Capt.Ron/Fishermen/NO GUTS!!!!

[1captainron]

The 2009 season is quickly coming to an end, just when the bigger fish are starting too bite. We have lost over 40 prime days of Fluke fishing in the past few years. Do you think that's chump change?
No, who the hell is going to make a living trying to catch Magic Weakfish that hopefully will appear in force? Who's going to make a living trying to catch Porgies (which are excellant fighting fish on light tackle and great eating) and Pin Sea Bass?
Answer: NO-ONE! Boats are going to be tied to the dock while a viable fishery still excists.
Labor day weekend I suggested all the boats in Atlantic Highlands go against the grain, keep the Fluke signs up, call the TV people, The news people and any other News hungry folks out there and let them know this is our protest against what's going on. Lock me up, pay the fine, it's my right to protest the BS going on! Let the politicians know how serious a situation we are in.
Yet, we sit back and take it without a word of Anger (except amongst ourself's.)
Has any one in this business even attempted to get an extension of the season due to the hard economic times, the loss of business due to weather? NO. Hell, I can't even get any of the guys to man a both at the SSFFF during the winter.
Point is: In strength, we have numbers and power, hidding your head in the sand and being complacent gets you nothing. Today we have to fight for what we beleave. Just a total shame that no-one beleaves or has any fight left!!!!
Excuse me if I have offended any self rightous law abidding citizens here, but the guys who threw the Tea in the harbor had no problem with you, and it certainly made a differance! Just sad nobody has any balls left. With that goes our pride, or heritage, without so much as a fight......they win.
Spell check didn't work, sorry for that!!!! Capt.Ron

[Hotrod]

Yea Capt Ron. I feel for you captains that try and make a living off this fishery.

And to shut it down for labor day weekend is like closing the boardwalks for the weekend.  It's a shame.   

[ChrisL]

But they had the season open for Memorial Day weekend when all the fish would be short.  So they would rather a bunch of fish be caught, released and potentially die instead of giving everyone a good chance at catching the keepers Labor Day weekend.   

[Pfishingruven]

I have said from the beginning when I read that NJ was over quota for last year that this is all a bunch of BS!  I, however, don't make a living off of fishing and don't feed my family from my catches so...I support the SSFFF and your cause 110%, but don't have a vested interest in it like many people do.  I also feel bad for the Captains and businesses that will be affected by this.  If you can afford the fine...then protest and do the crime.  I think media coverage of this issue is certainly warranted whether you fish during the closed season or not.

Closing the season for Labor Day Weekend was absolutely crazy.  Any one who knows anything about fishing, knows that the fluke season is ALWAYS better later in the season!

Like Rod said, what would happen if the the Boardwalks were ordered closed or the beaches ?

 

[Luna Sea 5]

for me.. I will be crabbing after the fluke season shuts down, until the sripers pick up.

[hiking]

I feel for you capt. Ron, you were having such a great run.  I don't know what I can do to help, but I would help out with manning a booth if I'm not working at the time.

[Capt. Birch]

Closing the season for Labor Day Weekend was absolutely crazy.  Any one who knows anything about fishing, knows that the fluke season is ALWAYS better later in the season!

Like Rod said, what would happen if the the Boardwalks were ordered closed or the beaches ?

 
[/quote]

Its about managing quotas and not when the good fishing is. I feel for Ron and many of the other fulltime Capt's who's life is really tide to it. The passion for their livelihood is unreal. I was at  a fishery meeting at Trumps  years ago when bad statistics started being rammed down the industries throat and a certain "unnamed" capt had to be restrained and asked to leave. He knew that a hard way to make a living was about to be turned into an almost impossible way. It was like watching a farmer being taken off his land and just put a knot right in my stomach. What I and many believe is the real issue is the quota numbers and real stock assessments. The way it is set up now good fishing this year could mean the possibly of potential drastic cuts next year even with a total quota increase.. Factor in if NY gets an increase in quota percentage and it could be a sad 3 years. IMHO What we need is good science(thank you ssfff), a declaration that the fishery is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring and that the fishery is fully rebuilt and put it on a management plan and not a rebuilding plan. As much as I respect Capt Ron(and Capt I do have very much respect for you and your 1st class operation)I very much disagree with the whole lets do something after the official season ends thing. I believe the assessments and  quota are the problem not calender dates. Would I be considered to have "big balls" if I kept a box of the 16 and 17 inch fish that I landed this week or 14 and 15inch guts hooked  ones or would I be considered a poacher or worse. The net is a buzz with what can happened  when a boat cuts shorts fish.I have not seen one headline claiming that the boat was just standing up against an unjust and unfair management system. IMHO all the current size limits in the NE are bordering on criminal when used as a management tool.The fishes own biology does not support this tool and the increase in release mortality is a waste.I wish Capt Ron  a long productive bass season and the best in all he does.We can agree to disagree and he will have my support on "most" upcoming  issues. Good luck capt.

Capt Birch