(MLPA) One more time--We need to own this expectation issue or we'll lose big - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

zenspearo · 06-09-2009, 11:33 PM

Guys/gals,

I apologize for the repetition, but this is a critical issue. Please help spread it among our people.

We need help with owning the issue, both online and offline, of sustainable fishermen as peaceful/non-confrontational. This is our #1 challenge going into the home stretch.

There is a lot of chatter online and at the MLPA meetings implying that the non-fishing side is feeling intimidated, and the implication is that the fishermen are the intimidators. This is the cynical expectation game being played, and we need to actively manage it.

While there is no evidence to support this claim, what is being attempted is to set a false expectation. It is repeated with unsubstantiated "feeling of intimidation" and general allegation of mob-like behavior or dress.

The moment an incident occurs (and statistically, with this many people involved and with such high emotion involved, the odds are some isolated incident will occur. Not a matter of if--it's a matter of when), then the expectation is turned into disastrous public perception for our side.

We need to proactively manage this expectation game both online and at the public meetings. Otherwise, if/when the expectation is set and a public perception is created, when the MLPA staff, the BRTF, the SAT team, the RSG. or DFG sees a large fishermen public speaking crowd, the mob perception will overshadow the reality that this is a diverse group of people sacrificing their time and money to show up and participate.

Remember also that our gains have been made by forming allies with the RSG and public members sitting on the fence. This is what has swung things in the moderate direction, often by a very thin margin of support. That's what we have accomplished by pouring out our hearts and working hard in the past six months. If we are not perceived as the "good guys" going forward, this support could evaporate, and we are left with a steep hill to climb again.

This is what the other side is really hoping to achieve.

How do we respond?

First, don't let this perception dominate online discussions. You can't let it go unanswered. Actively manage it by pointing out that sustainable fishing interests are very proactive in counseling their public attendee members to be civil, non-confrontational, and respectful. If someone implies that fishermen are intimidating or they need some "safe haven" to discuss, ask them for evidence that would substantiate their implied or explicit allegations. There is none. If you don't respond and help balance out the discussion, the false expectation of fishermen-as-intimidator will be set, and all that is needed to turn the false expectation into a public perception is one or a few isolated incidents.

Second, don't let this perception be perpetuated at meetings. I would counsel actively avoid engaging in any manner members of the non-fishing interests. Just let them be. If you have to engage, plenty of smiles and be ready to let things roll off and walk away.

Third, we not only have to talk the talk, we have to walk the walk. Don't do anything to give them that one isolated incident. They are waiting for it. We can't ask you enough, or emphasize enough, the damage that can be done if you give them that ammo. Do not confront, counter, or act in any way that can be construed as even remotely confrontational. Smile, smile, smile, and walk away. Until we own the expectation game (and we are behind right now), we need to stay gandhi on the whole thing.

We have motivated and we have mobilized. We now have the numbers. They are behind, and they know it. They simply do not have the support of the public as we do, at the same level of sacrifice that we do. They are trying to marginalize it, and are working hard at painting the fishermen numbers as a mob crowd. We need to avoid collateral damage that would jeopardize all the work that has been put it in.

P.S. The reason for this second post on this issue is the urgency and criticality of this issue to our side. It is our greatest challenge--I shyt you not. Many people at all levels have continued to express concerns and, for some, disgust at the attempt being waged by some on the non-fishing side to paint fishermen with this tar. We need to be smart, proactively own this issue when we still have time and no incidents have yet occurred.

Thanks for your help both online and offline in countering this expectation game. Don't let this cynical game be waged on us without actively responding to it--civilly of course-- and setting our own expectation.

Thank you for letting me post on this critical issue again.

Holy Mackerel · 06-10-2009, 07:30 AM

This point cannot be stressed enough, thanks Joe!

Afran · 06-10-2009, 10:32 AM

bump

bellcon · 06-10-2009, 01:18 PM

Maybe we need to rethink the whole
wear Black Shirts idea?
(I know those button down black OEX shirts intimidate me)

maybe something in lavender or mauve?

Or some white cowboy hats, like all the good guys used to wear?

Seriously...
thanks for the heads up
but a sea of black shirts, while impressive, probably doesnt fall in line with the justifiable Gandhi stance we need to take for now?

zenspearo · 06-10-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellcon

Maybe we need to rethink the whole
wear Black Shirts idea?
(I know those button down black OEX shirts intimidate me)

maybe something in lavender or mauve?

Or some white cowboy hats, like all the good guys used to wear?

Seriously...
thanks for the heads up
but a sea of black shirts, while impressive, probably doesnt fall in line with the justifiable Gandhi stance we need to take for now?

Blue shirt with peace symbol?

All kidding aside, I know what you mean. I think this is a valid concern but I don't want us to go too gun-shy. We should continue to be proud and out front in presenting ourselves and our views. We should, however, go out of our way to avoid confrontation or even interaction with the anti-fishing side at the meetings.

Nothing will infuriate these people more than seeing their provocation sheds off like water off a duck's back.

Smile and just walk away...like it doesn't matter. Because we have bigger fish to fry...

Thanks for reading.

habanero · 06-10-2009, 03:58 PM

I agree with the blue shirts. logistically, like black, everyone has a blue shirt. Blue is not intimidating.

fryguy · 06-11-2009, 01:41 AM

if the enviros all decide to wear a color for the next meeting, then we should all be that color at the following meeting

that would really f**k them up

Billy V · 06-11-2009, 10:39 AM

They will probably wear white, although they're no virgins.
-Be careful, they are trying to hurt you.

I heard they will be wearing something from the Summer Extremist Catalogue.
http://www.shukronline.com/

dsafety · 06-11-2009, 04:03 PM

How about we all show up in Hawaiian shirts? I even have a couple with fish on them.

Bob

Dan · 06-11-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy V

They will probably wear white, although they're no virgins.
-Be careful, they are trying to hurt you.

I heard they will be wearing something from the Summer Extremist Catalogue.
http://www.shukronline.com/

dood, those clothes actually look really comfortable. Check out those knee length hoodies.

JoeBeck · 06-11-2009, 04:52 PM

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
Tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.

06-10-2009, 10:32 AM	#3
Afran fishy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 219	bump __________________ warbaits.com Instagram @warbaits

06-09-2009, 11:33 PM	#1
zenspearo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 167	(MLPA) One more time--We need to own this expectation issue or we'll lose big Guys/gals, I apologize for the repetition, but this is a critical issue. Please help spread it among our people. We need help with owning the issue, both online and offline, of sustainable fishermen as peaceful/non-confrontational. This is our #1 challenge going into the home stretch. There is a lot of chatter online and at the MLPA meetings implying that the non-fishing side is feeling intimidated, and the implication is that the fishermen are the intimidators. This is the cynical expectation game being played, and we need to actively manage it. While there is no evidence to support this claim, what is being attempted is to set a false expectation. It is repeated with unsubstantiated "feeling of intimidation" and general allegation of mob-like behavior or dress. The moment an incident occurs (and statistically, with this many people involved and with such high emotion involved, the odds are some isolated incident will occur. Not a matter of if--it's a matter of when), then the expectation is turned into disastrous public perception for our side. We need to proactively manage this expectation game both online and at the public meetings. Otherwise, if/when the expectation is set and a public perception is created, when the MLPA staff, the BRTF, the SAT team, the RSG. or DFG sees a large fishermen public speaking crowd, the mob perception will overshadow the reality that this is a diverse group of people sacrificing their time and money to show up and participate. Remember also that our gains have been made by forming allies with the RSG and public members sitting on the fence. This is what has swung things in the moderate direction, often by a very thin margin of support. That's what we have accomplished by pouring out our hearts and working hard in the past six months. If we are not perceived as the "good guys" going forward, this support could evaporate, and we are left with a steep hill to climb again. This is what the other side is really hoping to achieve. How do we respond? First, don't let this perception dominate online discussions. You can't let it go unanswered. Actively manage it by pointing out that sustainable fishing interests are very proactive in counseling their public attendee members to be civil, non-confrontational, and respectful. If someone implies that fishermen are intimidating or they need some "safe haven" to discuss, ask them for evidence that would substantiate their implied or explicit allegations. There is none. If you don't respond and help balance out the discussion, the false expectation of fishermen-as-intimidator will be set, and all that is needed to turn the false expectation into a public perception is one or a few isolated incidents. Second, don't let this perception be perpetuated at meetings. I would counsel actively avoid engaging in any manner members of the non-fishing interests. Just let them be. If you have to engage, plenty of smiles and be ready to let things roll off and walk away. Third, we not only have to talk the talk, we have to walk the walk. Don't do anything to give them that one isolated incident. They are waiting for it. We can't ask you enough, or emphasize enough, the damage that can be done if you give them that ammo. Do not confront, counter, or act in any way that can be construed as even remotely confrontational. Smile, smile, smile, and walk away. Until we own the expectation game (and we are behind right now), we need to stay gandhi on the whole thing. We have motivated and we have mobilized. We now have the numbers. They are behind, and they know it. They simply do not have the support of the public as we do, at the same level of sacrifice that we do. They are trying to marginalize it, and are working hard at painting the fishermen numbers as a mob crowd. We need to avoid collateral damage that would jeopardize all the work that has been put it in. P.S. The reason for this second post on this issue is the urgency and criticality of this issue to our side. It is our greatest challenge--I shyt you not. Many people at all levels have continued to express concerns and, for some, disgust at the attempt being waged by some on the non-fishing side to paint fishermen with this tar. We need to be smart, proactively own this issue when we still have time and no incidents have yet occurred. Thanks for your help both online and offline in countering this expectation game. Don't let this cynical game be waged on us without actively responding to it--civilly of course-- and setting our own expectation. Thank you for letting me post on this critical issue again. __________________ A spearo, but we are in this MLPA mess together

06-10-2009, 07:30 AM	#2
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	This point cannot be stressed enough, thanks Joe!

06-10-2009, 01:18 PM	#4
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	Maybe we need to rethink the whole wear Black Shirts idea? (I know those button down black OEX shirts intimidate me) maybe something in lavender or mauve? Or some white cowboy hats, like all the good guys used to wear? Seriously... thanks for the heads up but a sea of black shirts, while impressive, probably doesnt fall in line with the justifiable Gandhi stance we need to take for now?

06-10-2009, 03:58 PM	#6
habanero Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SD Posts: 133	I agree with the blue shirts. logistically, like black, everyone has a blue shirt. Blue is not intimidating.

06-11-2009, 01:41 AM	#7
fryguy Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: san diego Posts: 33	if the enviros all decide to wear a color for the next meeting, then we should all be that color at the following meeting that would really f**k them up

06-11-2009, 10:39 AM	#8
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	They will probably wear white, although they're no virgins. -Be careful, they are trying to hurt you. I heard they will be wearing something from the Summer Extremist Catalogue. http://www.shukronline.com/

06-11-2009, 04:03 PM	#9
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	How about we all show up in Hawaiian shirts? I even have a couple with fish on them. Bob

06-11-2009, 04:52 PM	#11
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day, Tell the world that everything's OK, But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back, Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.