Sad day for Blue Heron Bridge

[Johnoly]

Is it normal for folks fishing the BHB to use a net big enough to snag an adult woman?

Yes, especially from the west side fishing pier cause I've seen plenty. It is not illegal to use a castnet at BHB and many fish attempted by castnetting are regulated. Surprisingly though, it does not say in the written FWC rules that there limit or ban on how many humans you can harvest specifically with a castnet.

 

[sea_ledford]

Not to let the facts get in the way of a good buildup of ire, but...

Statement on Recent Specimen Collection Activities in Florida - Texas A&M Galveston, TX

 

[Wookie]

And the Houston Chronicle spin. Of course, the Texans are like "What's up?"

For those who ask "What's Up?", it's kind of like digging up Lady Bird's bluebonnets on the side of US 290 in Gittings. It isn't illegal, and you might get a permit, but you might get shot, and if you're from Florida, you will get shot.

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-...cused-of-over-collecting-fish-at-13291005.php

 

[The Chairman]

"Not caring" requires understanding the error of your ways.

They're scientists and professionals. How do they not know? It's a function of being lazy and greedy. I bet they were laughing all the way to the bank at how easy it was.

Statement on Recent Specimen Collection Activities in Florida - Texas A&M Galveston, TX

Notice they never used the word "ethical". Not once.

Taking any fish out of that area is unethical. Even one.

 

[lowviz]

I read the Texas side of the story. Once again, there is NO oversight. Yet another case of 'He said, she said'.

Does the FWC have the authority (under their own permit) to impound the truck on site until they verify the take? This will happen again, look at their report. They did nothing wrong.

 

[Wookie]

I read the Texas side of the story. Once again, there is NO oversight. Yet another case of 'He said, she said'.

Does the FWC have the authority (under their own permit) to impound the truck on site until they verify the take? This will happen again, look at their report. They did nothing wrong.

I think the answer is, as the report from Dan Volker suggests, put State protections on Phil Foster park. It has to be done carefully, I personally have nothing against recreational fishing there, only tropical collecting of any kind....

 

[uncfnp]

Not to let the facts get in the way of a good buildup of ire, but...

Statement on Recent Specimen Collection Activities in Florida - Texas A&M Galveston, TX

Actually it pretty much confirms most the posts here with the exception of the lack of Smithsonian involvement. And that has not been verified.

The news article that Wookie posted directly contradicts other postings by Moody Garden and Texas A&M. Apparantly even they are unsure of the exact number of fish collected at BHB and the Texas A&M release does not even mention the invertebrates. And while MG posted the truck was returning to Florida to release the captives the new statement contradicts this. So are they ignorant of the events or misinformed?

And the news article statement is a wonderful example of spin. The reported multiple collections have now been reduced to three, Fort Pierce, BHB and the BHB snorkel trail. Anyone familiar with the site will recognize that as one site. The snorkel trail is a part of the BHB site and together comprise a very small area in the vastness of the oceans.

 

[lowviz]

I think the answer is, as the report from Dan Volker suggests, put State protections on Phil Foster park.

I agree most completely! Doing so doesn't offend anyone's sense of reasonability. That is a tourist site and both tourists and locals go there to see exactly what is being removed. I wonder how the local hotels and restaurants feel about this?

My last post was a 'devil's advocate' view of what will happen if the laws do not change. It will become yet another task for the FWC.

 

[tridacna]

I think the answer is, as the report from Dan Volker suggests...

I missed his quote. Is he back on the board?

 

[Wookie]

I missed his quote. Is he back on the board?

He is not, but I saw a post here or on Facebook that he was meeting with his pet commissioner to bring the issue to the surface. Seems the commissioner is being responsive to him. I'll look around and see if I can find the post.