Recreational Fishing Alliance Does not Speak for the Millions of Anglers

[Tom Powers]

OK so I stand corrected the first line of the post was:

"News from across the wire for discussion"

So I will say that, in my opinion, RFA does represent a substantial fraction of the east cost recreational fishermen. Where substantial fraction is based on what any given organization is capable of saying that they represent. I will also say that they are New Jersey centric but that is the location of their base constituency.

I will also say that I normally feel that the Marine Fish Conservation Network is generally overkill with what they consider reasonable restrictions, etc. for fishing, as I generally do not agree with total MPAs by any stretch of the imagination. For example areas where there are bottom/deep water reef fish problems . . . there is no problem with fishing for surface feeding fish using techniques that can not have any chance of affecting fish that are at the bottom in 300-plus feet of water.

Tom

[berettafan]

Oh Tom i see that now too. Surely was confusing.

[Matt]

Is "Matt" aka "Matt tinning"?

negative. I do not know that person. I know very little about his work, or his beliefs. I can see he is tweeting disdain for RFA's association with Omega. Does anyone know about that?

[B-Faithful]

RFA supported the menhaden reductions.. It is likely that he is on a witch hunt of the RFA to protect his organizations preservationalist views that deny individual access to acres of our oceans..

http://savemenhaden.wordpress.com/about/

[Matt]

Tinning tweeted this time yesterday: "Still in shock that @joinrfa teamed up with Omega Protein on their rally. Knew they were bad and have been saying so, but this is a scandal."

I don't understand?

[B-Faithful]

RFA strongly supports a bill that would reform MSA and add flexibility to rebuillding stocks that wouldn't just shut down fisheries . It would benefit coastal rec fisherme trmendously. (Ie charters who run black sea bass trips). Reforming MSA also would benefit commercial industries. It is an issue all sectors can unite around.

[Matt]

RFA strongly supports a bill that would reform MSA and add flexibility to rebuillding stocks that wouldn't just shut down fisheries . It would benefit coastal rec fisherme trmendously. (Ie charters who run black sea bass trips). Reforming MSA also would benefit commercial industries. It is an issue all sectors can unite around.

thanks, got it. I admit, I have not been following. RFA has more of a stake in MSA rulemaking since it caters more to the offshore crowd. Looks like the rule in question is about lengthening the amount of time for a stock to rebuild. Sudden closure of fisheries like black sea bass was particularly hard on parts of the industry. Other fisheries though, like menhaden, appear to be on the eve of a windfall. More reading required.

Personally I don't like general loopholes in fishery policy. If a certain group needs relief, governing organizations should consider it on a case by case basis.

[Matt]

case by case basis

[Matt]

who here is huddling with omega?

case by case

[Matt]

It is an issue all sectors can unite around.

or not