildlife refuges where no hunting is allowed. But we do have some wildlife refuges that DO allow hunting. Do you know why?? Because the people in charge of managing them have studies and research that back up the fact that recreational hunting for certain species has no measurable negative effect on the refuge ecosytem, and that increased use by hunters can raise awareness to save other places, and provide needed funds to manage the refuge.
As a scientist it boggles my mind that you would close a place to recreational fishing indefinitely. Sure i understand that certain areas that are particularly special should be protected, but there should be a management PLAN, NOT a management REACTION. If you don't fund the study to see what you are doing actually has merit, then the fact that you preserved the area in the first place becomes purely superficial and not scientific. If after 5 years being closed some one could say that there has been a 15% increase in WSB fingerlings, and a 25% increase in lobster etc. But just to say it's closed and we cant fund any research is a total cop out. Its the political equivalent to " Because I said so!"

Give me some solid research that says that recreational fisherman have had an overall negative impact on our fisheries and I will show a place that has massive commercial over fishing.

For example Drift nets targeting swordfish and thresher sharks throw away 66% of their catch (in pounds) as bycatch. That would be equal to you catching/ killing/ throwing back two 30lb halibut when you keep one 30lb white sea bass. No recreational fisherman in his/her right mind would do that, yet the commercial industry in the US wastes over 2 BILLION pounds of fish every year...

We as recreational fisherman are the best conservationist, and advocates. Make your voices heard, join CCA, call your congressional representatives and your senators.

[makobob]

Thanks Jim and Bernie, I finally made the time to join CCA Cal. Baja is nice BUT SoCal is home!!! Thanks for getting me motivated to join.

[Saba Slayer]

"But just to say it's closed and we cant fund any research is a total cop out. Its the political equivalent to " Because I said so!"

At the last F & G Commission meeting, President Sklar announced that the Department had 2.5 million dollars to monitor the MPA's.
Even with the money to check the results after 10 years...I really doubt that any of the now closed MPA's will ever be reopened to fishing....when you hear President Sklar say "I consider them permanent conservation areas"...well, that seems to me, to be the last nail in the coffin for these closed areas...

"I am all for setting aside areas for conservation, just as we set aside wildlife refuges where no hunting is allowed."

Be Careful What You Wish For...!
It all sounds so good... but the devil is in how you pick the areas and how big they will be...oh yea...that sounds like the MLPA process we went through...!!!
The ENGO's have the money to affect the final outcome and we have squat...!
Not to mention the apathy that effects the So. Cal Fishermen...unless there is a fire under their butts they are mostly asleep...Sad but True! Or fighting among themselves over stupid issues...

[erinoo]

Jim...

Originally Posted by Deamon

I've taken lumps for fishing hard and earning my catch...in a kayak...on the ocean...often at night. I've recently lost some good friends over this. I am glad their stripes showed as hypocrites that they are.

This article hit home. Written by CCA's President, Patrick Murray. This guy nailed it. It's why I've recently renewed my membership for 3 years. I hope most will never keep the kayak fisherman down, ESPECIALLY OTHER KAYAKERS. We volunteer...we donate...we can't go very far, lol...we get abused by boaters (and sometimes shot at). Us kayakers are not the problem. Please give it a read and support this association if you can. Jim Kelley

CCA- Coastal Conservation Association California

[monkeyfishturds]

Originally Posted by Deamon

I've taken lumps for fishing hard and earning my catch...in a kayak...on the ocean...often at night. I've recently lost some good friends over this. I am glad their stripes showed as hypocrites that they are.

This article hit home. Written by CCA's President, Patrick Murray. This guy nailed it. It's why I've recently renewed my membership for 3 years. I hope most will never keep the kayak fisherman down, ESPECIALLY OTHER KAYAKERS. We volunteer...we donate...we can't go very far, lol...we get abused by boaters (and sometimes shot at). Us kayakers are not the problem. Please give it a read and support this association if you can. Jim Kelley

CCA- Coastal Conservation Association California

Taking more than you can consume is up to you. But don't be butt hurt if others don't agree with your point of view. Recreational fishermen take 2% ? That is incorrect. Sportboats fall under recreational fishing, as do PB and spear fishermen. It all adds up.