 RE: Massachusetts Fishermen/Boaters: Be Informed
Davidd, the map was circulated to a very small group of people who attended a recent Ocean Management Task Force meeting: I have yet to get a copy but i have seen it and the environmental groups are pushing for closures all over cape cod bay including federal waters off the coast of massachusetts. This move is completely unfounded but now seems like as good a time as ever for these groups (who are opportunists) as blanket area closures attached to amendment 13 were met with little resistance from the public. The general public has no idea that these proposals are on the table. Just recently the Mass Marine Trade Association denounced standing up for the Freedom to fish act and said they would take no action and would not host a petition at the boat shows nor take any stance on the issue: they ordered all their members to deny participation. These guys need to realize where their money is coming from and grow some cojones if you know what i mean.
The Rhode Island Marine trade association supported it as well as a huge network of fishermen from their state and got the governor to sign the Act in R.I. We need to act more like our little brother to the south- so far few have stepped up to the plate.
Tuna: here is your answer i think taken from the Mass Striped Bass Assoc. Page
"Freedom To Fish (F2F) is an effort to get legislation on the books of coastal states to prevent unwarranted closures
of state ocean waters. Some environmental groups are pushing hard to make MPA's (Marine Protected Areas) no-take zones. This would apply to all forms of recreational fishing (jigging, trolling, plugging, etc.) and commercial fishing. While some specific areas of state waters might benefit from seasonal closures or gear restrictions because of biological reasons, there is hardly enough logic to keeping entire tracks of open ocean permanently closed to fishing.
The proposed legislation (Freedom to Fish Act) would prevent these arbitrary closures. The proposed legislation lays out clear and definitive criteria upon which any such closures would or should occur and also would require a study for alternative solutions before a closure can occur. IF a closure is actually needed, the proposed legislation more importantly places time frames and reviews on the closures. Once the reason for the closure no longer exists, the closure would then be terminated."
These no-take zones will apply to all fishing. Recently some select wrecks in massachusetts waters have been designated no-fish or dive zones and are suggested to be no-stop zones where you will be fined if you stop in such an area. This has already happened, so the threat to recreational fishing as a whole is the strange truth. If you dont want your angling rights taken away, please contact your representatives in support of the Freedom to Fish Act.
Uncle Matt: This is happening and we are definately getting 'Funked' on this one
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