Ted Williams

2007-02-28

RFA WINS ONE FOR ALASKAS HALIBUT FISHERMEN

Anchorage, AK- With the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) proposing a 50 percent cut in Halibut catch for Alaska's recreational anglers, the charter boat industry in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska were facing the threat of a potentially crippling reduction. The IPHC proposal would have reduced the state's current bag limit from two halibut per day to only one, placing a severe strain on an industry that thrives on the high demand of anglers, both resident and non-resident, seeking halibut in Alaskan waters. Last month the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) launched an intense lobbying effort with the full force of its entire membership, including a letter writing campaign to Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. To further...

Posted at 11:54 PM in Ted Williams Blog | Permalink | Comments

2007-02-28

Protecting Brook Trout from Live Baitfish

Another super editorial from these good papers: Protecting brookies Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Brook trout are native only to eastern North America. They're a fish prized by anglers, who will spend many dollars and much time in their pursuit. Anglers who love them say that brookies are the embodiment of contradiction: they're tough fighters, but a delicate fish that must be handled with care. They're so delicate and vulnerable, in fact, that changes in their native habitats can wreak havoc with trout. They don't like development, which can pollute and overheat their waters. Brook trout also don't like pike and smelt and other non-native fish being introduced to the lakes and ponds they call home in Maine. Some of these fish eat...

Posted at 04:14 PM in Ted Williams Blog | Permalink | Comments

2007-02-26

Vital Conservation Program at Risk

Conservation Reserve Program in Jeopardy under USDA Proposal The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is by all indications one of the most successful conservation programs in the country. Enacted under the Farm Bill 20 years ago, the program pays farmers to set aside land for protection of soil, water and wildlife. The program has enrolled some 36-million acres, more land than in the entire National Wildlife Refuge system in the lower 48 states and has been critical to maintaining wildlife populations on the landscape. But now the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed eliminating general enrollments in CRP for the next two years, at a time when over 4-million acres of CRP will be expiring. Further, Secretary Johanns has also announced that he...

Posted at 08:22 PM in Ted Williams Blog | Permalink | Comments