THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507200183
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 55 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
The greed in fishing
The refusal by Gov. Edwin Edwards of Louisiana to veto the net ban bill is proof that the commercial fisherman is losing the war.
It is proof that propaganda, false facts and assumed science are prevailing over the true scientific approach that is essential for proper fisheries management.
It is proof that wrong is prevailing over right. It is proof that nonsense is prevailing over common sense.
All U.S. citizens must be made aware of the GREEDY evils of the anti-commercial fishing advocates. These evils are manifested in the guise of conservation, while the real issue is allocation.
The GCCA, ACCA, ASA and the Billfish Foundation should hang their greedy heads in shame. It is evident they have no compassion for the unfortunate consumer. Thrill-seeking, personal consumption and, ultimately, total control of the U.S. coastal perimeter is their primary goal.
Gov. Edwards chose to be a mouse. His actions are the fruits of a politician who is afraid of losing his job. He should be shamed to the point of resignation.
He turned his back on conservation. Good men are hard to find. The REAL fishermen are not the REEL problem. The REAL fishermen should lead the way to solve the real problems. The REEL fishermen should be happy that life is shining bright enough to enable them to enjoy sport fishing during their recreational time.
Capt. Browny Douglas
LL F/V ``Deliverance''
Manteo Where are gray trout?
The recent articles regarding the National Marine Fisheries Service proposal to stop weakfish (gray trout) fishing in federal waters - three to 200 miles offshore - have focused on commercial fishing. The debate has failed to discuss what has happened to gray trout recreational fishing.
In the 1970s and '80s, these fish were abundant in our waters and were a primary target species. In fact, April through June were known as trout months on the Outer Banks because of the huge schools of gray trout that were available. Today, few anglers target gray trout because keeper-size fish are so sparse.
The following recreational indicators show that our fishery has been virtually destroyed by overfishing and that immediate and effective action is needed to bring back quality fishing:
The recreational fishermen on the East Coast caught 42 million pounds, or 54 percent of the fish in 1980. By 1993, we were catching less than one million pounds, or only 12 percent of the fish.
In North Carolina in 1993 we caught 74,370 pounds, which was 7.5 percent of the East Coast recreational harvest, but less than 1 percent of the total harvest.
In 1993, 1,297,000 recreational anglers caught 100,431 fish (74,370 pounds) for an average of 12 anglers per each weakfish caught. To put it into perspective, if the permanent population in Kill Devil Hills - about 4,600 people - all fished during 1993, they would have caught about 380 gray trout.
In 1980, the mean length of a gray trout caught by a recreational fisherman was 21 inches, with many fish in the 25- to 35-inch range. By 1993, the mean length was down to 13 inches, with few fish over 18 inches.
In 1980, the average gray trout weighed 3 1/2 pounds. By 1993, the average fish in North Carolina weighed 3/4 of a pound.
In 1977, there were 324 state citations for fish six pounds and over. In 1990 and 1991, there was one each year.
North Carolina is the only state on the East Coast that allows commercial harvest of a 10-inch fish in the ocean.
Allowing different minimum sizes for commercial and recreational fishing, 10 to 14 inches respectively, has caused serious animosity. It is difficult to explain to a recreational angler he cannot keep a fish below 14 inches when he can buy a 10-inch fish in the market. That is why in 1994 we recommended the state set a 12-inch minimum size for everyone.
It is biologically sound to defer harvest of weakfish until they are 12 inches, because at that age they have spawned twice. Harvest at 10 inches allows only one spawn, which is not enough for the fish to recover.
While we agree with the National Marine Fisheries Service that the weakfish stocks are severely stressed, we did not support closure of the Exclusive Economic Zone because it would impact our commercial fishing industry.
However, we conditioned our support on the state settng a minimum size of 12 inches for all users in ocean waters. Fortunately, the Marine Fisheries Commission took such action on July 7. The 12-inch minimum size, combined with the other elements of the state management plan, should help ease beleaguered fish recover after years of overfishing.
C. Wayne Lee
Outer Banks Chapter
ACCA - NC by CNB