This is ridiculous.

[Zach Matthews]

Ok, guys, I am not the foam-at-the-mouth type, and I generally don’t allow politics on this board, but when it deals directly with something as central to our sport as catch-and-release, I think we should address it.

Switzerland has a new law banning C&R and requiring anglers to take a “safe handling” course on catching fish.

[Mike L.]

The license test is very similar to the license test required to fish in Germany.

[John Bennett]

Just going to paste my reply from another forum.

Don’t agree with it but there is some fuzzy logic to it.

Simply put.
*IF* Ontario were to do the same wouldnt that reduce how often you go fishing?
I’m pretty sure it would for me if I had to keep everything I caught.

Not to mention the frustration of…
You drive an hour, fish for an hour and next thing you know you’ve limited out.
Would you fish every weekend every other? No doubt some would, they do now.

But in the grand scheme there is some fuzzy logic that *overall* it would reduce the pressure both to the fish and the enviroment.

Would kill the economic aspects though. Alot of area’s rely on tourist dollars the fishing industry generate
***********

What I find really funny and ironic about it is this.
Isnt the EU and Switzerland one of the countries trying to ban Seal products because they dont like hunters clubbing baby seals to death? Further what gets my goat is that in my experience, the sanctimonious types when it comes to hunting/angling ethics are rarely the ones breaking a sweat doing conservation work. They forget, that many of the saved wetlands, park trails alongside streams they enjoy are laregly a result of hunters/anglers. I know more than few who are quick to tell others how to live but when it comes time break a sweat and lift a shovel they are rarely found, or they gripe about possibly having to pay a little extra for “photo” liscences to help directly fund parks/preserves rather than govt coffers.

Hopefully this kind of nonsense stays over on the other side of the pond. I really dont have much stomach for it or them.

[Rusty Garoutte]

To bad they didn’t feel this way during WWII.

[jeff s]

I don’t mind the idea of taking a test to get a license (I thik it’s a stupid idea, but hey, if that is what it comes to, then so be it).
I don’t mind barbless hooks.

[dusty montgomery]

Does anyone have any info regarding the recreational ban on the west coast? Any links, mag. articles, etc.?

[Mark Landerman]

It doesn’t really bother me…..I don’t catch shit anyway.

[spencer ballard]

I would be accidently dropping the fish as I took the hook out often if this were the law here.

[anonymous]

Does anyone have any info regarding the recreational ban on the west coast? Any links, mag. articles, etc.?

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080505_salmon.html
Oop, wrong link. This one
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080501_fisheryfailure.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/02/salmon.ap/

[anonymous]

It doesn’t really bother me…..I don’t catch shit anyway.

Just wait until you have to have to get a license to take a crap.

[Zach Matthews]

Here’s some info on the ban, although I wasn’t able to figure out if the headline might not be a little overbroad, since it doesn’t mention Washington (or obviously Alaska):

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/02/BABT10F7PE.DTL

Zach

[dusty montgomery]

Thanks guys for the links. This is disheartening, but to be honest, I for one am glad they have gone to such measures. Let’s just hope our decision makers do not take a page from European fishery management.

[dusty montgomery]

Clarification:

I for one am glad they have gone to such measures.

I was referring to the Western United States! Sorry, it is early, and the Mt. Dew and Copenhagen have not kicked in yet 😉

[Bob Riggins]

I hate to further hijack the thread, but we are talking about two totally different situations.

[Zach Matthews]

I could not agree with Bob more.

Plus, NOAA studies have shown that setting aside Marine Reserves ends up creating a nursery environment where fish can go to replenish their numbers in surrounding waters.

[Brett Hoskins]

Bob

We have fought for years to ban commercial fishing along the Texas coast for certain types of fish.

[brian dunigan]

I have sympathy for commercial fishermen only on one issue:

[Brett Hoskins]

bd

I really think you are off base giving sympathy to commercial fisherman and shrimpers, along the Gulf Coast at least.

[Author]

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