IN a similar scenario to that experienced recently by Australian fishos, Americans are currently lobbying US President Barack Obama to prevent anti-fishing precedents being set.
According to US-based rec boating industry representative body, Boating United, the US President is proposing to expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in the south-central Pacific Ocean, which would effectively make it the world’s largest marine park.
The proposal potentially threatens to stop rec fishing and boating throughout the area’s vast 700,000 square miles, a situation which mirrors Australia’s previous federal Labor Government’s push to stop fishing in the Coral Sea. This unpopular proposal was successfully fought by Keep Australia Fishing’s “Don’t Lock Us Out” campaign.
According to Boating United’s online campaign anglers in the US “are left in the dark about whether recreational fishing will be allowed to occur.”
“What’s at stake? If recreational fishing is banned in these areas, the President would be sending the alarming message that at any time, and without justification, he and future Presidents can close huge areas of public waters to the public.”
More info at: boatingunited.com