[MakoMike]

All,
as yu may have heard the Ocean Conservacy, a proported environmentalist group, has started a letter writing campaign to Defeat H.R. 3104 and H.R. 3547, the Freedom to fish act. They want to close most of the shoreline areas, reefs, and other productive ocean areas to all fishing, including recreational fishing. The time to act is now, call or write you Congressman and Senators to support eh freedom to fish act or we might be left with no place to fish. While you're at it you might also want to write to the CEOs of West marine and Anheiser-Bush and tell them what you think of their corporate support of the Ocean Conservacy in their effor to make you golfers.

 

[Mad Mahi]

Groups like the Ocean Conservancy, PETA and the like, are experts in organization, spreading and publicizing their propaganda, as well as fund raising. All the organization and propaganda in the world will do little, however, if the source of revenue is impacted.

The President of the Ocean Conservancy draws nearly $200,000.00 year heading up a non profit organization!

Writing to the elected leaders is one way of getting some action. A stronger and louder tactic is a BOYCOTT.

Tell the blue suits at WEST MARINE (E&B Marine), ANHEUSER_BUSCH, MARINE WORLD, etc., that you will not patronize them if they are funding those organizations that wish to severely limit, if not entirely do away with your fishing rights.

Spread the word to their competitors that you will patronize them instead provided they do not support these same causes.

 

[togmaster]

they are clowns

There was a post about this about 1 month ago. From what I hear and read they are clowns just looking for grants and to start trouble to make a name. don't let it bother you it won't happen.

 

[MakoMike]

Tog,
If you don't let it bother you, you're eventually loose your fishing grounds. all of these green groups are pushing for MPAs and face it sooner or later they're going to get them. I'm sure the folks in FL and CA thought they would never happen either, but they did. The freedom to fish act is the only way we are going to keep our ability to fish once the MPA bandwagon gets going.

 

[sportsman625]

Tog, I agree with Mike these groups will get support from people who do not enjoy the outdoors as we do. Friend of animals started the same way and look what they have tried to do to the hunting commmunity. We have to stay ontop of these groups ie. find out how much they really spend on conservation verses what they spend on fund raising, salary, travel, and the rest or the perks that they give themselves. Lou

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Join pro-fishing organizations

A great way to help combat these guys is to join one of the pro-fishing organizations. They are already established and have political roots. After a discussion last year, I joined the RFA. There are others out there, and they all may have slightly different goals, but their MAIN goal is to preserve fishing. See which one suits you best and then join. That is one of the best ways to let your voice be heard.

 

[617467]

IT'S ALREADY STARTED

you can't fish or launch your boat after dusk within a 5 mile radius of the northport power plant.that includes all beaches and ramps.
the reason my congress man gives.911.
so to all you terorest's (night bass fisherman)out their,remember you cant blow up the power plant at night because it is closed and you WILL get a ticket on your cammel.if you want to blow it up in the morning you'll have to wait till about 6ish before they open the gates. and don't bother stopping at the local B&T shop up the block. he's out of buisness.

thank's for letting me rant

dave

 

[MakoMike]

Guys,
Just to b clear about this, the ocean conservacy, with the support of West Marine and Anheiser-Bush is organizing a letter writing campaign to get congree to vote down the bill. This organization as well as the others pushing for MPAs are not the PETA type radicals that everyone ignores. The label themselves as "environmentalists" and will get enough support to put pressure on NMFS and the other alphabey agencies to get MPAs passed. Joing RFA, CCA or other organizations may help, but nothing will help as much as geting of your butt and writing to your Congreeman and Senators. For you New Yorkers I can easily see the state legislature caving into pressure from PC greens and enacting your very own MPAs withing the three mile limit.

 

[Mad Mahi]

Nobody was prepared for what happened on 9/11 because no one thought anything like that could happen, right here at home . And the people who planned it were doing it for a while basically undetected.

As MakoMike said, it is already gaining momentum in Fla and CA.

I will be sending letters or e-mails to elected officials in the next day or so. I am going to join one or more of the fishing rights organizations mentioned here.

I can't say I will stop buying from WEST MARINE because I never did. And I will stop buying Anheuser Busch products!

 

[Calmwater]

Why would West Marine oppose the "Freedom to Fish" act? I think most boat owners fish and no fishing can't be good for them.

 

[MakoMike]

Calmwater,
That's why we need to write to them, they don't realize what they are doing in supporting the Ocean Conservacy. If we make them, and all of their customers, aware of their indirect opposition to the Freedom to fish act, I'll bet they pull their support fro the ocean conservacy and support the freedom to fish act.

 

[614851]

write letters, not e-mail, to politicians

if you want your views to receive the proper consideration.

 

[Mad Mahi]

What they already got, and where they want to go..

The ocean conservancy wants to turn ONLY 5% of the world oceans into MPAs or NO FISHING IN ANY FORM zones.

These are all relatively close to shore and include areas that are in or near some of the most productive fishing areas in some select areas of the world.

They have no desire to restrict the deep water, offshore areas. Probably because their pristine and expensive little waterfront mansions aren't out in the middle of the ocean.

Our fellow fisherman in Florida and California are already feeling the pain of the loss of valuable fishing areas. WE cannot wait until these selfless idiots do the same to us.

Here is what they already have (accomplished in 2001):
Channel Islands, California
Glacier Bay, Alaska
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Prince William Sound, Alaska
San Andrés Archipelago, Colombia
Tortugas, Florida

Do you want to see the following areas added???????
Montauk Point
Peconic Bay
Fire Island National Seashore
Great South Bay
Eastern Long Island Sound
Jamaica Bay
Sandy Hook
Cape Cod
Block Island
Natucket Sound
Martha's Vineyard
Gulf Of Maine, etc., etc.

These are the areas that they are likely to try next if they are not already on some agenda.

Do some research, and see if you don't get angry or a little concerned !

Here is a good place to start the fight against the Ocean Conservancy:

http://www.freedomtofish.org/f2f/

After reading about what you can do, and who some of the players on our side are, go check out the Ocean Conservancy web and see what unscientific propaganda they are managing to get away with!!

Write your congresspersons, tell your fishing buddies, join a fishing rights group and boycott WESTMARINE, Anheuser-Busch,SeaWorld, and all those that support banning your right to fish!

 

[Calmwater]

I wrote to West Marine and here is their reply:

West Marine has been unfairly associated with The Ocean Conservancy's
position opposing the "Freedom To Fish Act". Here are the facts:
·West Marine totally supports the rights of recreational anglers
·West Marine actively supports and works with many fishing
organizations, including United Anglers of Southern California, the
Recreational Fishing Alliance, the Recreational Boating and Fishing
Foundation, and Coastal Conservation Association
·West Marine did give a grant to The Ocean Conservancy in support of
clean boating programs, and our donation was allocated only to the
"Good Mate" clean water program, and cannot be used for anything
else
·We did not adequately do our homework on all of The Ocean
Conservancy's positions and programs and we do not support or
endorse any of their other positions and programs
·We did offer a member sign- up program, which has ended

We hope this message clarifies our position and, we apologize for not
better understanding The Ocean Conservancy's position on this
important issue. Please feel free to send me your thoughts and response.
We value your opinion!

 

[MakoMike]

Calmwater,
Good going! At least they realize they made a mistake. Someone else, on another board, wrote to Anheiser Busch and they are also dropping their support of the ocean conservacy. But its still important for all of us to write to our congressman and senators.