Posted by grousseau on May 26, 2005 at 10:57:34:
In Reply to: Re: Hypocrisy posted by Bch Divr on May 25, 2005 at 17:43:50:
His response was addressed to several divers who have reacted negatively toward a minority of idiots who have broken the law. There were postings calling for the banning of spearfishing after Captain Tim's post and the posts on the BSB poachers. In previous posts tried to point out that responsible sportsman do far more for habitat restoration, research, and hatchery programs than your average recreational diver does. Fishing/hunting license fees are a main source of revenue for the DFG. Groups like United anglers have supported white seabass growout programs and legislation banning bottom trawling. Non-hunting divers have to share the waters with those of us who chose to responsibly spearfish. I think a more productive effort would be to create more underwater parks and wrecks to reefs. We could keep these areas off limits to hunting. Calling for a statewide ban on spearfishing or restrictions against scuba use for spearfishing are excessive.