Business of fishing based on health of our planet's resources

[Sam]

This winter, bills were put before the Maryland House and Senate that called for a ban on hydraulic clam dredging in our coastal bay waters. The ink was probably not even dry on the first drafts of the bills before the age-old argument about "putting people out of business" was re-ignited and the debates began.


And I'm sure that over in Annapolis, down on the docks, out in boatyards, parking lots and across the counters of tackle shops, diners, bars and meeting rooms, more than just a few lively discussions ensued as those who had interest or concern for the issues vented their thoughts.


Hydraulic clam dredging has been widely debated for almost a decade. Of course, any kind of regulation that would put people out of business is going to be a hot topic. And understandably so, after all, isn't our government supposed to protect and support our rights to work and make a fair living? How can laws be passed that would suddenly tell someone that the work they've been legally doing for so many years, that's been both sanctioned and permitted by the government, is now illegal and they'll have to find another way to earn a living from here on out? The debate last month was over the method of hydraulic clam dredging; the issue could have easily been the use of trawl nets, gill nets, long-lines, crab pots or purse-seines, and let's not forget there will always be a line of folks ready to duke it out when it comes to new catch limits.


It can be easy to make the argument against new laws when they result in hardships on those who will lose their jobs and businesses. But when it comes to fishery issues, one must keep in mind that we're not talking about businesses involved with manufacturing, retail, agriculture, maintenance or so forth; here we have businesses that exist solely for the purpose of harvesting (public) natural resources on public property. Even without government regulation, the life of the business is dependent upon the health and abundance of the resource. Once the resource is exhausted, folks can cry, scream, jump up and down, call their elected officials, make as much ruckus as they want and it won't save their business -- when the resource is gone it's gone.New limits and regulations typically impact commercial fishermen the hardest, but recreational anglers are not immune from being stung. Closed seasons, smaller bag limits, larger size limits, it all adds up to what some claim to be too much interference by the government on their "right" to participate in traditional fisheries.


But then again, where do you draw the line? There are millions and millions of recreational anglers, and while an individual may account for only a small impact on the fishery and the environment, between us all we have the potential for doing some real damage if not kept in check.
Twenty-one years ago I decided to go into the charter fishing and guide service. My decision to invest everything I had into this line of work, was, and still is, based on the fact that there are enough fish swimming around Delmarva that people are inclined to pay me to take them fishing.
I knew going in to the business that my livelihood was dependent upon the whims of Mother Nature. Without the fish, some decent weather and a good-running boat -- I'm out of business.


I surely hope I'm never "regulated" out of the business. But when I took this job I accepted the fact that it could happen, and I will hope that those in charge of managing our planet's resources will always do so, not so that I or anyone else can "stay in business," but first and foremost for the health and well-being of the resources themselves.

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[Bohica]

An interesting viewpoint. However, a ban on the rape of bay bottoms is still a good thing.