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Monday, December 12, 2016

OC Council: no marine sanctuary

Hoping to help block the National Aquarium’s petition to make the Baltimore Canyon a marine sanctuary, the Ocean City mayor and council agreed Monday to send a letter to state officials declaring their steadfast opposition.

The council’s action followed an appeal by attorney Mark Cropper to join the local sportsfishing industry in opposing the designation sought by the aquarium officials in Baltimore.

“In any method that we can convince the National Aquarium in Baltimore not to file the petition due to the concerns of Ocean City and the fishing community, that’s the best of all worlds,” said Cropper, who represents the Sunset Marina, Ocean City Fishing Center Marina, the White Marlin Club and several recreational anglers and boat captains.

In October, the National Aquarium started a campaign to establish the 28-mile long underwater canyon as its first Urban National Marine Sanctuary. The designation would help protect the rare deep-sea coral and ecosystem in the Baltimore Canyon by restricting offshore exploration for minerals, oil and gas.

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13 comments:

Anonymous said...

But, if there are no restrictions, the Polar Bear could be at risk. Oh, and it's for the children too.

Anonymous said...

Some of us are in support of the sanctuary.

Anonymous said...

"Some of us are in support of the sanctuary."

Still finding Nemo, eh?

You didn't take the time to say WHY?

Anonymous said...

More restrictions, more laws, more cops, more fines, that's just what this state needs. White Marlin open in outer Banks. Yes I'd leave this state in a second

Anonymous said...

It's like a National Park except no one can use it or see it.

Great idea! Sounds like fun!

Anonymous said...

5:38 - I think Ocean City needs to have more public restrooms on their boardwalk.

Anonymous said...

Who's going to stop the foreign ships from said sanctuary?

Anonymous said...

5:52 You failed to state why it is a bad idea. I'll gladly point out one of the reasons I support it. The fishing tournaments. Did you miss the mutilated blue marlin that was in two pieces after being dragged behind a boat to the scales. Rich people get to go out and kill the very fish that the rest of the sport fisherman catch and release. If the sanctuary puts an end to the tournaments it is fine by me. More fish for the rest of us to enjoy catching. The are sanctuary areas all over the FL Keys and people still get to fish there and do so responsibly.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like the people who want this sanctuary don't have all the details yet, how can anyone agree to this without knowing what, exactly, what the restrictions would be!? NO DEAL!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
But, if there are no restrictions, the Polar Bear could be at risk. Oh, and it's for the children too.

December 12, 2016 at 5:23 PM

HaHaHa! So True!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Some of us are in support of the sanctuary.

December 12, 2016 at 5:38 PM

Aw... Is that you Kathy Phillips!!

Anonymous said...

I bet all the snarky comments are coming from minimum wage workers that depend jobs related to fishing tourism.

Anonymous said...

This is about control and BIGGER government, just about what we voted against.