All New Hampshire Divers interested in supporting legislation, a bill that will allow recreational divers to legally take lobsters within NH State waters. (see related link
New Hampshire Lobster Bill)
Lobsters are a natural resource that should be available to all and not just commercial lobsterman.
In our last United Divers of New Hampshire meeting, we invited the Hon. Maureen C. Mooney, State Representative from Merrimack, as a guest speaker. She was very helpful in coaching us on the NH legislative process so we can be better organized and knowledgeable on working the system.
From a timing standpoint, we have plenty of time to get our "ducks in a row" to present a bill in the summer. We, the diving community of NH need to organize, gather facts, and rally support from entire diving community (other dive NH dive clubs, organizations like NELD, NH dive shops..), get the public on our side, work the Fish & Game Committee members (past and present, including the commissioner)
Following are some of ideas discussed in last dive meeting.
1) Find Sponsors for Bill. - Good news is Maureen has agreed to sponsor. But we need more
2) Reach out to Lee Perry, NH Fish & Game Commissioner and show support. We will be requesting a sit down or invite to one of our dive club meetings to give our points of view. Lee Perry - Executive Director 603 271-3511
e-mail:
director@wildlife.nh.gov
3) Reach out to your legislators to begin socializing with them. To find legislator for your town, go to:
NH House of Representatives
4) Reach out to current and past Fish & Game Committee members. e.g. Barb McKinney, at Aquatic specialties in Merrimack.
Glenn D. Normandeau is the Fish and Game Commissioner for the coastal region. Glenn is reasonable but honest. He does hold a commercial lobster license but does not do it for a living. All other commissioners refer to Glenn for anything dealing with coastal waters.
10 Pickering Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 433-8879
5) Reach out to Bob Robert J L'Heureux, Merrimack State Rep and Former Chair of Fish & Game Committee. We need to have him understand our position. In the end, he wants to get re-elected. I suspect there are more divers in Merrimack, than there are commercial lobsterman.
Home Address: 94 Back River Rd
Merrimack, NH 03054-2690
Phone: (603)424-2539
Email: bob.l'heureux@leg.state.nh.us
6) Reach out to current Fish & Game Commitee Chair Dennis Abbott (tel 603 271-3125) Lives in Newmarket, NH
Email:
denevel@comcast.net
7) Begin to gather facts to have for hearings. This is how Mass shot down the Lobserman attempt to reverse the law. We should know these facts when communicating the issues to media (e.g. Nashua Telegraph, WMUR..)
8) Attend the N.H. Fish and Game Commission Meetings that are held monthly and open to the public.
Fish and Game Commission - N.H. Fish and Game
As you can see, a lot of work for any one individual or organization to do. Anyone interested in showing in support, pls. contact me.
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