HELP: Catalina's Casino Pt. Dive Park and Charter Fishing Boats

[normantr]

I read the post and completely understood that it was about the Freelance specifically, but knowing some of the people on the board there were certain phrases that they read and interpreted as generalizations;

"stop the intrusion of charter fishing boats from the mainland"

"These are the same people who say marine reserves don't work."

and this is what I feel garnered the initial negative responses. These two lines from your letter, when taken out of context, can sound as though you are referring to all fisherman, but if the article is read as a whole it is very clear only one (or 3) boat is being addressed. Hopefully everyone who posted on this board will take the time to read all of the post on the other board and not just the first page.

One thing I have learned is that people will read what they want in a message and it is not always the same as the next person. We all focus on different details, and sometimes they are the wrong one.

Tim

 

[Hollywoodivers]

I love this thread. Any diver who can get his point across to a hardcore fisherman I would like to hire as my attorney, doctor, financial advisor. For surely he is smarter than I.
I will go out on a limb and say "no not all fisherman are bad" but I haven't met many who have read books about the depletion of fishing stocks and or studies on Marine Reserves. Some are bad Some guys are good. Yes some fisherman do care.
But the real argument here is.... "Casino Point is an area populated by fish because divers protect it". Divers can go there and see fish in great abundance because of this Protection. We must continue to protect it so that the fish will remain there.
Fisherman, Go ahead and set up a designated fishing area somewhere else as is most of Catalina "a fishing area". But fisherman just stay away from the areas that we divers want to protect.
Another example and I'll shut up. Cocos Island Costa rica is a protected area that brings Thousands of Dollars into the Costa Rican economy. The Costa Rican Government realizes it has one of the best "reserves" in the world They protect it from fisherman with Armed (shotguns) Park Rangers. The divers protect it with Cameras and Video Cameras. The fisherman ? Would they fish there if they weren't forced to stay out ? YOU BET THEY WOULD ! Are they good people ? I am sure they are but that doesn't mean they wouldn't take every last fish from that reserve if they weren't driven from that area on a daily basis......You know and I know it.
Divers keep doing what you do...Somebody has to do it. Peace to Fisherman but stay out of the areas that divers call reserves or there will be no fish left. Believe it.

 

[normantr]

"The fisherman ? Would they fish there if they weren't forced to stay out ? YOU BET THEY WOULD ! Are they good people ? I am sure they are but that doesn't mean they wouldn't take every last fish from that reserve if they weren't driven from that area on a daily basis......You know and I know it."

Once again a vast generalization. I agree that areas designated as dive parks or reserves/preserves should be respected. But what bothers me is your vast generalization that all fisherman care nothing about the environment and the health of the fishery and will do anything they can to catch a fish.

You may not be aware but sportfisherman are also some of the watch dogs of the sea. As example, the Islas Revillagigedos chain off the coast of Mexico was fished for many years by the Long Range sportfishing fleet out of San Diego. It was these Long Range boats that kept the commercial fishing boats honest. Once the Mexican Government turned these islands into a reserve it meant the Long Range boats could no longer fish there, which meant there would be no one to report illegal activity by the commercial fishing boats. The result has been an immense increase in illegal commercial fishing pressure. Since there are no longer sport boats there to report the illegal commercial fishing they are allowed to more or less do as they please. There is only one small navy outpost on one of the islands, and that is not enough to patrol the entire chain effectively.

You also make it sould like all divers have tremendous respect for the environment. How do you explain the situation with the abalone population. If I am correct, these are taken by divers (commercial fisherman, but divers none the less) or as Dr Bill stated lobster poaching is also a problem. And just this past lobster season I read a report of divers poaching from lobster pots off Orange County.

We all know that both sports have their bad eggs, and when you are dealing with people who make a living in either sport sometimes they do things they should not to satisfy their customers.

Also, do not lump sportfisherman in with commercial fisherman as there is a big difference in the attitude and outlook on the fishery.

Tim

 

[drbill]

... You also make it sould like all divers have tremendous respect for the environment. How do you explain the situation with the abalone population. If I am correct, these are taken by divers (commercial fisherman, but divers none the less) or as Dr Bill stated lobster poaching is also a problem. And just this past lobster season I read a report of divers poaching from lobster pots off Orange County.

We all know that both sports have their bad eggs, and when you are dealing with people who make a living in either sport sometimes they do things they should not to satisfy their customers.

Also, do not lump sportfisherman in with commercial fisherman as there is a big difference in the attitude and outlook on the fishery.

Tim

Tim raises some very valid points and does so in a very reasoned and reasonable manner.

I know a [relatively small] number of divers who poach. It is a practice that bothers me as much as fishermen who fish in reserves or violate CDF&G rules. And I know fishers who have spent literally millions trying to protect the species, including the ones they fish for themselves.

My biggest complaint initially with the Freelance was that it seemed to arrogantly and repeatedly violate the rules. I'm hoping the recent comments by the vessel's captain means I was wrong and things will be good in the future. I prefer to see the good in people, although I'm realistic enough to know and recognize the potential for bad.

When we point fingers at others, we need to look deeply into ourselves to make sure we are not being unjustifiably self righteous. Personally, I stopped taking most marine species back in 1975 including lobster and abalone. I would (and will) still eat animals taken legally today by others, I just don't hunt myself anymore. One of my favorite dive buddies hunts bugs, and she shares them with me. I'm glad she does (sigh, if only I could get her to share a few other things...).

Dr. Bill

 

[normantr]

Tim raises some very valid points and does so in a very reasoned and reasonable manner.



Dr. Bill

Thank you..... :blush: