What do you think of commercial fishing vessels taking such large numbers of fish from our commercial fishing grounds.

Sure there are pro's and cons to this ever dragging subject but is anyone stopping to look to the future? Our children have as much right to this resource as any adult does. Has anyone ever thought how overseas fishing grounds have been exploited by commercial fishing and are now relatively extinct....... We have a wonderful country and no I'm not a greeny or fishing activist but if we were clever about our resource it should last indefinately..... we should be promoting our fishing overseas and getting the wealthier tourists coming into the country for the oppotunity to catch a large fish and then have the joy of releasing it...Yes releasing it as most large fish that we catch are probably many years older than all of us and sporn alot more than what many people realise. Taking that out of the sea while it isn't illegal is more damaging than catching six under size fish (not that I condone that).

While there has to be a place for commercial fisherman I think that the situation needs to be looked at overall for the safety of our future.

Voodoo

Just in case anybody with any clout out there reads this site (and maybe it would be an idea to let someone know?) I think I'll add my voice to this one.

I don't want to be offensive to commercial fisherman but they act like the stupedest bunch of (please insert your own honorific here) on the planet.  Politicians are only interested in fishing from a financial point of view and I understand people want jobs but taking all the fish this year puts you out of work next year doesn't it?  Don't end up like Europe (as mentioned in another post) and sitting there saying "well if I don't catch them someone else will" is not a valid response.  Like they say if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem.

I think the idea of marketing upmarket (or even downmarket) fishing charters and calculating the tourism income is great.  I've had friends from the UK visit and they've loved the idea of catching a fish and most want to release rather than keep.  The impact on the fish seems to be minimal whatever and the money brought in could be substantial - couldn't it?

And finally - "Gone Fishing" - I love that show, great host, the right mix of professionalism and enthusiasm and plenty of reminders about releasing fish appropriately.  Thumbs up.

Just in case anybody out there is reading y'know.......