We can, must, make a difference. The management of our, yes our fishery is in shambles. We, recreational & commercial, are being, in ever increasing numbers, forced off the water. It's time for a change, a really BIG change. But what can we do? Well, for starters we can quit bickering among ourselves, united we stand, divided we fall. Get involved! Indifference is absolutely killing us. Let Joe Blow fight while I stay home and watch football. Get out and VOTE! but for whom? To date very little has been said by either of our Presidential candidates concerning our fishery. Where do they stand? Well! one word more than sums up Obama, Lubchenco. Obama appointed Dr. Jane Lubchenco as head of NOAA. Lubchenco has very strong ties to both EDF & Pew. She has filled her ranks with members from both of these radical organizations. But where does Mitt Romney stand? To find out The Big Game Fishing Journal and the RFA conducted, "An interview with Governor Mitt Romney." His complete, to the point, answers to five questions regarding fishery management issues, can be found on pages 53 & 54 of the September-October issue of the Journal, a must read for all who are concerned about the directions our fishery is taking:
(1) What does recreational fishing & the sport fishing industry mean to you?
"$50 billion in sales were attributed to saltwater recreational fishing in 2010, and saltwater recreational fishing supported 326,000 jobs in fishing and across the broader economy. If elected, I will be a president who understands the importance of recreational and sport fishing and will be an advocate for you."
(2) "What would you do to help preserve our traditions and fishing heritage?"
A Romney Administration would consider the input of the fisherman. "Recreational angling can be an incredible economic engine for our costal states, but it is being shackled by misguided, over-reaching regulations that make little economic or conservation sense. I will turn back the regulatory tide of the Obama Administration that has created red tape first and ignored your (fishermen) input.":
(3) What about the National Ocean Policy (NOP)?
"There indeed my be a need for a comprehensive National Ocean Policy to address serious concerns in the nation's oceans. Sustainable recreational use should not only be supported within a national ocean policy, it should be actively promoted.
(4) How would President Romney improve NOAA's failure to commit to improved science, and the overall lack of support from the fishing community?
"I understand that there is a need to install a new vision of ethic into the management of our nation's marine fisheries. Coastal states have shown a far greater ability to successfully recover and manage marine fishery in their waters. NOAA Fisheries, meanwhile, lurch from crises to crises, with widely fluctuating seasons, limits, and confusing regulations. I believe recreational fishermen are the best stewards of our marine resources. A more responsive, transparent, science and economics-based system is needed to properly manage our marine fishery."
And now the big one:
(5) "Have you given any thoughts as to what type of person you would consider to fulfill the duties of Secretary of Commerce and NOAA Administration. ( Remember, it was the Secretary of Commerce who appointed Pam Dana, over the overwhelming vote of confidence from the peoples of Florida, and the Governor's # 1 choice , Bo, for the Gulf Council position of recreational representative.)
"A Romney Administration would focus on bringing a new philosophy into fishery management that will put the focus back on common sense regulations that can protect and rebuild fisheries when necessary, but will also allow anglers greater access to healthy marine resources.
Common sense regulations. Can't help but wonder how long Lubchenco & Crabtree would last. We can, must, make a difference. We fish, we VOTE! Bob H.
