THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 13, 1996 TAG: 9605090016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ANOTHER VIEW
SOURCE: By Chuck Harrison
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
In response to ``A word from PETA to Hampton Roads'' (Another View, April 18) by Carla Bennett, advice columnist for PETA's Animal Times magazine: I have very good news for Ms. Bennett. She can pick up her rod and reel again! In her words, ``I learned that most fish thrown back die later. That's when I abandoned my rod and reel.''
The good news is that major studies have shown time and again that most carefully released fish don't die. John Lucy of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science has coordinated extensive research efforts in our own state, as have other scientists around the country. Information from various sources was presented in a Sport Fishing Release Mortality conference in Virginia Beach last May. Was anyone from PETA in attendance?
The purpose of this meeting was to separate fact from fiction with regard to catch-and-release fishing. The evidence showed overwhelmingly that if anglers are careful in the type of gear they use and the way they handle fish, most fish do indeed survive release.
I am a participant in the Virginia Game Fish Tagging program instituted last year under the leadership of John Lucy and Claude Bain (Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament). Even in our first year, we had amazing numbers of tagged fish recaptured.
Misinformation and anecdotal stories used by groups such as PETA confuse the public. I was so touched by Ms. Bennett's story of a fish in a pet-store aquarium caring for a deformed tankmate. I wish the fish in my tank at home were so compassionate. When one becomes ill, the others tend to eat him.
Besides, are we to conclude that Ms. Bennett condones the destructive habit of those who rape the reefs of many species in the tropical regions to be sold in pet shops - trapped for life in an unnatural environment for the pure enjoyment of humans? She should have been working to secure the freedom of that compassionate little fish and his physically challenged friend.
I am glad that Ms. Bennett says members of PETA are ``more likely to sit down with our `enemies' over a coffee or beer to discuss our differences than to get into a shouting match.'' That would be great. But apparently she hasn't been reading her own organization's messages in our newspaper in recent weeks and months. PETA's threats and diatribes have been directed at confrontation, not at encouraging ``dialogue'' as she states.
This is particularly true of PETA's plans to launch its own boats in an effort to disrupt recreational anglers as they fish. I am really going to have a difficult time dialoguing with PETA maneuvering its boats in such ways as to obstruct my navigation. According to my dictionary, ``ethical'' means ``conforming to accepted and especially professional standards of conduct.'' The moment anyone recklessly endangers the well-being of other boaters in this fashion. He has ceased being ethical. MEMO: Chuck Harrison lives in Virginia Beach.
by CNB