Posted by Brad on March 25, 2004 at 17:55:35:
In Reply to: Re: Freedom to Overfish posted by RogerC on March 25, 2004 at 07:52:09:
Florida MPA's are better accepted than the recent Channel Island MPA's because they have been in existance for longer than most fishermen. The area around Cape Canaveral has been restricted for many years and the guides will confirm that most of the recent record fish have come from the boundarys of that reserve. (not that killing the genetically superior individuals is the right thing to do!)
The rec community here in Southern California not only opposed the reserves, they declared 'war' against them. i think that was a huge miscalculation in terms of PR as well as forming beneficial alliances with groups that would otherwise help to restore the fishery.
i have to say that i am deeply gratified by the risk that such a publication would take to promote the MPA's. It is a refreshing example of gut honesty from a publication that has been a standard barer for the last several generations of sportfishermen.
Bravo F&S!