Quote:
Originally Posted by jlincecum
maybe we are going about this wrong. might have to look for other ways to solve the problem. gonna be hard to change the "experts" minds when they think they are doing the right thing. why not start a group that looks after oyster populations in our area, with a big emphasis on re-seeding. it would be in the best interests of the oyster fisherman to back this group since it effects their livelihood. if they dont, we just seed the hell out of areas the cant fish.
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If they tong oysters, everything would be just like before the dredges.
There are too many lazy Oyster fishermen who will not tong. It is too much work.
It makes no difference if they catch 15 sacks with tongs or with dredges.
The issue is how many boats they have with dredges. The number of Oyster fishermen doubled, the number of boats tripled. Too many are fishing multiple boats.
They will reseed themselves, if you don't over catch. The issue is reseeding from another area. This might bring in non native clams and other things from somewhere else.
There are places in Big Lake that are off limits to Oyster fishermen. They are called cultches. These are for reseeding if something catastrophic happens.
But you cannot wipe out half the oysters in the lake and hope they will reseed themselves at that rate. It will take at least 3 to 5 years to repair the damage after they are wiped out.
There are some Oyster fishermen who are concerned, and there are some that don't care. They want to make as much money right now and cry for help from the Feds cause their livelihood was wiped out. Then want to sue anyone they can blame.
The ones who tonged before dredges should be able to still catch their limit with dredges, the rest should not be able to get a license.
State made it too easy to over catch.