Ban Gill Netting in the Chesapeake

[Hockleyneck]

Originally Posted by reds

Do you guys ever read anything you sign?

The petition clearly states "All Nets". All nets doesn't mean gill nets, it means what it says.

The economic impact to Maryland in banning all net fishing, would be in the hundreds of million dollars and around 5000 jobs state wide. The catching of rockfish commercially, for Virginia and Maryland amounts to $93,000,000.

How do you figure 5000 jobs? You must mean part time jobs, these guys do other things besides run nets. if Fish Nuts is correct in the harvest, the $93MM is way over stated as well. Where are you getting your numbers?

[reds]

Originally Posted by Hockleyneck

How do you figure 5000 jobs? You must mean part time jobs, these guys do other things besides run nets. if Fish Nuts is correct in the harvest, the $93MM is way over stated as well. Where are you getting your numbers?

Net fishing in the bay is an industry not a hobby.
The people that catch the fish are not the only ones involved. There is transportation from the boat, wholesale facilities, processing, storage facilities, and then transportation to retail outlets. They all employ people.

Rockfish is not the only species that is caught in nets. The list is as long as your arm.

Net fishing in the bay is a year around business supporting the crab industry, chicken industry, aquaculture, wholesale, retail fish markets and restaurants.

My figures are conservative and a Google search will reveal studies by VIMS and articles by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Fish Nuts' info stopped at the boat. It's easy for him to make his case that way. The whole story is commercial waterman and their families, supporting industry and their families, and the retail industry and their families.