Petition to ban long line and trawler fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
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To: US Congress
PETITION TO REMOVE LONG LINE & TRAWLERS FROM
THE GULF OF MEXICO
The undersigned on this petition hereby state in support that:
In as the Gulf of Mexico has been declared a special environmental habitat, we request the US House of Representatives and/or the US Senate sponsor and pass a bill that declare that the Gulf of Mexico is a special ecological area with unique habitat and characteristics. When indiscriminate untended commercial fishing gear is allowed to operate within its boundaries, the Magnusson/Stevens Act’s mandate of sustainable fishery can not be met.
The destruction of habitat and excessive by-catch associated with long line and trawling gear is incompatible with the Gulf of Mexico’s unique habitat. We respectfully request that the use of any gear not fully tended by an angler or crew, to include the use of long line and trawling gear be banned from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit.
I've already signed this. If you believe in protecting the ocean, and a fair, sustainable harvest of fish for eating, you really should sign this petition. Our rights as fishermen are under fire and we need to speak up or we will lose them.
For instance, there is real talk about a grouper CLOSURE for recreational harvest this year, and it's probably gonna happen. Grouper recreational limits are being changed to 3 blacks and 1 red.
This despite that longlining fishermen are responsible for the rape of the Gulf. The bycatch (eco-friendly term for mass destruction) from longlining is just amazing. For an example:
Bag limit starts August 9th and the season is closed November and December.
No closure or bag limit reductions on the long liners.
Please join the FRA if you haven't already.
*******************************************
To: US Congress
PETITION TO REMOVE LONG LINE & TRAWLERS FROM
THE GULF OF MEXICO
The undersigned on this petition hereby state in support that:
In as the Gulf of Mexico has been declared a special environmental habitat, we request the US House of Representatives and/or the US Senate sponsor and pass a bill that declare that the Gulf of Mexico is a special ecological area with unique habitat and characteristics. When indiscriminate untended commercial fishing gear is allowed to operate within its boundaries, the Magnusson/Stevens Act’s mandate of sustainable fishery can not be met.
The destruction of habitat and excessive by-catch associated with long line and trawling gear is incompatible with the Gulf of Mexico’s unique habitat. We respectfully request that the use of any gear not fully tended by an angler or crew, to include the use of long line and trawling gear be banned from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
This post does not seem suitable for Underwater Hunting forum.
I have reported it as such.
Perhaps it should be moved to a suitable forum.
I was thinking the same thing to get more people involved. Hunters are most active so I didn't send a request to move it. I am not opposed though and it has probably been read here already.
The reason I didn't ask for it to be moved is that underwater hunters are very environmentally friendly. We are the ones who are most effected by the negative impact of long liners and trawlers. Can you imagine a single spearfisher catching 4500lbs of fish in a day?
In a way this topic should be moved though. This is a topic for every diver who enjoys fish life. Trawling destroys the environment. There are places right off the coast of Florida that have been destroyed by these nets ripping everything off the bottom.
These types of fishing methods destroy the environment, kill fish that will never be used (do a search on bycatch). It is estimated that 25% of all fish caught are thrown away as bycatch. These two methods are notorious for their indiscriminate killing.
Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit.
I understand what you are talking about, as I was involved in commercial fishing.
You have valid points to promote the petition.
That is why the petition should be moved to the forum entitled -
Good Causes, Petitions and Solicitations.
Additionally, a petition is a group complaint.
As it says in the special rules of U H forum,
"If you're here to complain about any form of underwater hunting you're in the wrong place."
Posting an anti fishing petition in U H forum could be construed as an effort by a
PETA promoting fruitarian who wants to lump all fishing in the same boat, then conspire with Greenpeace to blow up the boat. There are plenty of divers of this category on SB that want to complain about any and all forms of fishing.
You have clarified that is not the case, but it is still in the "wrong place" and there is a forum for petitions. The petition has merit and it would be best posted in GC,P&S.
In any event, now I am a Junior Member.
Last edited by minervamar; August 1st, 2005 at 08:58 AM.
Longlining is not underwater hunting!
IMHO the reason that commercial fishing has not been further restricted is pure and simple economics, read "greed".
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Originally Posted by JustJoe
