Quote:
Originally Posted by DONIGAN
Kayak Friends-
Do you mind if I make some observations? I posted a thread last week regarding the launch and how lifeguards are asking us to put a fish down or in bags before heading to the launch, then I read some of the posts on this thread and wonder the following: Do you really think that lifeguards, scientists etc are not aware of the Hammerhead population in our local waters? Of course they know and are being interviewed/quoted saying that warm waters as being the reason, not 1 mention of kayak fisherman. Once again, the DIRECT and SPECIFIC concern and told to be in person by the person that can shut the launch down is regarding our personal safety and those on the beach by dragging bleeding fish in our yak, that is it. A quote from the Sgt lifeguard in the article says "Sharks live in the oceans. The ocean is a wild environment and even here in San Diego the sharks are ever present." Does that sound like a person looking to close the beach or is unaware of sharks in our fishing zone? As I mentioned in my other post the lifeguards are watching us from the tower when we come in, making sure we are not trailing hammers for everyone's safety. There is a lot of hype and excitement with hammerheads (and should because they are awesome and rare for us!) and probably equal hype in this radical idea of shutting the the launch down because of reports and coverage of sharks well off the beach. Did everyone read about the kayak fisherman in Malibu who was targeting sharks and hooked a hammerhead that chomped his foot? Was that beach or launch shut down? Doesn't that area have way more MLPA influence? Was fishing suspended at all? Seems like a perfect opportunity to do so... I have read some posts and comments on this site/thread that I see as unnecessary fear regarding our LJ Launch. Are the hammerheads going to be around when cold water comes in 3 weeks? We are all together on how much we love our fishing adventures but I am not going to live in fear of environmentalist's and anti's... Video them, share your experiences and enjoy them until the next El Nino!
Out
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I understand your observations, but I do believe you are naive about how powerful and effective the Anti's are at doing their job.
How hard of a sell would it be for the Anti's to poison the public using the local media to go against Kayak Fisherman, with this type of rhetoric and playing the video we just saw ? For Example.......
---The Increased shark sightings in La Jolla are a direct result of irresponsible Kayak Fisherman cleaning their fish irresponsibly.
---Kayak Fisherman are now drawing Hammerhead sharks into the LJ Kiddie Pool where legally protected seals now live.
---Additionally, Kayak Fisherman are increasing risk of shark attack to swimmers, small children and sensitive marine life in the Protected areas of LJ Shores. We need to close the LJ Launch immediately.
The Anti's get public emotion and funding on their side and virtually own the courts and judges. Here's just a sample of their success in hunting;
1. California Lead Hunting - Banned. The Anti's started banning lead via the courts in the California Condor Range 20 yrs ago, stating the Condors were dying of lead poisoning, without One documented case, all based on emotions. All the while they promised they were not going after hunting. Now, the new CA Lead Ban will be statewide by 2019. They Lied, hunters lost. CA Fisherman are next on the Anti's Lead Ban agenda.
2. CA Mountain Lion Hunting - Banned. Can't do it in CA for over 20+ years.
3. CA Bear Hunting with Dogs - Banned. Can't do it in CA.
4. CA Bobcat Trapping - Banned. Law just passed.
You may agree/disagree with hunting or with the above hunting methods, but the point is, the Anti's will use any argument to accomplish their goals. They have proven they hate hunting and fishing and are successful at chipping away at the laws which protect our sports.
Best to Not give the Anti's an inch or they will take a mile+.
....my .02 cents