I realize this is a break from the ordinary, but through subtle manipulation by readers and numerous requests for my opinion I offer the following…
What Choice and When?
A good bit of interest has been generated in recent months for support in rebuilding the American Fisheries Act. The circumstances surrounding impacts imposed by the well-known Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act, revised, in January of 2007 appear to be overly restrictive. Whether the impact of these revisions were unintentional or the original intent was lost in the clouds of political fervor seems to be a major issue.
If the government is acting on behalf of those they represent, where then lies the discontent? As it is presented, there are a good many unintended impacts that are overly restrictive through management of the act itself. Unrealistic deadlines based on poor data are forcing recreational and commercial fishermen to become disillusioned by those who claim to represent their interests. Many have chosen to take their grievances further than the dockside roundtable. They are a force to be reckoned with and their numbers are great.