Comments on: OBAMA’S “OCEAN POLICY TASK FORCE” http://www.reel-time.com/articles/conservation/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-the-%e2%80%9cocean-policy-task-force%e2%80%9d/ The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fishing Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:35:08 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Bill Hubbard http://www.reel-time.com/articles/conservation/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-the-%e2%80%9cocean-policy-task-force%e2%80%9d/#comment-321 Bill Hubbard Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:47:55 +0000 http://www.reel-time.com/?p=11183#comment-321 John, I did not know about the Oceans Policy Task Force and it's work until you brought it up here last month for which I thank you. Having been involved in fisheries matters in MA and NH; I am certainly aware of the paranoia attendant to many projects in the form of Marine MPAs. Stellwagen Bank comes to mind immediately. There, at least so far, we have not seen loss of access for recreational fishing; though some are still working with stealth to to close the area down. I think the Task Force and spatial planning bears close watching by the recreational community but, I also think we have to watch it with open minds. You cite the Cholera Bank issue as one that could benefit by good spatial planning and, there are surely others. Certainly, the Cape Wind Project to place 180 huge windmills in Nantucket Sound is another. I think it will boil down to how the Task Force perceives it's mandate. So far, at least, they seem to be moving in the right direction but, as in municipal plannning; there are good plans and their are bad plans and, it's up to the public to keep aware of what's coming at us. Not always an easy job; but forums like this give us a big assist. John,
I did not know about the Oceans Policy Task Force and it’s work until you brought it up here last month for which I thank you.

Having been involved in fisheries matters in MA and NH; I am certainly aware of the paranoia attendant to many projects in the form of Marine MPAs. Stellwagen Bank comes to mind immediately. There, at least so far, we have not seen loss of access for recreational fishing; though some are still working with stealth to to close the area down.

I think the Task Force and spatial planning bears close watching by the recreational community but, I also think we have to watch it with open minds. You cite the Cholera Bank issue as one that could benefit by good spatial planning and, there are surely others. Certainly, the Cape Wind Project to place 180 huge windmills in Nantucket Sound is another.

I think it will boil down to how the Task Force perceives it’s mandate. So far, at least, they seem to be moving in the right direction but, as in municipal plannning; there are good plans and their are bad plans and, it’s up to the public to keep aware of what’s coming at us. Not always an easy job; but forums like this give us a big assist.

]]> By: Capt. John McMurray http://www.reel-time.com/articles/conservation/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-the-%e2%80%9cocean-policy-task-force%e2%80%9d/#comment-301 Capt. John McMurray Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:43:44 +0000 http://www.reel-time.com/?p=11183#comment-301 MForbes... I hear what you’re saying but I really don’t believe this is a push for no take MPAs by Lubchenco or anyone else. It’s addressing an ocean-use issue that we should have addressed a long time ago. Spatial planning could well have some utility for restricting the use of commercial gear, particularly fixed gear such as bottom gill nets and fish traps. There's a piece of hard bottom of western Long Island (Cholera Bank) that is one of the only hard-bottom habitats off the south shore, important to both recreational and commercial fishermen, that's currently a candidate for a huge "sea island" LNG plant. Instead of having to go to numerous public hearings, talking to legislators etc, every time one of these proposals pops up, spatial planning could be a tool to permanently keep such plants off good bottom. That really makes a lot of sense to me. MForbes… I hear what you’re saying but I really don’t believe this is a push for no take MPAs by Lubchenco or anyone else. It’s addressing an ocean-use issue that we should have addressed a long time ago. Spatial planning could well have some utility for restricting the use of commercial gear, particularly fixed gear such as bottom gill nets and fish traps. There’s a piece of hard bottom of western Long Island (Cholera Bank) that is one of the only hard-bottom habitats off the south shore, important to both recreational and commercial fishermen, that’s currently a candidate for a huge “sea island” LNG plant. Instead of having to go to numerous public hearings, talking to legislators etc, every time one of these proposals pops up, spatial planning could be a tool to permanently keep such plants off good bottom. That really makes a lot of sense to me.

]]> By: MForbes http://www.reel-time.com/articles/conservation/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-the-%e2%80%9cocean-policy-task-force%e2%80%9d/#comment-291 MForbes Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:20:06 +0000 http://www.reel-time.com/?p=11183#comment-291 John, Yes, there is tons of stuff. There is also tons of stuff about Lubchenco's desire and political activities over the years in favor of marine reserves where all fishing is prohibited. You must be aware of all the effort environmental groups have put into establishing marine reserves under various guises, including ecosystem management, marine planning, etc. I think you readers deserve at least a nod to the very real possibility that this process will lead to marine reserves. John,
Yes, there is tons of stuff. There is also tons of stuff about Lubchenco’s desire and political activities over the years in favor of marine reserves where all fishing is prohibited. You must be aware of all the effort environmental groups have put into establishing marine reserves under various guises, including ecosystem management, marine planning, etc.
I think you readers deserve at least a nod to the very real possibility that this process will lead to marine reserves.

]]> By: Capt. John McMurray http://www.reel-time.com/articles/conservation/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-the-%e2%80%9cocean-policy-task-force%e2%80%9d/#comment-289 Capt. John McMurray Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:25:02 +0000 http://www.reel-time.com/?p=11183#comment-289 Thanks for the comments... I understand where you are coming form, but I just don't think there is any underlying motive here. "Ocean Sprawl" is an issue to that needs to be addressed. And it needs to be done now, before we start getting pushed out of areas to make way for LNG, wind power, aquaculture etc. and really, that's what this effort is. As far as I can tell, Lubchenco has been unusually receptive, and willing to listen to the recreational community. Do a Google search and you'll find a ton of stuff. There has been no movement as far as I can tell toward establishing marine reserves by this administration and I don't see this effort as a means to that end. That said, I suppose it does concern me some, but not enough to jam up a process that is clearly a step in the right direction to deal with an encroaching issue. Thanks for the comments… I understand where you are coming form, but I just don’t think there is any underlying motive here. “Ocean Sprawl” is an issue to that needs to be addressed. And it needs to be done now, before we start getting pushed out of areas to make way for LNG, wind power, aquaculture etc. and really, that’s what this effort is. As far as I can tell, Lubchenco has been unusually receptive, and willing to listen to the recreational community. Do a Google search and you’ll find a ton of stuff. There has been no movement as far as I can tell toward establishing marine reserves by this administration and I don’t see this effort as a means to that end. That said, I suppose it does concern me some, but not enough to jam up a process that is clearly a step in the right direction to deal with an encroaching issue.

]]> By: MForbes http://www.reel-time.com/articles/conservation/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-the-%e2%80%9cocean-policy-task-force%e2%80%9d/#comment-282 MForbes Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:15:49 +0000 http://www.reel-time.com/?p=11183#comment-282 John, I agree that not including the scup GRA on the MPA list is silly. However, considering Lubchecno's past and the ongoing push for marine reserves (no fishing of any sort allowed), the paranoia about that the spatioal planning process will be used to establish reserves seems justified. Are you not concerned in the least about this? John,
I agree that not including the scup GRA on the MPA list is silly. However, considering Lubchecno’s past and the ongoing push for marine reserves (no fishing of any sort allowed), the paranoia about that the spatioal planning process will be used to establish reserves seems justified. Are you not concerned in the least about this?

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