Throwdowns > Closed

NEW NAME said 07/19, 01:33 PM
Commercial fishing is very good for our coastal communities. This type of fishing provides countless related jobs, from boat builders and bait suppliers, all the way to the folks who work at the local restaurants and markets that specialize in fresh seafood.

All told, commercial fishing brings $28 billion in seafood sales to the economy.

Another aspect we cannot ignore about commercial fishing is that most of these fishermen come from a long family history of fishing. It's not just work, it's a lifestyle and a heritage for these people.

Without commercial fishing the economies of many coastal communities would crumble.

Without commercial fishing, where would we get our wild seafood? Likely imported from other countries, ones that do not have as strict regulations or enforcement on overfishing - creating more undue strain on our oceans.

Or maybe Evil Multi-National Corporations will provide our fish through aquaculture.

Either way, the result would be negative.

Continued commercial fishing, using sustainable methods, is vital to a healthy coastal economy and integral to coastal community life.

GL

NEW NAME said 07/20, 10:24 AM
So we should just import all our seafood to solve the sustainability problem? Your solution likely would have the exact opposite effect.

From which countries are we going to buy the fish from? At least with fish taken from US waters, the fishermen must obey US laws, and therefore some amount of environmental oversight can be achieved. Fishermen can use such techniques as trolling and harpooning that limit the catch to only targeted species. Regulated fishing seasons can help depleted populations regain their viability. These methods, most already in place, control the fishing and help preserve the industry, however tenuous it may be at the moment.

Foreign fishers will use whatever gets the most fish in the cheapest possible way, thereby maximizing their profits. Gil-netting, shallow-set long lining, and trawling methods like bottom dredging will catch everything in their way indiscriminately and therefore have a much more adverse affect on aquatic ecosystems.

Importing provides jobs? Not to workers in coastal communities. Longshoremen in major port cities, maybe, but coastal fishers will be left to the unemployment rolls.

Save the Fish?

Yes!

Eat American Fish!

NEW NAME said 07/21, 10:45 AM
Of course overfishing is a concern. But get your facts right.

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, 77% of the 207 fish stocks in the US were not considered to be overfished. And their "sustainability index" for 230 species has been on the rise for 10 years now

According to the director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries - part of the NOAA - overfishing has continued to decline as more fisheries have continued to rebuild, allowing sustainability in our resources as well as economic opportunity

In NE for example, stocks of Georges Bank Haddock and spiny dogfish have been rebuilt, and have resulted in increased revenues for fishermen for the first time in years

Some of the species considered "overfished" are not driven by overfishing at all. Natural population shifts and climate changes also can drive fish numbers down

Commercial fishing provides 1.9 million jobs in the US. Not all of them are "crappy" jobs either

Leaving fishing in the hands of foreigners? 70% of their stocks ARE exploited or depleted

American's science-based management of our fish stocks is proving to be the most superior method in the entire world

USA! USA! USA - Fish!