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A Modest Proposal - My Modest Opinion
by Tom Siciliano
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association July 2003 Newsletter)
Two weeks ago the long-awaited PEW Commission Report was issued. The Commissioners included Leon Panetta, David Rockefeller, Jr., and Governor George Pataki. There are certainly a lot of good things in the report, which everyone can agree on, but it also includes some recommendations that will be of concern to all sports persons. I will attempt to focus on the positive aspects of the report and point out the areas where you will need to be diligent. This report should be a call to action for the recreational fishing industry and the recreational anglers including fresh water anglers. If this report does nothing else it should unite the recreational fishing community to become more aware of what government is doing and become involved in those decisions which are important to the future not only of fishing but also of the environment. Almost all anglers are deeply concerned about the environment because they appreciate the outdoors and would like to see their grandchildren be able to enjoy the beauty of the world without unnecessary restrictions on access.
The report is very well written and can be very persuasive. It will serve as the platform for protecting not only the ocean’s environment but also all those waters that flow into the ocean. Yes, even the Mississippi River and all the states bordering the Mississippi will be affected by the recommendations in this report.
The first recommendation is to enact a new National Ocean Policy Act to reformulate ocean policy to make healthy marine ecosystems the priority. It would form a separate agency within the government to set unifying principles and standards and establish processes to improve coordination among governments, users of ocean resources and the public. And this is the good part: “Provide adequate funding to accomplish these goals.” The idea set forth is certainly a noble one that very few will disagree with. Unfortunately, it does not replace any system already in place and so would be an additional layer of bureaucracy, which, in my mind, can only slow the rebuilding of fish stocks.
The next recommendation is to establish regional ocean ecosystem councils to develop and oversee the implementation of comprehensive regional ocean governance plans. (What did that say?) (Did a lawyer write that so no one could understand it?) “Regional ocean governance plans should be based on science.” No reasonable person will disagree with that statement in the recommendation. Is it doable and whether will anyone listen once they have the information is another question.
Here is the recommendation that will cause recreational anglers (both fresh and saltwater) the greatest concern: Establish a National System of Marine Reserves. *
*A marine reserve is a type of marine protected area in which all-extractive, additive, or ecologically destructive human activities are prohibited on a lasting basis, except as necessary for evaluation of reserve effectiveness and appropriate research. Destructive human activities include, but are not limited to, those that alter habitats, harm or kill organisms, or change the dynamics of the ecosystem.
I hope that recommendation is clear enough! NO FISHING ALLOWED HERE!!
This one recommendation is the call to action. Take heed - If anglers do not stand up and make themselves heard, your legacy will be that you allowed government to stop you and your grandchildren from enjoying one of the great outdoor experiences.
Recommendation 4 would establish an independent Oceans Agency. The good part of this is that it would be outside of the Department of Commerce and place all existing bureaus and programs under it. (Could this be more Bureaucracy? How about streamlining and eliminating those parts that are not effective or are not worth the effort?)
Recommendation 5 establishes a permanent national oceans council within the Executive Office of the President to provide interagency coordination on oceans issues and resolve interagency disputes. This raises the ocean to a cabinet level position so would certainly make the importance of the ocean clear to all people. That has a lot of positive things to be said about it. Yet, could this be just another level of bureaucracy?
The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is another group that will also issue a report on the state of our oceans. Their report is due in September and will probably include many of the same recommendations as the PEW Commission Report. Stay tuned. If it says exactly the same things then the issue will heat up and we could see legislative action on a priority basis.
What are we as anglers to do?
Keep alert. Read all you can both pro and con about this issue and make up your own mind. There will be a lot of positive parts of this report that should move forward and be part of a national dialogue to improve the state of the oceans, our environment and help to conserve fish for the future so they can be enjoyed by our grandchildren and their grandchildren.
Get involved. Volunteer your time and talents to the JCAA on this or other issues that interest you. There are a lot of opportunities and talented people are needed to research the issues and bring forth recommendations to your fellow fishermen.
Stay tuned. The JCAA will be reporting on progress and will ask for your specific help.
on.