Capt_Dave
Site Admin
Joined: Mar 29, 2004
Posts: 8144
Location: Cape Fear, NC
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:21 am Post subject: North Myrtle Beach News North Myrtle Beach fishermen join |
 |
|
North Myrtle Beach News North Myrtle Beach fishermen join 5,000 at D.C. rally
By Jim Hulen, North Myrtle Beach Online.com
FEBRUARY 26, 2010 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Upset about newly imposed fishing restriction, fisherman from all over the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C. to show support for a bill that seeks to prevent future job-killing closing of fisheries across the South Atlantic.
The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) placed a six-month ban on snapper and grouper fisheries due to alleged over fishing and potential endangerment and they have proposed closing nearly 10,000 additional square miles of the South Atlantic. The council was created under the Magnuson Stevens Act of 2006 and is responsible for managing the area up to 200 miles offshore of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Ron McManus attended the rally that took place on February 24th and had the opportunity to hear S.C. Representative Henry Brown.
SC Congressman Henry Brown, photo courtsey of Brown web siteAt the meeting, Congressman Brown said, “The current fishing bans not only threaten the jobs of recreational and commercial fishermen, but also harm small business owners, restaurants, hotels, local shops and tourist attractions that rely on the recreational fishing industry in coastal communities,†said Brown. “These bans were put in place without considering the economic impact, and they were implemented based on out-of-date and scientifically-suspect research that has been questioned by the fishermen who are most familiar with the waters. South Carolina already suffers from one of the top five unemployment rates in the nation and we can’t afford further job losses from reckless fishing bans.â€
McManus said, “Henry Brown is the author of the bill designed to force regulators to take into consideration the economic impact of fishing restriction.â€
The bill instructs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to report the economic impact of the recent fishery closures and review options other than closures to maintain the fishery. Additionally, the bill states that NOAA may not implement further fishery closures that would have a direct or indirect affect of at least $50,000 on at least 25 small businesses related to the fishing industry, unless sufficient, updated research proves that a closure is the only option available to maintain the fishery.
“There were twelve bus loads of people from South Carolina. While I was glad to hear Representative Brown, I was disappointed that Congressmen James Clyburn and Gresham Barrett and Senators Jim Demit and Lindsey Graham were absent. This is an economic issue in which they should really be involved and supporting Brown.â€
“I was impressed with the diversity of attendees. Some came from as far away as Alaska and California and up and down the east coast,†added McManus.
McManus was representing the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Jim Caudle foundation that raises money to expand the Little River in-shore artificial reef.
Numerous people within the North Myrtle Beach community that have either recreational or commercial interest in the fishing industry joined McManus.
Chris Carbone, President of the Seacoast Anglers Association, and many of the association’s members were present at the rally.
Carbone said, “It was amazing to see all those recreational, commercial and charter boat captains standing side by side for the same cause.The RFA organized the whole thing in response to various government agencies closing the fisheries off our coast and therefore effectively putting many fishermen and related businesses hanging on for dear life or out of business all together!â€
Carbone praised the Ocean Isle Fishing Center for organizing the effort locally.
“They chartered a bus and 55 men & women from our club, the Little River Waterfront, the Calabash waterfront and Ocean Isle marched in the rally along with thousands of others,†said Carbone.
_________________
Capt. Dave
Continental Shelf
Morehead City, NC
800-775-7450
Life is SHORT....Fish Hard!
 |
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
