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Let Em Spawn is Much Needed Legislation


From: Long Gone On PI
Date: 8/11/2019
Time: 1:02:53 PM

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I write this post in response to Tiderunner’s post “Let Them Spawn... A Threat to Local Business and Economy.” Let me first say that I have been a follower of this blog for many years, and have appreciated the thoughtful posts that Tiderunner has posted over the years, many of which I have agreed with. However, I strongly disagree with him on this issue, and in support of my position on this I have included a link to a website that shares my view.

I have noted many times that “Fishing ain’t what it used to be.” I’m 38 years old and have been fishing in NC since I was a child. My father taught me. His father taught him. All from NC. The fishing I have done has been recreational, and my experiences are anecdotal (not scientifically tested and reviewed). However, my experiences fishing in NC (specifically shore fishing at the coast) are consistent with what the scientific community is telling us: (1) fishing stocks are lower, (2) the size of the fish caught are smaller, and (3) are fishing practices, commercial primarily, are not sustainable. The result is we have less fish overall, and will likely have even fewer fish in the future if changes are not made. This legislation is meant to address that, and I agree with it.

The claims made by those in opposition to the Let Em Spawn legislation have been made by many for years. All the while, the fishing stocks get lower and the fish get smaller. If I had to sum up the argument, I would say it goes like this “if it is not perfect legislation (addressing all expressed concerns), then it should not be enacted.” These arguments/claims fundamentally miss the point -beginning the process of repairing a broken system. I’ll concede that there is no perfect legislation. Never has been. But I will accept legislation that attempts to address the problem even if not perfectly. This is preferable in my mind to the alternative - status quo. Further, the legislation can be changed and most certainly will be if the provisions are not having the intended effect.

I’ll close by saying we are not the first state to face this issue. A number of other states have done so, and have enacted similar legislation to Let Em Spawn, and have experienced tremendous rebounds in fish stocks and sizes to the benefit of recreational and commercial fishermen alike. Alaska and Florida come to mind. NC have some of the most amazing estuary systems in the world. At their peak, they were incredibly productive. One only has to look at the writings of the Wright Bros or the pictures in the PI Ferry Office for evidence of this. A lot has changed since those times. A lot has changed since those times and now, but there is nothing, aside from our willingness, that prevents us from getting back to improved fishing.

Support Let Em Spawn.

-Long Gone On PI

Check this Link:
https://ccanc.org/let-em-spawn-legislation-passes-house-despite-effort-to-kill-it/