MWA president comments on poachers

[hackeyfly]

From todays Sunpaper ..."They're just stupid," said Simns of the poachers. "I can't believe they'd do that with the legislature in session. They're just giving [recreational groups] ammunition."

Speaks volumes.
Pat in Joppa

[kwk]

Well, that sums it up nicely ...

[Baldzilla 2.0]

damn legislature in session

[DAndrews]

damn legislature in session

Timing is everything.

[Wild Bill]

Daggone it Larry, if the legislature was not in session, maybe it would not matter. These poachers should be a little more considerate of Larry's position. They may make his job a little more difficult. What a shame.

[crabby and son]

How inconsideratedoh..........Gary

[ctb]

Scum.

[capt.george]

GOOD MORNING MARYLAND !!!!!Its 0500 & all is well---The Axes & Mauls of our winter Soothsayers & SEA LAWYERS , are Sharpening the Wedges of Discontent for a Final State Shattering Blow to the Dreams We had in the 80's & 90's of a "WORLD CLASS STRIPED BASS FISHERY"

--As one of few Survivors of a Past ERA I in all good Concience , Can Not see 5 years of Sacrifice go down the Drain W/O bareing my Soul-My Hells Kitchen Grandmother Taught me as a short pants brat that ,"if you keep Quiet, when ya should Speak up , your'e a Coward"
--I feel like the Native American in yesteryear ads with the tear rolling down his face , I'm sure it was because of the way his world had come to an ABRUPT END--I forsee a Maryland Chesapeake Fishery in Shambles if we Don't Regroup & Regroup Quickly --

The Captain Larry Simns, Capt.Rich Navotney, Capt. Eddie O'Brien, Capt. Brady Bounds,Capt. Glenn James RIP & MANY other Rusty Crusties that Served as Maryland State Comm. on our Fishery Boards hopefully will agree with Some of my thoughts-

This IN Fighting between user groups must Cease-I, as well as you are Disgusted with events of this last Anchor Net discovery but have Sincere Questions as to whom placed them ?? But Try to have a little Respect & Empthy for the man , OUR State's Fishery Comm. for several Decades That has Served his Constituants, as well as WE the Md. Recreational Fishermen in Crucial Voting in the past --E.G. the 15 days in Dec.-Accepting 36" Max. size Limit Etc.Capt. Simns Has Broader shoulders than any Man you'll see on the tube in Texas today --That goes forALL our Maryland Fisheries Comm. PAST & presemt--

Hopefully the ASMFC States From Maine to No. Carolina, The Newspapers that have fed at the Trough like Hamshire Pigs , Intrested Individuals, Will like We DID on the MARYLAND Reef Program , Buy a Little Piece of the Reward Fund --How about it Candy, Pamala , George, Gotta Go --Nuff Said --geo.

[rla69]

He is not upset by the poaching but they picked a bad time to get caught.This is typical of their attitude,they own the water they own the fish and we are a nuisance to them.

[salty sam]

So if the legislature wasn't in session it would be OK then? If that's the true extent of his comment then he's not coming out and saying it's wrong. I hope not but if so then it sends a loud message that requires a hard line from the DNR/state. Just pathetic.

[Graybeard]

Eminent Brothers,
Say what you will for our old buddy Larry Simms. But he was, and maaybe still is, a powerful lobbiest in the political arena for the MWA. I think the reporters still go to him because he is always good for few decent quotes to spice up their stories. They hit the jackpot with this quote and the 99% honest/1% dishonest quotes. There are honest and hard working waterman out there who cherish their hetitage and are commited stewards of the Bay. And I hope they can hang on in these tough economic times. BUT....IMHO there are far too many crimes being committed out there under the guise of being true watermen of the Chesapeake. The political process must stop making excuses for them and protecting them. Maybe the time is right to use all that ammunition we were given

[Harlan seller]

Kinda reminds me of this infamous quote from Tony Hayward:
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MTdKa9eWNFw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Just a plain old stupid comment - opening his mouth before thinking

[Big E]

From todays Sunpaper ..."They're just stupid," said Simns of the poachers. "I can't believe they'd do that with the legislature in session. They're just giving [recreational groups] ammunition."

Speaks volumes.
Pat in Joppa

I cant even believe I just read this quote. Now I might be wrong but by saying "I can't belive they'd do that" he is inferring two things. One they are definetly commercial watermen, which we thought, and two he almost seems to know who "they" are. Now the doing "that while the legislature is in session" comment well that is just down right ignorant. How any user group can look to a guy who makes comments like that as a leader and political lobbiest is beyond me. That is almost a slap in the face of every elected official in Annapolis right now. I love how they are punishing the whole for a few folk's misguided steps. This isnt the first time in history it has happened and certainly wont be the last. When given enough rope they will most certainly hang themselves.

-Evans

[C-Hawk18]

I cant even believe I just read this quote. Now I might be wrong but by saying "I can't belive they'd do that" he is inferring two things. One they are definetly commercial watermen, which we thought, and two he almost seems to know who "they" are. Now the doing "that while the legislature is in session" comment well that is just down right ignorant. How any user group can look to a guy who makes comments like that as a leader and political lobbiest is beyond me. That is almost a slap in the face of every elected official in Annapolis right now. I love how they are punishing the whole for a few folk's misguided steps. This isnt the first time in history it has happened and certainly wont be the last. When given enough rope they will most certainly hang themselves.

-Evans

If you read Larry's last entry in the Waterman Gazette I think you will get a better understanding of what he meant. Back in December Larry wrote his article and made mention of "giving ammunition" and Poaching that is being committed by Licensed Waterman.(Looks like Larry is even assuming it was Licensed Waterman who placed the nets) If you had read that first (I'd venture that 99% here haven't) I think you would understand better how he "meant" for his words to be understood.
I think Graybeard summed it up best.
I think the reporters still go to him because he is always good for few decent quotes to spice up their stories.

[BayViews]

The comments by Mr. Simns are absolutely amazing. He certainly views recreational fishermen as the evil empire and the legislature as a possible threat. My only concern is that the the policy of the DNR may be influenced by the Waterman's Asso. After all, the DNR indicated they checked with the Asso. before closing the season. Hopefully the DNR will do what is best for the rockfish population (which is to the benefit of all interested groups), without regard to outside pressure. - Maybe wishful thinking.

[C-Hawk18]

The comments by Mr. Simms are absolutely amazing. He certainly views recreational fishermen as the evil empire and the legislature as a possible threat. My only concern is that the the policy of the DNR may be influenced by the Waterman's Asso. After all, the DNR indicated they checked with the Asso. before closing the season. Hopefully the DNR will do what is best for the rockfish population (which is to the benefit of all interested groups), without regard to outside pressure. - Maybe wishful thinking.

Word replacement game - try this

replace "Mr Simns" (the correct spelling) with "a majority of TF posters"
replace "he" with "they"
replace "recreational" with "commercial"
replace "Waterman's Asso." with "groups representing recreational anglers (CCA, MSSA, RFA, etc.)"

The above would then be just as "truthful" wouldn't you agree?

[BayViews]

An interesting argument C-Hawk18.
Point taken.
We all have to be careful of jumping to conclusions based on quotes or remarks which may have been taken out of context.

[Hockleyneck]

Word replacement game - try this

replace "Mr Simns" (the correct spelling) with "a majority of TF posters"
replace "he" with "they"
replace "recreational" with "commercial"
replace "Waterman's Asso." with "groups representing recreational anglers (CCA, MSSA, RFA, etc.)"

The above would then be just as "truthful" wouldn't you agree?

The reality is the commercial waterman are better organized and have more stick politically than recs. It would appear Mr Simns has done an excellent job promoting the commercial fisherman's needs. Illegal netting does not help with the PR game, and this last event will probably impact many who make a living working on the water. B-Faithful posted a link to a Sun Paper article from last year and more illegal netting. Last year's illegal nets were not written about or discussed like this event in 2011. Anybody wonder why this was not a bigger issue last year? Too bad the recs do not have somebody like Simns working for them, he has a done an excellent job for the MWA..

[Gerald]

Last year they pulled about 8.5 miles of illegal gill nets out of the bay.

[hippie]

Is all of this bickering really about rec. vs. comm.? If it is, hey, give it up. We all know the comm.(netting, crabbing & oysters) is on it's way out. That segment of society cannot sustain itself in the modern working world, so why argue with them! Time will take its toll. Example: look at the steel industry in Pittsburg, the car makers in Detroit, what did the cotton gin do to the "cotton pickers" work force, we had a strong rail road work force until they began to shut down and where did all the small farmers go?

It's a changing society so get ready for those changs!

[hackeyfly]

The Detroit car industry is roaring back quickly and the Cotton Gin analogy is like making a case for gill nets in terms of efficiency. The majority may succeed in destroying the minority watermen but not without a fight. Move to Maine and go after the Lobstermen or to Alaska and kill their commercial crabbing industry, maybe to PA and lobby to get rid of the Amish. Maryland workboats and watermen are synonymous with the State of Maryland. Fortunately, most lawmakers and other politicians understand Maryland's Chesapeake Bay heritage and will continue to help preserve a valuable icon that people who drive BMWs and frequent Starbucks simple cannot appreciate. If the latest poaching incidents result in elimination of gill nets, I won't be surprised but to claim that commercial crabbing, oystering and fishing are on their way out, that's a pipe dream for weekend warriors.
Jim, I generally find your posts well informed, cogent, and respectful to all positions, and believe me, this contributor appreciates it. But can you point me to any wild harvest that has been able to sustain itself as technology increases in efficiency many times over? OK, I'll give you anything in Alaska(they seem to have figured it out, but they have a HUGE budget for management/enforcement). I'll also give you Maine lobsters, though again it seems that the state puts in the effort necessary to maintain a sustainable industry. I don't think the number of lobstermen is growing, though. On the other hand, lets look at wild ducks in MD, buffalo in the great plains, passenger pigeons, oysters in MD, clams in MD, tunas of all species, sharks, whales, herring, shad, cod, billfish, sea bass, weakfish, old growth forest and on and on and on. Unless wild harvest is regulated with an iron fist, the targeted species collapses. Show me some happy endings where wild harvest is concerned. I'm not saying get rid of it, I'm saying it has to be VERY tightly controlled to be sustainable. More tightly controlled than most who participate in wild harvest are willing to endure.
Pat in Joppa

[hackeyfly]

I hear ya, Jim. This whole deal has me really upset, and I have tried to limit my venom to the folks who are acting with criminal intent. I've not joined the chorus to get rid of watermen, I want them around as stewards of the resource and a symbol of American ideals that a man(or woman) can go out and thru hard work, make a living for themselves. But when the resource is gone, we all lose. I have no issue with reducing the rec quota, I'd love to see trophy season pushed back to May 15 and the limit at 40" or better. I'd like to see bait fishing closed during the Flats C&R season. That'll get me in very hot water with a lot of other recs, but I don't care. It's the right thing to do to. There's plenty of scum recs out there, I see 'em every spring, and I won't hesitate to drop a dime on someone intentionally abusing the fishery. If someone sees me loading a striper into my truck during flats season, theres no foul in them dropping a dime on me. No different than calling the cops if you see someone going thru your neighbors window. I try to avoid other folks business, but if something foul gets under my nose, I'm gonna try to eliminate the smell.
Pat in Joppa

[OldSalt46]

ok