Conservation Kills: The Power of Choice

Ocean fm (Ireland) reports that...

Fishermen's lives are being put at risk because of the strict rules that apply to when they can fish in Irish waters. That's according to the Chairman of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, Martin Howley. He said that better quota management by the Marine Department would mean that fishermen would not have to take risks such as going out in stormy weather. And he has branded MEP Sean O'Neachtain's calls yesterday for a phasing out of deep-sea fishing because of the dangers a 'knee-jerk reaction'.

I am too dumbfounded to respond...but I will. At least in the U.S., quota management is always met with opposition from the fishing industry. There is no reason to believe Ireland is any different. My favorite tactic is the fish-are-doing-fine-we-don't-need-a-quota. So who else is to blame but themselves? They choose to oppose quotas and now they choose to fish in when they do. They should really find a better tactic like the Economic Depression Arguement.

What is your choice? We said it at DSN before and will say it again. You, the consumer, have the power. I am not asking people to give up fish but to make more appropriate decisions. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a great list of better seafood choices. You can print it out and keep it in your wallet for the supermarket or dining out.