Countering Anti-fishing Movements
 
1. Comply with the letter and spirit, of all laws and regulations
regarding fishing.  Make sure you have a valid fishing license or
any other required permits in your possession while fishing.
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 fish that you want to eat.  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.  Leave your fishing environment in better
condition than you found it.
 
3. Try to fish 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.  And it might not be a good idea to advertise
the fact that you are a fisherman by displaying fishing related stickers
on your vehicle or home.  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.
Try to learn something about the anti-fishing movement.  Remember,
knowledge is power.
 
5. If possible, just avoid areas where there are anti-fishing
persons present.  If approached by anti-fishing activists, politely
tell them to please leave you alone.  If they persist, report them to the
authorities.  If asked questions by anti-fishing persons, ask them to
leave you alone.  If you do speak to them, be polite and be careful
what you say.  Anti-fishing activists will generally try to either convince
you that fishing is wrong and that fish feel pain when caught.  It is best
not to get into a discussion about fishing.  Don't give them any chance
of taking what you say and twisting it to be used against fishing.  You
are in no way obligated to speak to them.  Try to ignore them.  Again,
ask them to leave you alone.  If they persist, notify the authorities.
 
6. If approached by persons claiming to be taking a fishing
survey, politely decline and ask that they leave you alone.  If
they persist, ask to see their identification, and the name,
address and telephone of the organization they are surveying for.
Copy down the information and report it to proper authorities.
Again, politely decline to participate and ask to be left alone.
If they still persist, report them to the authorities.
 
7. 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.
 
10. Enjoy fishing often.  Consider joining fishing or related
organizations and subscribing to fishing related publications.
There is strength in unity.
 
 
## Msg Posted by OZMPOST v0.01#
 
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