November 12, 2018 — Poaching is back and apparently, as popular as ever. The recent arrest of a local businessman for being more than twice the normal average of greedy is, sadly, yet another reminder of man’s weakness when it comes to taking, which in this case, is the same as stealing. This was his third offense. Social media is ablaze with good people calling for, finally, the justice system to make an example of someone sneaking more than what we have determined is a fair share. What’s a fair share is a whole different argument. What clearly is needed here and now is justice for the environment and one whipper of a judgment. Most crimes have a victim; this one has a sea and shoreline full.
Poaching has deep roots winding its way to wallets and pocketbooks across the globe. Rhinos in South Africa, elephants in Southeast Asia, deer in the states; the end results are similar: a resource gets plundered for capital gain or garage freezers.
How long will greed, disrespect for our environment and blatant, planned ignorance of not just our laws but of the respect they require, meet with just a small fine and two line notice in a small town paper? This most recent arrest is a daily news reminder that our system isn’t operating to its potential. I propose a solution.