When I wake up, I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee. Much has been researched and written about the connection between our sense of smell and our life choices. We may even pick a mate by the aroma he or she emits. The fragrances we absorb on the walk to our favorite deer stand may indeed be why we like that spot or why we hunt at all for that matter. The smell of salt air in our nostrils may trigger our brain to fall passionately in love with the ocean and all her possessions. I am certain there is merit to this love-smell connection.

If you are an avid or even a casual saltwater fisherman something is brewing that you should be aware of. Some of our leading environmentalist groups have come together to advocate the banning of saltwater fishing in over 300,000 square miles along the continental US coast. The “Ocean Conservancy,” the “Natural Resource Defense Council,” The Environmental Defense,” the “Sierra Club,” the “Audubon Society” (what a surprise) and a host of others have joined forces and are pushing hard for federal legislation to ban fishing in many of our most popular and productive coastal areas and offshore canyons.

At the core of their argument is that many of our saltwater species are in deep trouble. While there is some validity to their criticism, our problems are nothing that current, science-based fisheries management can’t handle. The environmentalists wish to create ocean “Wilderness Areas” just as we have done within our land borders. They relate to our wildlife refuge system and proclaim these efforts must be duplicated in our ocean and coastal environments to achieve restoration and future protection.
Interestingly, these extremists profess modern fisheries management strategies have been woefully inadequate. The only recourse they say is to ban human entry and activity on large blocks of ocean and coastal areas. Only scuba diving on a very limited basis for the purpose of taking pictures would be permitted. They are suggesting a minimum size of 100 square miles to facilitate the recovery of species. Obviously, they choose to ignore the great recovery of our striped bass, fluke, shad and weakfish fisheries. Success stories do not matter to the environmentalists. The elimination of all human activity is their reoccurring theme on land and water. If the environments get their way, we will have new categories of water masses such as “No Fishing Zones” and “Marine Protective Areas.”

Frankly, their request to protect saltwater environments is not really new. During the past decade we have be protecting, by way of federal legislation, coral reefs, small islands and critical breeding areas for certain ocean mammals. Most often, these have been truly unique areas far from large masses of humans. Unfortunately, their new campaign will probably include areas of the Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and the Mississippi Delta. I have just mentioned some of the greatest fish bowls in the country. Let us not forget these areas also provide some of the greatest waterfowl hunting in this nation. Needless to say, I don’t like the smell of this new, grandiose plan.
The American Sport Fishing Association has been leading the fight to defeat this senseless and unwarranted intrusion into our freedom to fish. They have established a website at www.FreedomToFish.org for your review and for you to become involved. Mr. Mike Nussbaum, President, is concerned that we are headed toward the establishment of ocean “museums”, which will be accessed only by the very environmental elitists’ promoting this bizarre scheme.

As usual, a small group of well-financed, holier-than-thou, extremists are trying to dictate policy for 65 million Americans who have come to enjoy fishing. The 12-15 million of us who focus on saltwater fishing will be effected most, but don’t kid yourself by thinking a few concessions will stop the extremists from seeking more. If we follow their logic, soon we may see them request large areas along our rivers and lakes be closed to all human activity, including fishing.
Generally, environmental organizations are not in favor of any extractive activities, regardless of an occasional statement in support of hunting, trapping or fishing. Environmentalists only support our traditions when we can help fulfill their agenda. As an example, Audubon has supported the trapping of coyotes in California to help reduce predation on ground-nesting birds. In my view, these concessions are offered when no other recourse is available to achieve their goals. Exceptions do not make environmentalists our friends.

I considered making this week’s column a dissertation on “how to” catch stripers. Little good it would do to know “how to” if our striper waters are declared “No Fishing Zones.”

My point is obvious. It is time for many to wake up and smell the coffee.