Forums | XtremeSpearfishing.com 2008-08-25T10:42:10Z Copyright (c) 2008 ExpressionEngine tag:forums.xtremespearfishing.com,2008:08:29 More About Government Meetings tag:forums.xtremespearfishing.com,2008:/viewthread/.215 2008-08-25T10:19:54Z 2008-08-25T10:42:10Z Stone If the forum allows it, I will try to upload some presentations my wife has given to the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), National Marine Fisheries Services, and other FL State and Federal stakeholders.

Of particular interest right now is a proposal from the ACOE to increase the minimum steel thickness (for artificial reef materials) from the current 1/8th inch to at least 1/4 inch (originally they were trying to get 1/2 inch).  If passed, the highly successful private artificial reef programs in Northwest Florida would die.  As a matter of fact, state and county artificial reef programs that use old barges and tugs may not pass the 1/4 inch test.

]]> Government meetings tag:forums.xtremespearfishing.com,2008:/viewthread/.199 2008-08-15T09:05:38Z jsafronoff19 Does anyone know when there are open discussion meetings with the DNR and when to get involved in the rules in the USA?

]]> Your tax money being well spent? tag:forums.xtremespearfishing.com,2007:/viewthread/.38 2007-12-06T08:51:13Z Silverback Are you the Spearfisher aware of how inadequately our sport is being regulated by the authorities? MCM have in their own inimitable way decided that a complete ban on the taking of Garrick(Leevis) and White Musselcracker(Brusher) is a good idea. There are strict limits on these fish and their populations do not appear under threat and in the case of the Garrick it is not even commercially targeted. What is the thinking that goes into these types of decisions?

Recently the taking of Baardman(Tassels) inside of the Aliwal MPA was under scrutiny. This is a resident fish and there is obviously a risk to the population if the catch is not controlled. I have seen numerous specimens whilst freediving but have yet to see one while Scuba diving or for that matter caught with rod and line. So limit the take by all means. Allow a Spearo to take one or two based on solid research. The final decision: No Parrotfish or Wrasse may be taken in the MPA? To impose a blanket ban is ludicrous. It is not based on any sound scientific research and smacks of the bunny-hugging fraternity’s ban the take of anything. This is just pandering to the Scuba enthusiasts. Already no fishing takes place over the crown area and a very small area of this is utilized by the Scuba operators. Why the blanket ban over the entire MPA? I love my Scuba diving and enjoy the crown area immensely but it is foolish to harshly impose poorly thought out regulations of this nature. After all we do represent the most ecologically friendly method of fishing. There is no waste, no bycatch and our impact is negligible. The same cannot be said for SAPPI SAICCOR’s garbage being poured out over the protected crown area!

Recently I read Gletwyn’s Blog and the indication is that the MCM is considering banning all diving Scuba/Spearfishing in certain areas around Port Elizabeth in an effort to curb poaching. So that means that since the MCM patrol boat and the local police have been ineffective at curbing the poaching, we all have to suffer a poorly conceived ban. This is ridiculous. Why not take the ineffective Magistrate’s to task, when they hand down light sentences to poachers, or the police, when they obviously ignore the poaching activity on their doorstep.

Another decision pending, the banning of all Yellowfin Tuna Spearfishing off Cape Point. Every Yellowfin Tuna taken by a Spearo has been photographed and probably published. Why? Because it is a feat that is near impossible to accomplish. Compare that with the wholesale slaughter of Yellowfin Tuna by commercials. I do not believe that more than 1 Yellowfin Tuna is landed by a Spearo for every thousand taken by any other means. Spearfishing’s impact on Yellowfin Tuna is so tiny as to be insignificant!

In conclusion it would appear that if you are a big commercial enterprise, then you are free to spew your garbage into the Ocean (SAPPI SAICCOR is a case in point). If you are ineffective at law enforcement then you can visit your apathy on all the law-abiding members of the public at will (SAPS and MCM). The poachers operate illegally at this stage, is MCM so naive that they think the ban is going to make any difference?

Get involved with SAUFF, these are the guys protecting our interests.

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