“Clearly Senator James Mathias believes that the Department of Natural Resources can act in any way they want, without accountability, questioning, or critique, especially without regard for the fisherman of the Eastern Shore. I was elected to represent the needs of the 38th District and stand as a guardian for those whose voices are being drowned out” replied Delegate Mike McDermott when asked about the exchange between himself and Senator Mathias at the Eastern Shore Delegation meeting this morning. Based on their conversation during the meeting, Senator Mathias seemed to imply that it in a contest between the two, agency perogatives win over constituent needs.
“Nowhere would an employee of a company be docked 5% of their pay on the presumption that they will steal that same 5% from their employer. It is an absurd premise. I believe that once a quota for the fisherman is established, it should be kept -- I don’t believe that it should be changed midstream, especially after the fisherman have already established their budgets for the year. I would demand an explanation I lost 5% of my budgeted income, as is the case for many fisherman” responded Delegate McDermott. During the meeting, Delegate McDermott asked Secretary John Griffin about the decision to reduce the 2012 Commercial Striped Bass Quota by 5%. Depriving our hard working Waterman of their full catch quota could collectively cost them $300,000.00 at a time in our economy when few can afford loss.
“Fishing quotas are important because they protect Maryland’s ecosystems which many citizens heavily rely on. However, at some point there must be a balance between the economy of the bay area and the waterman that live there” replied. Delegate McDermott. Delegates of the Eastern Shore joined Delegate McDermott in his letter requesting that the 5% quota be restored; Senator Mathias chose not to endorse that letter. “I do not believe that it is improper to simply ask state agencies to explain policies that may seem arbitrary in how they affect people’s lives” concluded Delegate McDermott.
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Just another example of "bureaucratic belligerance". Why do they do it???...Because they can.
ReplyDeleteFisheries are a finite resource. Without government quotas and regulation, there wouldn't be a single crab, oyster or rockfish left in our bay. Not an observation towards fisherman, but one of human nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the brilliant insight @ 3:24, the problem is not that there is a quota the problem is the quota is being changed mid year and this will in turn hurt EVERY FISHERY on the eastern shore. I do not know about you but if I were running a business and someone decided in the middle of the year to tell me I am being docked 5% pay I would be irate.
ReplyDeleteThat's a bunch of crap people ,
ReplyDeletemost companies , large and small, budget for theft.
The percentage of loss goes into the selling price of everything.
The watermen that steal or poach are causing the problem for the others.
Having said that , 5% is justified in my opinion. Just like any other company. Hell, most watermen don't report some of their earnings anyway. Just like the tear jerking farmers. Been there , done that!
My goodness people , supply and demand will allow the watermen to to make up the difference. Less fish ,higher price etc.
ReplyDeleteWatermen are a thing of the past anyway. We can buy fish and all other species from China much cheaper. Aquaculture is here to stay , shrimp , oysters , fish and anyting that will grow.
ReplyDeleteThese idiots can't steal from these ponds! Go back to school and learn how to work for the BOE , they make money for doing nothing.
6:24, you can have all the farmed fish you want, most of that crap is disgusting between the fish swimming in their own wastes and the terrible feed they use. I'll pay good money for local seafood that's harvested sustainably.
ReplyDeletethe commercial fishing industry has repeatedly taken advantage of resources that belong to all of us. Let them continue in their ways unabated and our children will never have the chance to enjoy the things we have taken for granted. the oyster population is 1% of what it used to be, crabs were in great trouble until the recent regulations the companies raping the bay of menhaden are impacting the fishery. And we haven't even begun to discuss the amount of bycatch that is discarded I am tired of watching and reading about commercial fisherman who violate the law with little to know punishment. They ought to be jailed and made to forfiet every piece of gear they would employ in their endeavors.
ReplyDeleteThe real victims are the recreational anglers who have to buy a license every year to be able to catch one fish.
ReplyDelete