There are forces at work that are dedicated to banning fishing!
 
There are organizations and individuals that feel that fishing is cruel
and want to stop you from fishing. They have a right to feel or believe
anything.  Hoever, they do not have a right to interfere with the legal
activities of others.
 
Anti-fishing activists have been known to conduct both legal and illegal
activities in pursuit of their goals.
 
These anti-fishing activists conduct rallies, demonstrations, and protests
against fishing. They have been known to crowd piers and docks, operate
boats near people fishing, even hit the water with sticks and throw things
in the water to scare away fish. In most cases, making noises, interferring
with access, bothering or harassing people, and throwing things in water or
striking water are illegal activities. In many jurisdictions there are laws
underwhich violators can be prosecuted for conducting illegal activities.
 
In most cases, we have the legal right to fish. The taking of game is
part of nature's way of controlling species.
 
Following are a few guidelines for countering the anti-fishing movements
taking place.
 
 
             Countering Anti-fishing Movements
 
1. Know and comply with the letter and spirit, of all laws and regulations
regarding fishing.  Make sure you have a valid fishing license and
any other required permits in your possession while fishing. If you
operate a boat while fishing make absolutely sure you are complying
with the law. Carry a copy of local fishing regulations with you.
Fish in a legal manner only in authorized areas and with legal
equipment and tackle and keep only legal fish.
If you comply with the law, you have a legal right to fish.
 
2. Conduct yourself in a ethical, and conservative manner while
fishing.  Keep only legal fish that you want to eat or use in a legal
manner.  Return unwanted or unauthorized fish back to the water they
came from.  Use only well maintained equipment and tackle.
Be considerate of others around you.  Keep as quiet as possible
and when walking or boating around other fishermen, give them a
wide berth.  Don't litter or pollute and report people who do to the
authorities.  Leave your fishing environment in better condition
than you found it.
 
3. Consider fishing with at least one other person for companionship
and security.  Lock your vehicle and try to keep it in sight or
have someone watch it.  Don't leave your fishing gear and other
possessions unattended.  Consider carrying a cellular telephone
or CB-Radio.
 
4. Write to your elected representatives and tell them how you
feel about fishing and the efforts to ban fishing.  Fishermen
contribute millions of dollars towards wildlife conservation.
 
5. If approached by anti-fishing activists, politely tell them to
please leave you alone.  If they persist, report them to the
authorities. No one has the right to bother or harass ayone.
 
6. If approached by persons claiming to be taking a fishing
survey, politely decline and ask them to leave you alone.
If they persist, ask to see their identification, and the name,
address and telephone of the organization they are surveying for.
Again, politely decline to participate and ask to be left alone.
If they still persist, report them to the authorities.
 
7. It is best to avoid anti-fishing activists if at all possible.
If you know that anti-fishing activists are in an area, consider
fishing somewhere else if you can. If anti-fishing activists try
to block or crowd fishing areas, make unnecessary noise, hit the
water, or throw anything into the water, report them to the authorities.
 
8.  If you feel harassed threatened or endangered by anyone, try
to get help and report the matter to the authorities immediately.
If you observe anyone committing a criminal act, report them to
the authorities.
 
9. Do not make any verbal or physical gestures that could be
considered by anyone as threatening in any manner. Remember, two
wrongs do not make a right. Conduct yourself in an ethical and
legal manner.
 
10. Enjoy fishing often.  Consider joining fishing or related
organizations and subscribing to fishing related publications.
 
## Msg Posted by OZMPOST v0.01#
 
---
---------------