Don't know how many of you guys know, but the Pres signed new legislation to end overfishing by 2011, and to implement scientific research based fishery management.

Here is the link

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/general/news/story?id=2732715

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Trapt in Arizona,

When it comes to politicians "helping" us I'm always a pessimist but I hope this helps. Terrible Ted (Stevens) is no friend to sportfishermen.

FYI, I'm a long time conservative that lived in Stevens state (ALaska)and have had to deal with him politically. He will sell us out to ComFish if he can.

why is it, that when they say they're here to help us, I get this horrible pain, penetrating my butt? A most uncompfortable feeling. One that would require a air mattress doughnut to sit on.

Haha yeah, I am with both of you guys on this one. I tried searching for more info on this, but all I got was the same article cut and pasted to different sites. I am guessing it is just a general press release. I have my fingers crossed that this will be a measure to succesfully establish a sustainable commercial fishery. I have not done any research, but I think it is fairly safe to assume that the serious decline in fish stocks is mostly caused by the commercial sector. Most likely because of the foundation of the two sectors. The recreational sector being based on sport a good meal, and something to pass on to the next generation while the commercial sector is founded on profit right now. I am not saying that the commercial sector is entirely evil, just that it apparently cannot be allowed to govern itself.

The "new" legislation Bush signed was actually a renewal of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A copy of this document can be found here

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/magact/

As you may suspect, it is rather long, but it is written in a way that is easy to understand, and is not full of legal jargon.

The renewal of this act gives me hope as it symbolizes the recognition of the federal government that the current fishery management has not succeded in producing a sustainable fishery, and that action must be taken to avoid problems. It will be interesting to see how they approach this issue and what response the commercial sector gives.