There was once a time that fishing was accepted as a legitimate method for putting food on the table. I remember growing up spending summers with my grandparents in Tennessee. When we fished, we fished for supper. There was no sport in it – although it was fun, and everyone, including Grandma participated. Nothing was wasted, and we took what we needed for supper that night.
As I grew older, my father guided me and I have guided my children in the same vein. That guidance says we don’t keep or destroy anything that we do not plan to eat, be it fish or game. That necessarily means we keep enough to eat, and the rest swim free.
Some would call fishing a God given right. Some would call it an American or a family heritage. Whatever you call it, it is an activity that is slowly being taken away from you under the ruse of conservation.
Anti-everything organizations, including PETA and the Humane Society have taken the high road and are heavy into very efficient lobbying in state houses and in Washington. They have learned to take the political high road to have regulations legislated.
“No Fish Zones” and MPAs are being established on both US coasts. Efforts to restrict or eliminate fishing in all of our National Parks are alive and well. Your rights are being removed and you don’t even realize it!
The “anti” groups are a very small minority of our population. They are, however well organized and heavily funded. They have a goal – and that goal is to impose upon all of us their personal wishes.
You may say. “Oh, I can fish any time I want. They aren’t bothering me.” Quote that line to California anglers who recently lost over 25% of their prime coastal fishing areas to “no fish zones”
So then you may say, “What can I do? I’m only one person.” That’s easy to answer. You can make a difference. We can all make a difference.
There are a number of web sites like www.freedomtofish.org that are trying to educate the fishing public. There are links on these sites to the addresses for your particular Senators and Congressmen.
We can do our part in this effort by writing to our elected officials and telling them you support the Freedom to Fish legislation. We need this bill passed in both houses very quickly. The antis are right in there fighting to have the bill squashed. Your phone call and letter will help us achieve passage.
Please don’t sit back and think others will do it. You are the “others” in my life, and if I don’t do it and you don’t do it, it won’t happen. Let’s let our voices be heard for a change! Pass the Freedom to Fish Act!
