Comment from Dave Jones

The Federal Government gives 500 million dollars to a relief plan to train unemployed people to get another job? It amazes me how this country comes up with what they think are advantageous ideas to help the economy but wasting millions of dollars in the process. Decisions like this are the reason our country is in the shape it’s in now. Yea, let’s make it difficult for anyone to make a living here and import everything from overseas. That would make it all better, right? Wrong!! The Farmers are getting relief plans like funds for rain and flooded fields. They get paid not to plant or to plant. What is the government doing about the Fishermen? I watch and see how the commercial fishermen are being treated and downsized not to mention belittled and disrespected. The commercial fishermen have been making an honest living for century’s and providing fresh fish to our country so where is the relief plan for the them? These so called Marine Biologist, with the help of the government, are shutting down and taking away our only way to make a living. Our entire income has been jeopardized and no one seems to care or offer any help. Some of our fishermen are talking about going to other countries to fish because that would be the only place they could make a living. Our fishermen should not be subjected to a decision of this caliber. They would have to leave their families or even uproot their families from a place where they have known all their lives. From the looks of it, this isn’t something the “Marine Biologist” or the government really cares about. They are pushing the fishermen into extinction. How ironic is that? Shutting down every fishery at one time is not the answer. How about closing certain areas in each state and establishing “no take zones” and nurseries for the fish. How about a little give and take. Each state should have a respected quota of the species instead of sharing a quota and then shutting a species down because Florida, Georgia or South Carolina has already filled it. Now that doesn’t seem fair does it?? I would like to see a solid fishery in our country instead of trying to push out the commercial fishermen and excepting the imports from other countries. This concept needs to be rethought. By putting appropriate limits in place such as the “no take zones” the fish will stay out of danger of being over fished, if the fish are truly in danger of this. The fishermen can never over fish the fishery on hook and line if there is thought out laws and protected zones. It seems regulations are put into place to accommodate those in control no matter whom it affects or how detrimental it is to the livelihood of the fishermen. The commercial fishermen are looking for answers, relief, and a common sense way of regulating the fishery for everyone’s benefit. Is that really too much to ask? David Jones Jennifer Shook