Commercial vs. recreational fishing
November 30th 2007 02:32
“You’ve got a blog. You know it all!” I don’t know if they were pulling my chain but, when they started confusing commercial fishermen with professional anglers, I had to jump in, even if they were just having some fun at my expense.
There are two main categories of fishing--recreational and commercial. Fishing for pleasure or even competition is considered as recreational fishing or sport. Most of us fall into the hobby class. There are a few who make the sport a profession. Some call this the “cast for cash” circuit. However, they are not to be confused with the guys who go out every morning in trawlers and gather tons of fish for super markets and fast (semi-fast?) food joints. A commercial fisherman, hard as he may work, may go DAYS without actually touching a fish, although he sees and catches them every day. A professional, on the other hand, gets up close and personal with every fish he (or she) catches and considers it a good day when the total weight of the catch exceeds 10 pounds.
The International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) makes guidelines for fishing. You may not have heard a lot about the IFGA unless you fish for the large seagoing trophy fish such as marlin or sail fish.
The other type of fishing, commercial fishing, sees fisherman bring in huge quantities of food to many countries around the world. But there are disadvantages and risk to the fisherman's job. They travel far into the sea, even in rough seas, during bad weather conditions.
The fishing industry has certain limitations or restrictions imposed by International Treaties. The restrictions are mainly on individual quotas and fishing efforts which may tend to endanger jobs for the local fisherman.
In the last decade there has been a reduction in commercial fishers from 650 to around 400, yet the rage for recreational fishing is increasing as you read this, and the demand for boats, gear, and electronics is skyrocketing. The issue we face is the recreational sector versus the industry, because both have the same issue at heart - to maintain a population of fish.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
*image from morguefile.com
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by tlcorbin-raginravensview
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle
All of those groups have reason to be concerned about the harvesting and management of the resources. Our oceans are stressed from pollution, our harvesting techniques are so sophisticated that entire species could be decimated within a five year period and as I diver, I love hanging out with fish while under water. Being particularly fond of Tuna and Salmon, I demand that those fish are protected; but what about the herring, smelt and other small fish that make up their diet. What about the micro animals that feed those guys. It's an eco system that is under heavy pressure.
So whose rights come first? For me, the fish's environment comes first, then the fish and finally the fishermen's right to harvest come into play. The commercial value seemingly raises more revenue for the state, but the amount raised by the sportsman is probably higher. They buy more boats, tackle, fishing paraphernalia, snacks, fuel and spend more per pound of fish harvested than any group, so, I think that eventually they'll have first rights to harvest a portion of the sports fish. That's my never to humble opinion. Raven
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Who are you trying to convince???? (kidding!)
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Glad to hear you say that. I'm not really a tree hugger but I've sure sounded like one lately. I HONESTLY think I'm going to write about something else and then I do a little research and everything points back to one inescapable fact--we're screwing up the environment!
Comment by Nathalie Cameron
Hellena Handbasket
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Money,money, money! Maybe they'll all learn when they can't buy a cool breeze or a clean glass of water!
Comment by Nathalie Cameron
Hellena Handbasket