Skip to main content

AJ's for Atlanta, Not for You

AJ's for Atlanta, Not for You
AJ's for Atlanta, Not for You

Once again we step into a bizarre scenario where the guy in the next boat may catch a fish to sell it, but you can't catch that same fish for the family.

Profit fishing, yes. Personal-use fishing, no.

Not so many years ago, I would have said such a situation would be unthinkable. No longer.

Just days ago came another example of the warped world of saltwater allocation, where it's considered sacred to allow commercial exploitation of wild swimming animals.

In this new case, recreational fishing for amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico was closed tight, even as large commercial takes continue.

The National Marine Fisheries Service ordered the family-level fishing for AJ's halted because its estimated quota was reached, while a commercial quota was not at that point.

Now you may buy the old argument that these fish must be served to the public, even to the extent of closing out personal fishing.

We think that's nonsense.

Far better management, as we've fostered for four decades, is to share a catch equally among all citizens, year-around. Then, and only then, would a commercial market based on large-scale catches be allowed.

Instead, our well-lobbied federal managers remain determined to treat “user groups,” not individuals, equally.

Never mind that socio-economic studies prove that non-commercial fishing provides more jobs, economic benefits and life quality factors than does selling the slabs of meat.

The commercial bias is embedded in the federal management structure, once aptly called the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.

And now, “traditional” uses, whether the best use or not, get high priority.

These market forces once controlled the inland waters and woods in the same unfortunate way. But people were able shake free of the profit exploitation. They saw the relentless depletion of deer, bass and ducks, at close range. They outlawed it.

Not that it was a simple matter then, either. The commercial takers had fought back hard, sometimes violently. But good sense prevailed. Price tags were taken off all the major species, and thus they flourish.

It didn't take strange “catch shares” programs or ill-conceived no-fishing zones.

All that was needed was to dedicate wild animals for use in sustainable quantities by every citizen, equally.

Let's do the same on the marine scene.

--Florida Sportsman




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Gear

Sea Trials: Bait Stop

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Gear

Sea Trials: Edge Quest

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Gear

Sea Trials: Reef Roundup

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Crescent Kayak's Fly-Weight Rigs & Ultra-Affordable Primo!

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Newport NK180PRO: Empower YOUR Fishing Utility!

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Native Titan X Rigged with Newport NK300 really MOVES

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Hyper-Versatile K-Craft Paddle & Powerskiff!

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Cover Up With Sun-Protective Clothing

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Inflation We Can Live With! Mustang Convertible PFD

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

Converting and Re-Arming Mustang Inflatable A/M PFD

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

YakAttack Rod Management Systems Set the Bar for Kayak Anglers

As kayaks have evolved and anglers have added tremendous amounts of tackle and accessories, the weight factor must be co...
Videos

YakAttack Kayak Carts Will Get You There

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Florida Sportsman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use