 Protecting Fishing
Rights
The next time you take a trip in your 4x4 and have a blast
with blitzing bass by chasing them down the beach, think for a
moment as to how lucky we are that there are and have been
people out there who have protected your rights to drive and
fish that day. Long standing organizations like the
Montauk Surfcasters Association, LIBBA and UMS, RFA etc. have
been at the forefront of the fight to protect our rights to
recreational fishing.
Conservation and protecting the environment have always
been our top most priority as
fishermen and this has been one of the basic building blocks of
our sport. We have always been very careful on how we
tread in matters of conservation and or environmental impact.
However when truths become half truth and propaganda becomes a
weapon of choice by our opposition just to stop us from fishing
and prevent access, then we must sound the alarm and take
actions to the fullest extent of the law. As a united front we
can make a difference politically or otherwise to safe guard our
interests.
In the last 5 years we have
seen some serious challenges that we as fishermen face. Environmental
groups along with other groups are burning midnight oil to fight
our grandfathered rights
of vehicle access in and around Long Island. As a united
front they are
trying all they can to prevent recreational rights of surf
fishing. As the Vice President of M.S.A., it is in the best
interest of surf fishermen to guard our beaches and be ever
vigilant toward malicious intent towards our long kept fishing
traditions. Each and everyone of us who fishes, must be
ready to take up the agenda and we must bear
responsibility towards our rights. Some of us who are
parents must gear our children toward the process of upholding
these rights.
I would urge everyone of you reading this to make a commitment
to join the following organizations and support them fully.
http://www.surfcasters.org
http://www.umsnet.com/
http://www.savefish.com/
Please volunteer! Spend a few hours of your time to work for a
good cause. Aside from meeting some great people and
enjoying some awesome get togethers, you will appreciate and
perhaps learn more about the importance of fighting for our
rights and be equally shocked to find out how easy it can be for
our enemies to take away a piece of our pristine beaches at a
time until we are left with nothing. Your actions today will
entitle our children to enjoy what we have come to enjoy for
years.
We hold the future of recreational fishing in our own hands.
Please make a difference.
Thank you.
Peresh Dave
1st. V.P. Montauk Surfcasting Association
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