Drought Threatens Future for Fishermen, Fisheries

A water crisis is looming, with sport fisheries and anglers as the likely losers, according to Jim Martin, conservation director for the Berkley Conservation Institute.

“It’s a problem that no one wants to talk about,” he said, pointing out that have of the continental U.S. now is under drought conditions.

“We have to start talking about it.”

Martin gave that message at a freshwater summit sponsored by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership during the recent Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Okla.

The country needs a plan to prioritize the use of water and to manage development, he said. And the sooner the discussion begins, the more influence that outdoor enthusiasts will have.

Once the crisis hits and recreational use of water is competing against agriculture, manufacturing and urban populations, the fishing industry won't have the votes to compete.

 "A hundred million sportsmen are going to be lost in the shuffle," he said.

Read more in Tulsa World. 

Fishiding Improves Fisheries Reclaimed Materials

Fishiding photo by Engbretson Underwater Photography

Much of the best artificial fisheries habitat comes from Fishiding, one of the sponsors of this website. It’s doing great things to improve fishing using materials that otherwise would end up in a landfill.

That’s why engineers have recommended its products for a restoration effort at California’s Lake Machado near Los Angeles. Reasons include the following:

“The inert, reclaimed PVC limbs will last for decades or more underwater. The PVC material attracts bio-film and peripyton growth excessively, superior to other products. The ability to bend to shape and drop in the water landing upright, is another key feature.”

One of Fishiding’s latest innovations is the bait-ball artificial habitat feeder, created using Floating Island International Technology. It converts nutrients into fish food by providing surface area for the food to grow naturally.

According to Fishiding, “Units can be installed by hanging from piers, docks, rafts, etc., suspended off lake bottom at any desired depth or free-floating within entire water body from surface to any depth.”

If you own private waters in need of habitat or if you’re involved with a habitat project on public waters, you should check out the options that this innovative company offers.

Young Pro Staffer Speaks From the Heart for Gulf Restoration

Here’s a report from Vanishing Paradise about the testimony of its youngest pro staff member during a public meeting in New Orleans. He spoke on behalf of restoration for wetlands and other fisheries habitat on the Gulf Coast.  

Nine-year-old Sean Turner waited patiently for his turn to speak. When his name was called, he marched confidently to the microphone in a room packed wall-to-wall with over 200 policy makers, state and federal agency reps, reporters, scientists, and community leaders. His comments were simple and straightforward. 

"I love to fish in Louisiana and I've done it my entire life. It's important that we're able to fish because it means so much to all of us. This is a lot of money we are talking about. Don't mess this up. I want Louisiana's coast to stay here. I don't want to lose it because of some dumb oil spill."

As he uttered the last word of the simple message that came straight from his 9-year-old heart, the entire room BURST.... I mean literally BURST into riotous applause and shouts of support. People followed him out of the room clamoring to share words of thanks, support, and encouragement.

In a room of conservation, legal, scientific and policy professionals, Sean made the most honest and meaningful statement. Subsequent speakers cited his comments as they spoke to the RESTORE council representatives. "Sean said it best. We have to get this right. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to make sure that his generation has the opportunity to experience the Louisiana we love, and to share it with their children. We have to get this right"

I couldn't be more proud of Sean and his mother Marissa. They drove from their home an hour away, on their dime, to make their feelings know and to make a statement for future generations.
And Sean did it better than anyone in the room.

Go here to learn more.

Angler Input Sought for Bass Regulations in Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants input from anglers about largemouth bass regulations. To facilitate that, a series of open houses are set for around the state.

“This is an opportunity for anglers to provide their thoughts and ideas about Florida largemouth bass regulations. Should they stay the same? Should changes be made? You tell us,” said Allen Martin, regional freshwater fisheries biologist for the FWC.

During the open houses, anglers can meet the biologists, talk about fishing and tell them what they think.

 “Anglers are welcome to come into the open houses at any point. There’s no set schedule. You can come in for 10 minutes or stay for an hour,” Martin said. “The open house format is casual and for angler input about bass regulations only. We want people to let us know what they think.”

The open houses are from 5 to 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Here are the locations and dates:

Feb. 28 – Lake Placid
H.L. Bishop Park
10 Lake June Clubhouse Road

*March 1-3 – Tampa
Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 N U.S. Highway 301
*This will be done at the FWC booth during the fair. FWC staff will be available all hours of the show.

March 11 – Okeechobee
C. Scott Driver Park
3950 SW 99^th Drive

March 12 – Dania Beach
Bass Pro Shops
200 Gulf Stream Way

March 18 (4-7 p.m.) – Gainesville
Gary’s Tackle Box
5721 NW 13^th St.

March 19 – Ocala
Gander Mountain
3970 SW 3^rd St.

March 22 – Lake Mary
Gander Mountain
3750 Flagg Lane

April 1 – Jacksonville
Gander Mountain
13075 City Square Drive

April 2 – St. Augustine
Gander Mountain
550 Prime Outlets Blvd.

Early April (date TBD) – Tallahassee
Location TBD

Tell Maine That You Oppose Ban on Plastic Baits

Even if you don’t live in Maine, voice your opposition to that state’s proposed bill to ban use of all soft plastic baits. (The bill actually refers to the baits as "rubber worms.")

Here’s what Keep America Fishing says:

“This legislation is now going to a working session of the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“In order to show just how many anglers across the country are concerned by this bill, we ask that you sign our petition in a show of solidarity. This petition will be presented to the Committee so that they can see that banning soft baits not only affects their own residents and anglers but also anglers nationwide.

“By signing the petition, you are telling the Committee that you ‘do not approve of unfounded bans on soft baits. Arbitrarily banning widely used tackle such as this would have a tremendous impact on everyone from individual anglers to tackle manufacturers to state wildlife management agencies that protect our resources. Further study must be conducted and decisions must be based on sound science.’”

Go here to sign the petition.