Fishin Fool - 8/13/2007 10:05 PM
Sorry but I'm not torn at all on this issue. I grew up around a lot of people that were commercial fishermen and from the experiences that I had I have drawn conclusions that may or may not be fair in some people's eyes.
People used to make a living digging for ginseng. Does that mean that we should open national parks to them so they can make a living? People used to trap for animal fur. Does that mean that regulated hunting should be curtailed so they have the ability to trap more game? People used to pan for gold, does that mean we should let them set up a sifter on the creek and go at it? When I was growing up fishermen used to sell crappie and bass on the side of the road, does that mean they should still do it? My dad used to work in a saw mill but most of them have closed due to commercial timber plants. My point is times change. With change comes new jobs, and new ways of making a living. If things in commercial fishing are so horrible that you want to sell contaminated fish to make money or trophy fish to some millionare in Ohio, then you need to change jobs. Commercial fishing on the Tennessee isn't going to last forever without more restriction. That is a fact of life. Most commercial fishermen have about the same amount of money tied up in equipment as a really avid bass fisherman. Changing to a better paying job is not the issue with many of them. They are comfortable with the thing they do and see no reason to make any laws that inhibit it. Sure, the work is sometimes hard but ask yourself this; would you rather be on the lake pulling trot lines or gill nets or stuck on a loading dock in a unifrom all day? They have passed this lifestyle down from generation to generation and frankly for many it is a way to AVOID working a job. Give me a job fishing and pay me for it! I knew 3 commercial fishermen very, very well as I was growing up. Looking back now I realize that they broke the law almost every day, taking bass, crappie and other game fish. They also took WAY over the limit in catfish, to the point where they often had to dump them in the woods behind their houses when they didn't sell. I have no idea if that is still going on to that extent, I hope it isn't. Before anyone tells me how regulated they are now, I suggest you go to a ramp when some of them are unloading and simply watch. Not all violate the law of course and I am sure there a LOT of good people doing commercial fishing and abiding by the laws. But TWRA is stretched wayyyyyyyy to thin to catch crazy jet skiers, let alone some savy commercial guys, a lot of which know exactly where TWRA IS at any given time. Try sitting on one of those ramps and watching and see the reaction you get. I did it about two weeks ago. It's very interesting.
On another point a lot of commercial fishermen will tell you it's about "food". That they are simply supplying a product that they didn't plant, didn't raise, didn't care for, didn't feed and have no money invested in but yet want to harvest to make money out of. Then they will lobby to remove size limits on fish so they can be shipped off to "pay" lakes. What has that got to do with food other than the food it puts on their table? Then they become angry that TWRA tries to protect the fishery. As I said at the beginning, my conclusions may not (and probably aren't) fair, but I can only speak from what I have seen and witnessed over the years. It has really soured my outlook on these folks, good as many of them may be. Abide by what is best for all the people, not just you and your wallet, or get another job.
