Posted by John M. on February 21, 2004 at 10:42:17:
In Reply to: Re: "most fishermen are conservationists" posted by Sonke on February 21, 2004 at 10:10:00:
"How much money are you as a non-anlger putting toward marine resource conservation?"
All due respect, Sonke, but that's just a really wrong-headed way to think about it.
Our natural environment, both terrestrial and marine, belongs to each and every one of us ... and perhaps more importantly to our children. Those kinds of things are generally supported by each and every one of us through our government, to which all of us give plenty.
It's things which take away from those common resources which tend to and ought to be paid for by those who are benefitting by the taking.
If we who enjoy the marine environment more than most are willing to contribute towards its conservation, that's driven by desperation not by duty.
Conservation is paid by all; extraction is paid by those who benefit. That's just the way it works.