A couple of years ago, the Federal Government placed a ban on commercial and recreational fishing off the coast of California to protect the seal population there. Last year there was talk of placing a similar "Marine Protected Area" in the Great Lakes. Now the government is set to eliminate 8 areas off the eastern seaboard on February 12th to protect the red snapper populations there.

www.floridasportsman.com/casts/090116

Not a single one of these areas were closed as a result of thorough scientific data, but rather from individuals who placed blame on over-fishing in general. Commercial fishermen are losing their livelyhoods, and recreational "family" fishermen are being thrown into the mix as a result. There is more talk about stretching the snapper ban into the Gulf of Mexico...which will complete the circle (east, west, north, and south). The only places that these tree-huggers will have left to raise cain about will be inland...and it's coming. They already tried to eliminate us through an attempt to deny lead fishing products in our waterways, but that was shot down by the EPA. Not satisfied with the EPA's findings, the anti-lead community is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the EPA and their decision.

Just wanting the club to be aware of what's going on behind closed doors in Washington D.C., and give you all the opportunity to discuss the truth with others...if the chance ever comes up.

-- Edited by rgunter on Wednesday 26th of January 2011 08:23:45 PM