From my local baitshop , here is an update on the meeting in washington last week and a plea for help.
Eric,
I did speak with my bait supplier, and he seemed a little evasive with an update. but basically said, no change. the list remains at 37 banned species, but did hint around that there could possibly be a ban on harvesting altogether. but nothing has changed since the initial ban.
as for the immediate future, his farm is stocked with plenty of emerald shiners for the upcoming ice fishing season.
as for the long term, I think that the voice should be heard a little louder, as you suggested. I don't think the fish farm industry can make a case without the support of the millions this ban could potentially affect. this obviously will take time, money, planning, organization, etc... any volunteers ??
but the main goal is not to fight the ban itself, as it was an emergency act to curb the spread of the virus until they can figure out how to stop it. we are not arguing the fact, that the virus doesn't exist or pose a threat. our question is, if we've known about the virus being a problem in Europe, and we've known that other non-indigenous plant and animal ( zebra mussels, gobies, etc... ) life have been being brought over here for many years, and we've even known exactly how these things are being introduced into our waterways ( i.e. ballast water from European tankers and freighters ), then why has it come to this ?
this virus is deadly, no doubt. and it does realistically pose a threat to our natural resources. it does need to be contained and stopped. but instead of imposing bans that hurt local economies, we instead, find alternate ways to stabilize ships or ways to recycle the ballast water, or sanitize it before being released into our waterways.
you can follow the progress here
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/aqua/
hope this helps
ron
hook, line & sinker
248.814.9216
[email protected]Gosh I feel bad for people trying to make a living in this industry. There up against a giant.Ill be posting this on the main page and probally in the NY thread.