WSB Clipboarders Report

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by skiffman

Gill nets were banned about 1990. There is lots of info if you google it. This group was largely responsible for making it happen.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...e_Conservation. A very close friend of mine was involved and I am proud to say he was largely responsible for what you catch in La Jolla today. Prior to this event catches of large Yellowtail, Halibut and WSB as well as BSB were virtually non existent as the gill nets wrapped everything coming up the beach. As an old time L.J. local who has been launching skiffs off the beach for 40 years I can tell you the catching of the above species is significantly better now than 20+ years ago. The eco system in La Jolla is small. Tread lightly and savor its brilliance.
Kelvin

For those who have not been following the whole MLPA thing very closely, banning gill nets, long lines and DDT, along with reasonable fisheries management have been largely responsible for the revival of our currently healthy fishery over the last 30 years. The folks on the other side, never got the memo on this. The science they are constantly touting is outdated, inaccurate and irrelevant.

As Skiffman points out, LJ is a small ecosystem. It is an indisputable fact that the fishery in LJ is healthier today than at any time in the last 30 years. I grew up in La Jolla and can testify to this fact. I suspect, but cannot prove that the rest of California's fisheries have recovered to the same degree as we have witnessed here and for the same reasons.

The problem we face here is that in political warfare, the truth is seldom part of the dialogue. Only those close to the issue know the truth. The great unwashed masses only get the message that is screamed the loudest by the combatant with the most money to spend.

As the lawyers fight this battle in the courts, the rest of us need to do our part to help educate the uninformed. We should all take every opportunity available to share the truth with our friends, associates and anyone else who will listen.

Our opponents have the money and a very shrill voice. We, one the other hand have the truth on our side. It is time for everyone who has been sitting on the sidelines to step up and speak up.

Bob