THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605020191
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 32 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
In a North Carolina Fisheries Association press release dated April 23, Jerry Schill, the executive director, states that his organization is not connected with ``Fishermen for the Future.'' That group held a press conference on the waterfront in Washington, N.C., last week, to kick off a ``petition blitz for clean rivers.''
``Fishermen for the Future'' is a banner name that was developed by a group of commercial and recreational fishermen (many of them members of Jerry's organization) to bring ALL the groups that rely on water quality together to stand as a united front for water quality concerns, the issue that ALL North Carolinians have in common. The group that has the most to lose in the fight for clean water is, in fact, Jerry's constituents: commercial fishermen and NCFA members.
I understand when the NCFA or commercial fishermen complain about too many regulations, too many limits on what they can catch, when and where they can catch them etc. What I don't understand is why the head of the state's largest organized group of commercial fishermen, which has been in existence for 44 years and has seen the gradual downfall of the quality of our rivers and estuaries, would not endorse something as simple as a petition campaign to raise awareness two weeks before the legislature reconvenes.
In an attempt to work together with commercial fishermen on this mutually important issue, the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina, the state's recreational fishing group, described this approach to Jerry in writing, asking for his support, and even offering to let him or representatives of the NCFA join them on radio shows that had already been booked in coastal areas.
After getting no response from Jerry, the CCA had to call him to even get an acknowledgment that he had received the letter. A quote from that letter follows: ``The bottom line is that despite our differences and sometimes very vocal clashes over fisheries issues, sports fishermen and recreational fishermen have one very important thing in common - we both depend on clean water for our livelihoods and our recreation. Without clean water and healthy coastal rivers and streams, there simply would be no fish for sports anglers and commercial anglers to fight over.'' Maybe that's what Jerry is waiting for. Then he can retire!
Doug Hoffman
Recreational fisherman
Greenville NCFA shares concerns
This is in response to Doug Hoffman's misleading and misdirected letter, recently printed in some coastal newspapers. Mr. Hoffman slams the North Carolina Fisheries Association and particularly its executive director, Jerry Schill, because the association did not endorse activities recently held under the banner of ``Fishermen for the Future.''
On that point, he is correct. Although several NCFA members participated in the event, the organization did not formally endorse the activity for reasons that I will outline later in this letter.
He also leads readers to believe that NCFA was offered the opportunity to share air time on radio shows to show concern for water quality and failed to respond. Not so! On April 19, Coastal Conservation Association spokeswoman Betty Gray and I both were guests on the Tom Mattison show on WJNC in Jacksonville.
Hoffman insinuates that NCFA's failure to formally participate in their activities is an indication that we do not support the need to draw attention to horrendous water quality problems that now face the coast.
We are not only concerned, but insistent, that the problems of water quality be addressed swiftly and decisively. But the NCFA staff are working on many issues almost equally important to the commercial fishing industry and therefore must spend our time and efforts wisely. We concluded that any legislator who doesn't know at this point that the state's waters are in serious jeopardy is not going to be reached through the type of effort expended by those who participated.
We would not think of discouraging any group's activities geared toward helping to create an atmosphere conducive to solving this problem, but this is an organization that must operate within the realm of political realities. Sadly, the realities are that the coast does not have the votes to get the needed legislation through. While it is almost certain that the legislators from the 20 coastal counties will support any reasonable plan, there are legislators from 80 other counties who must answer to their constituents - many of whom are the very sources of the problems.
Knowing that, we have begun a voter registration campaign in an effort to create a larger coastal voting block that those running for statewide offices will not only have to court during the election, but visit with on a regular basis after the honeymoon is over.
And one last point: The NCFA is not ``Jerry's group.'' Jerry was hired, has led and is paid to represent the industry. Jerry did not make the decision to not endorse the CCA-NC event; he expressed his opinion via letter to the 20-member NCFA board but made it clear that the decision was theirs.
Sandy Semans
North Carolina Fisheries Association Inc.
New Bern, N.C. by CNB