Rec v. Commercial Fisheries
 

Since I've started going to these LWF Comission meetings, I've noticed that there's a lot of tension between the commercial interests and the rec fishermen.

What happened to cause this? (Maybe something before my time?)

Just from my observations, it seems like if the commercial guys can't fish then they don't want anyone else to fish either.

I understand that these guys have to make a living. But, when it's the FDA is keeping them from fishing, why does it seem that the same guys come to every meeting and try to shut down the rec fisherman? I'm sure if the Comission had the power to open up commercial, they would immediately.

Does anyone else, who's been attending these meetings, see the same thing as me, or am I totally off base? :help:

they are worried someone will illegally sell LA seafood from a closed area and give LA seafood industry a bad name. it goes on alot .....fish markets buying seafood from the rec. angler. i feel bad for those comercial guys but on ther other hand if we (rec. anglers) could not fish and they could more power to em ,

ALOT of them are working for BP and if they open the waters to fishing then the guides have to make a choice .Work for BP or hope they can book up.
BP money is for sure and they don't want to take a chance on losing customers by not fishing. I know if i am ready to book a trip and the guide i want is working for BP
i will find another guide.
I also will not recomend or book a guide that is fighting against the opening of recreational fishing or one that fishes private waters behind the gates.

but federal waters are still closed right?

yes

Chas????

Wait.....I thought everything.g is open?????

Meaux??? Where ya at?

Easy math. Would you rather make $3200.00 a day sitting idle at the dock 3 out a 5 day work week or take your chances shrimping if it opens. All about the money.

Everything out to the 3 mile limit is open. Federal waters still closed. Don't push the limit.After being forced to open i'm sure there will be some folks w/ ticket books w/ a chip on their shoulder.

It seems like to me their beef is with the feds, not the state. The state's position was "hey we tested and the seafood is fine" but you will not be allowed to SELL you catch be cause the feds have not been satisfied.
and it seemed to be the agenda of the restaurant guys that wanted it shut all the way down too, claiming that recreational guys would sell their catch, well then THEY need to police their peers to not BUY the catch.

There was opposition to the recreational guys, but it all came from the weak "reasoning" in my opinion

Commercial gets all the good Snapper days.
State and Feds. proved there is still oil on the bottom offshore.
They pulled up nets with oil and shrimp. FDA won't let them sell
the shrimp they catch, why go shrimp if you can't sell them?