THE ANGRY FISHERMAN

THE ANGRY FISHERMAN and its supporters are in total support of H918, the
Coastal Game Fish Act Bill which is currently in the NC House of Representatives
for consideration. This bill will give “Game Fish” protection to the Spotted Sea
Trout and the Red Drum, and is long overdue here in North Carolina! We also
support the Primary Sponsors of this bill, Representative Carolyn Justice, Pender
and New Hanover Counties, and Representative Paul Luebke, Durham County.
Recent attacks on the character of Rep. Justice by Sean McKeon, paid lobbyist and
spokesman for the commercial fishing industry and the NCFA, are slanderous and
should be retracted immediately! Only 11,063 pounds of Speckled Trout were
reported sold in New Hanover and Pender Counties combined in 2008, clearly
pointing out the scathing, false statement from McKeon that “She’s a coastal
rep acting to destroy many of her own constituents’ livelihoods”.
Quite the contrary, she is representing her constituents with the greatest of
courage in her efforts to guarantee the future of these two fish for the
greater good of New Hanover County and Pender County residents. The
economic impacts of these 2 fish as “Sport Fish” to the coastal communities
outweigh the values they bring to a fish market by millions of dollars!
NOAA studies recently released showed that the NC saltwater recreational
angler spent $2.5 Billion with NC businesses in 2006, generated over $780
Million in salaries and wages to NC workers, and helped support over 23,700
jobs here in NC. Our question to Mr. McKeon is this, how much money did
the commercial fishing industry put into the NC economy in 2006? How
much salaries and wages were created by the commercial fishing industry in
2006, and how many jobs did the industry you are paid to represent provide
for NC workers?
Mr. McKeon is paid to say what he says. Who knows what he really believes?
His efforts are well funded by the NCFA. His income is paid directly from the
total sales of seafood by the members of the NCFA. The more they harvest
and sell, the more he makes! When all the fish are gone, Mr. McKeon will
have to find another industry to spew his lies for!
We believe it is “high time” that someone stood up to the commercially
stacked Marine Fisheries Commission and a select few politicians that feed at
the commercial fishing trough. The Angry Fisherman is 20,000 active and
supportive members. There are NO paid officials nor are any members
doing this for any reason other than to ensure that future generations will
have the opportunity to enjoy this incredible resource. If change does not
happen, then this State faces the extinction of numerous animals and fish
simply for the benefit of a few.
The Angry Fisherman
John M. Hislop

THE ANGRY FISHERMAN

Press Release, April 13, 2009