I know a lot of you aren't aware about what is happening in North Carolina right now but god forbid your state sees a spike in attacks and you guys could be in the same boat as us...
It's sickening what the media, local town councils, and state officials have done to throw us (big game fishermen) under the boat. In order to save the tourism industry a dozen of local towns have over reached their powers and voted with ignorance. As far as anyone knows not one shark that attacked the eight unlucky souls was hooked or actively being pursued by fishermen. The chumming accusation is just ignorant as well, since every land based shark fisherman in North Carolina knows that a chum slick in the breakers will only wash up onto the beach and is generally not worth the time or effort.
Feeling disheartened right now...
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Emer ... 94111.html
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/s ... est/nmxS7/
http://wnct.com/2015/07/07/shark-fishin ... rald-isle/
The towns who went through with the ban haven't had an attack yet either.
Local governments often over react to appease the locals and the TOURIST DOLLARS--looks like the movie Jaws all over again.Sad to see Fear and Ignorance win again,you would think we are still in the 1970's when the movie Jaws put fear in all the beach goers.I guess all the progress we have made in educating the public with good science that sharks are not blood thirsty eating machines has fallen on deaf ears in North Carolina--what a shame.My suggestion would be to start reaching out to ALL the fishermen in your area and start a letter writing campaign to the local and state authorities to complain about the ignorant Laws that are being passed .Many times small sea side communities pass local fishing ordinances that are conflicting with the state laws that have been in place for more then a century when people depended on fishing and hunting as a way to feed there families- worth looking into. Try reaching out to Stan J Warren (on facebook or this site)the South Carolina representative of the Shorebound Anglers Alliance and see if he has contacts in N Carolina willing to work for there land-based shark fishing rights there.
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Although I am ot with the Shorebound Angler's Alliance, I have reached out to the NC Marine Patrol and the Marie Fisheries. Apparently there are several bans that have been put in place int he last day or so. Their rules are very similar to ours, in that the beaches below the high tide mark belong to the state. They go a step further to say that the dry sand from the dunes seaward, are in a public trust and can not be privatized and that the public has full access without interference from the state.
Now, the Marine Fishery is aware that the bans are in place and they are currently checking with their lawyers to fins out if the county has any rights to do this considering that the fishery usually has the only right to regulate fishing activities. So, be patient. They are working on getting to the bottom of this and I think they will see that the county is acting illegally. I have reached out to them to show them where the courts have already ruled about the public's right to the beaches and I will be on the phone all day tomorrow working on this.
Although I am ot with the Shorebound Angler's Alliance, I have reached out to the NC Marine Patrol and the Marie Fisheries. Apparently there are several bans that have been put in place int he last day or so. Their rules are very similar to ours, in that the beaches below the high tide mark belong to the state. They go a step further to say that the dry sand from the dunes seaward, are in a public trust and can not be privatized and that the public has full access without interference from the state.
Now, the Marine Fishery is aware that the bans are in place and they are currently checking with their lawyers to fins out if the county has any rights to do this considering that the fishery usually has the only right to regulate fishing activities. So, be patient. They are working on getting to the bottom of this and I think they will see that the county is acting illegally. I have reached out to them to show them where the courts have already ruled about the public's right to the beaches and I will be on the phone all day tomorrow working on this.
I saw your post on the big game fishing ban as well. I am a North Carolina resident and will be more than willing to help get this ban overturned! Thank you very much for helping us out!
The media really is sick...