And Flatts/Mike/whoever, please keep in mind that I'm only posting this here for informational purposes.
Nils
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Asbury Park Press
May 11, 2008
Network's actions not working for JCAA, allies
The Marine Fish Conservation Network's use of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association name, and the names of all of the JCAA member clubs, in opposing changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act is promoting more ill will in the New Jersey fishing community.
The fluke fishery could be aided by changes in the law, but the Network is working actively to prevent this, and freely using JCAA's name as supportive of this position.
Thomas P. Fote, legislative chairman of the JCAA, defends the organization's association with MFCN with the argument that it is better to attempt to influence the MFCN at the table than to oppose them from outside.
Tony Bogan, president of the United Boatmen, and Jim Hutchinson Jr., executive editor of The Fisherman Magazine, disagree.
"Working with someone when your goals are similar and "allying' yourself with them and giving them use of your organization's name ? as JCAA and others have done ? are two different things," Bogan said.
"We have all "worked' with groups on occasion though we may mostly disagree with their positions," he added. "Allying yourself with MFCN or groups like them lends a credibility to the network that may not exist (since the aforementioned recreation groups are speaking out against the Network's actions at least to the network itself), and detracts from the "recreational' credibility as a result."
Hutchinson believes that if no recreational fishing organization representatives were at the MFCN "table," the Network would lose its claim to being the voice of anglers.
"That is, without fishing groups," he said, "the Network is just another radical environmental business organization partially funded by Pew, lobbying in support of marine protected areas, and represented purely by its founding members, like the Ocean Conservancy, a group which openly opposes the creation of artificial reefs for fishing and tourism.
"The Fisherman Magazine obviously cannot associate itself with organizations like these, and has asked JCAA to make the same stance," Hutchinson added.
Hutchinson, along with magazine advertising manager John DeBona and managing editor Karen E. Wall, met with Fote and the JCAA's board of directors Jan. 30 to discuss the problem, and the JCAA board stood firm on its position.
"Our participation in the Network has been discussed many times at JCAA board and general membership meetings, and members of the Marine Fish Conservation Network have been present for some of these discussions," Fote said.
"The general consensus of the JCAA membership maintains that there is still value in being represented in the Network," he added. "Fishing groups that do not belong to the Network cannot influence its decisions."
"MFCN has begun its full-court press on preventing any and all changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which is the key to our survival," Bogan countered.
"Not just with fluke, but with all fisheries," he added. "This goes beyond fluke, it goes beyond 2008 ? this fight was never about 2008 in the first place ? and the Marine Fish Conservation Network knows it."
Wall emphasized the survival aspect of the matter, and the need for JCAA to recognize that for the recreational fishery to remain viable there must be unity in the angling community.
"Let's face it," she said. "We're getting hit from every side ? blackfish, winter flounders, fluke, weakfish, tilefish, tuna ? they'll be after us again on porgies and sea bass before long."
Fote said the JCAA is concerned about new directions that the Pew Foundation is moving in and the impacts that those decisions will have on the Network.
"The Network represents a diverse and influential group of interests and the JCAA will try to steer it to also represent the best interests of the angling community," he said.
Bogan sees it otherwise: "It is a failed attempt at "change' in my opinion."
The Magnuson-Stevens Act was passed by Congress in 2006 in part from pressure from the Network and use of the JCAA's name.
"While I am sure there were good intentions at the start, they have been lost in the chorus of conservation for conservation's sake that is sung by MFCN," Bogan said.
This post edited by NilsS 09:13 AM 05/12/2008
Nils
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Asbury Park Press
May 11, 2008
Network's actions not working for JCAA, allies
The Marine Fish Conservation Network's use of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association name, and the names of all of the JCAA member clubs, in opposing changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act is promoting more ill will in the New Jersey fishing community.
The fluke fishery could be aided by changes in the law, but the Network is working actively to prevent this, and freely using JCAA's name as supportive of this position.
Thomas P. Fote, legislative chairman of the JCAA, defends the organization's association with MFCN with the argument that it is better to attempt to influence the MFCN at the table than to oppose them from outside.
Tony Bogan, president of the United Boatmen, and Jim Hutchinson Jr., executive editor of The Fisherman Magazine, disagree.
"Working with someone when your goals are similar and "allying' yourself with them and giving them use of your organization's name ? as JCAA and others have done ? are two different things," Bogan said.
"We have all "worked' with groups on occasion though we may mostly disagree with their positions," he added. "Allying yourself with MFCN or groups like them lends a credibility to the network that may not exist (since the aforementioned recreation groups are speaking out against the Network's actions at least to the network itself), and detracts from the "recreational' credibility as a result."
Hutchinson believes that if no recreational fishing organization representatives were at the MFCN "table," the Network would lose its claim to being the voice of anglers.
"That is, without fishing groups," he said, "the Network is just another radical environmental business organization partially funded by Pew, lobbying in support of marine protected areas, and represented purely by its founding members, like the Ocean Conservancy, a group which openly opposes the creation of artificial reefs for fishing and tourism.
"The Fisherman Magazine obviously cannot associate itself with organizations like these, and has asked JCAA to make the same stance," Hutchinson added.
Hutchinson, along with magazine advertising manager John DeBona and managing editor Karen E. Wall, met with Fote and the JCAA's board of directors Jan. 30 to discuss the problem, and the JCAA board stood firm on its position.
"Our participation in the Network has been discussed many times at JCAA board and general membership meetings, and members of the Marine Fish Conservation Network have been present for some of these discussions," Fote said.
"The general consensus of the JCAA membership maintains that there is still value in being represented in the Network," he added. "Fishing groups that do not belong to the Network cannot influence its decisions."
"MFCN has begun its full-court press on preventing any and all changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which is the key to our survival," Bogan countered.
"Not just with fluke, but with all fisheries," he added. "This goes beyond fluke, it goes beyond 2008 ? this fight was never about 2008 in the first place ? and the Marine Fish Conservation Network knows it."
Wall emphasized the survival aspect of the matter, and the need for JCAA to recognize that for the recreational fishery to remain viable there must be unity in the angling community.
"Let's face it," she said. "We're getting hit from every side ? blackfish, winter flounders, fluke, weakfish, tilefish, tuna ? they'll be after us again on porgies and sea bass before long."
Fote said the JCAA is concerned about new directions that the Pew Foundation is moving in and the impacts that those decisions will have on the Network.
"The Network represents a diverse and influential group of interests and the JCAA will try to steer it to also represent the best interests of the angling community," he said.
Bogan sees it otherwise: "It is a failed attempt at "change' in my opinion."
The Magnuson-Stevens Act was passed by Congress in 2006 in part from pressure from the Network and use of the JCAA's name.
"While I am sure there were good intentions at the start, they have been lost in the chorus of conservation for conservation's sake that is sung by MFCN," Bogan said.
This post edited by NilsS 09:13 AM 05/12/2008
