As we decide, or let's say the state decides how to spend the money that the new fishing tax, sorry fishing license, will raise, the one thing that they keep dangling in front of us is that they will build more artificial reefs. I'm not a fan of these reefs as I see them as a fish trap. As a place where the crustaceans and bait fish naturally attract a bunch of fish so we can catch them. Is this going to make our fisheries better or worse? If there was no reef, wouldn't we be fishing anyhow? Isn't finding your own spots what this sport is all about?
Don't get me wrong; they sure do attract fish. But is that what we're trying to achieve? Shouldn't we be trying to rebuild our stocks? Maybe save them from the 1-million ghost pots in the Long Island Sound.
Havens said Maryland and Virginia had robust programs to clean up ghost pots from about 2008 to 2012 using federal grants. But that money dried up and the programs have become “episodic” at best, he added.
I think the money would be better spent on the fishery's future. We need a project like this that will eradicate these non stop killing machines. The other day when our crew of Capt Mike, Snapperhead and Longcast returned to the dock, Longcast saw an old line attached to a float and pulled it up. It was a small crab trap that appeared to be that for years. When Longcast was ready to drop it back in, being as it wasn't his, he noticed a few crabs and, sadly 6 baby togs about the size of his hand that he released. Imagine how many fish are being killed in these pots every day.
Anyhow I'm curious if there are any opinions on this?
Don't get me wrong; they sure do attract fish. But is that what we're trying to achieve? Shouldn't we be trying to rebuild our stocks? Maybe save them from the 1-million ghost pots in the Long Island Sound.
NOAA’s scientists estimated removing ghost pots over six years could lead to more than $30 million in additional catch for watermen.
Havens said Maryland and Virginia had robust programs to clean up ghost pots from about 2008 to 2012 using federal grants. But that money dried up and the programs have become “episodic” at best, he added.
I think the money would be better spent on the fishery's future. We need a project like this that will eradicate these non stop killing machines. The other day when our crew of Capt Mike, Snapperhead and Longcast returned to the dock, Longcast saw an old line attached to a float and pulled it up. It was a small crab trap that appeared to be that for years. When Longcast was ready to drop it back in, being as it wasn't his, he noticed a few crabs and, sadly 6 baby togs about the size of his hand that he released. Imagine how many fish are being killed in these pots every day.
Anyhow I'm curious if there are any opinions on this?
