Opinion in Eugene's Red Guard on "Marine Preserves"

[fishwhenican]

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms...26&sid=5&fid=2

Sorry, I meant the Register Guard. Written letters to the editor need to be sent in from multiple people. I am working on mine. How about You?

[Cloud-Nine]

[quote=fishwhenican;1894981]http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms...26&sid=5&fid=2

Read to the bottom and see who wrote the editorial.
No surprize.

[black magic]

The Register Guard has been pretty one sided on this issue. I would urge people who live within the normal circulation area of the RG to submit rebuttal letters. I and others have done it on several occasions to no avail. When we inquired as to why, we were told we did not reside locally which is their priority. This reason was given even though the authors of the op-ed pieces were not local. Calling them and asking about their letters policy couldn't hurt. It may take some pressure on them (repeated requests) so they know their biases are not hidden.

BTW. Gus Gates is a paid political hatchet man for Pew Charitable Trust.

[fyshndad]

I think I am going to puke

[black magic]

Originally Posted by fyshndad

I think I am going to puke

You may just have to hold it, Hank. It's not likely chumming will be allowed in a marine reserve.

[fishwhenican]

I was able to send the following response to the Register Guard tonight. We will see what gets published.

To those who live in the Eugene area COME ON GUYS RESPOND! JOIN RFA, JOIN OREGON ANGLERS you can do it for about the cost of a tank of fuel.


I am writing this letter in response to Gus Gates’ Guest viewpoint “Ocean preserves would be good for all of us on the coast” published 2/27/08. I have to ask why we need Marine Reserves. We currently have 15 State Designated Marine Protected Areas in Oregon’s territorial sea. The territorial sea extends 3 miles off the Oregon coast. While we certainly do have a diverse and complex underwater eco-system off the Oregon coast, not all of the area is rocky reefs. In fact only 5% of the territorial sea has been mapped in enough detail for fish-habitat assessments, because of this we don’t know where the “hotspots” are for fish larvae, fish recruitment and biodiversity. We also don’t know the nursery areas for juvenile flatfish and crab, which require sandy areas.
Groundfish stock assessments have only been done on 8 of 43 species encountered in state waters. Six of these fish are healthy and two of these species, Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish, have been classified as depleted, and there have been many changes in Fisheries management because of this. Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish are rarely found in state waters. Federal waters are closed in the areas these fish are found to protect them from April 1st to September 30th in waters over 40 fathoms deep. Anyone familiar with the ocean conditions off the Oregon coast during October through March would realize that there are very few days when sport fisherman could safely fish in the ocean. So, how can we compare Oregon to Florida or other tropical water locations around the world, when weather limits our access? Commercial and sport harvest caps are revised every year as required by Federal law, to make certain that depleted species are rebuilt. The recovery of Lingcod stocks is an example of how well the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in conjunction with Federal agencies, is managing our near shore species.
Perhaps if Mr. Gates had seen what lies beneath the waves prior to 2004 he would realize how well our fisheries are being managed. I’ve been diving off the Oregon Coast for 30 years, and in the last ten years I’ve seen a big change for the better. The Black and Blue Rockfish are larger and more abundant, the lingcod population appears to have tripled, and greenlings are larger and more prevalent. As a diver and sport fisherman I have to ask, why do we need to place more restrictions and limits on where we can fish? The myriad of sport fishing regulations we must abide by are easily accessed on the ODFW website.
Mr. Gates mentions catching Tuna, Salmon, and Halibut, but fails to mention that Tuna and Halibut are mainly caught outside of Oregon’s Territorial sea. Tuna are classified as a Highly Migratory Species and are rarely caught closer than 20 miles offshore. Halibut are also a migratory species and are rarely caught or fished for in Oregon waters. While Salmon are caught in Oregon waters, they are also a migratory fish; any Marine Reserve would do little to benefit them.
Mr. Gates also fails to mention the additional areas of our state waters that may soon be off limits to fisherman, surfers, and maybe even beach walkers. Wave energy parks may soon be coming to the Oregon coast. I agree with Mr. Gates’ quote in regards to energy parks (8/27/07 kgw.com) “We’re kind of jumping the gun here,” Gates said. “Why should we give up our ocean, our activity, if it doesn’t benefit us? If could be great if it’s done small, well-planned, conservatively.” I’ll turn that quote around and say the same about Marine Reserves; we are kind of jumping the gun here, the time table and lack of funding will mean that Marine Reserves established in this manner will not be well-planned or conservative.
Why is Governor Kulongoski pushing so hard to quickly establish Marine Reserves? If it wasn’t for the states Ocean Policy Advisory Council pushing the Governor to extend his timeline, so that educational meetings could be held along the coast, there would have been very little information available to the general public. These meetings were presented by Oregon Sea Grant (OSU). There are currently no funds available to allocate for research before or after an area is set aside. This unfunded mandate, from the top down, to establish Marine Reserves has pulled ODFW people off important projects such as Oregon’s Nearshore Marine Resources Management Strategy. There are a limited number of people that have the necessary experience to guide our strategy for marine resources. Pulling people off a science based project in order to quickly launch Marine Reserves smells political. If we need Marine Reserves, shouldn’t it be based on science not a feel good emotional response?


Mark Gotchall

[Metal Manipulator]

Good Job fishwhenican I hope it makes it into the paper. The Red Gaurd is a very liberal paper so I won't hold my breath.

Thanks

[Pilar]

I read that paper for the personal ads.



There is an art to getting published in a editorial rebuttal. Great points raised and well said.

I think I'll write a shorter note asking for an explanation of how a nearshore reserve helps deepwater fish like the two that are currently overfished. Maybe we should ask Gus how much time he spends on the water.

[northriver1]

We will see if the RG wants to give the other side.

Might be a little long for there likes but good job Mark.

[fishwhenican]

I was pleasantly surprised to find an email from the editorial page editor when I got home tonight. Part of that as follows;

"Thanks for your essay on marine reserves. I appreciate your effort to ensure that our readers are informed of all sides of this debate, and am certain that we can find space for your column sometime soon.".......

Again, I am pleasantly surprised.

Originally Posted by northriver1

We will see if the RG wants to give the other side.

Might be a little long for there likes but good job Mark.

[Deepslayer]

We'll all cross our fingers for you & hope the rebuttal makes a difference politically.
,Ed

[Metal Manipulator]

Way to go fishwhenican!

[Newbs]

Originally Posted by fishwhenican

I was able to send the following response to the Register Guard tonight. We will see what gets published.

To those who live in the Eugene area COME ON GUYS RESPOND! JOIN RFA, JOIN OREGON ANGLERS you can do it for about the cost of a tank of fuel.........


?


Mark Gotchall

Very well written Mark. My hat is off to you... What the heck is a "Billfish Boat"?

[Coho Cowboy]

Originally Posted by fishwhenican

I was able to send the following response to the Register Guard tonight. We will see what gets published.

To those who live in the Eugene area COME ON GUYS RESPOND! JOIN RFA, JOIN OREGON ANGLERS you can do it for about the cost of a tank of fuel.


I am writing this letter in response to Gus Gates’ Guest viewpoint “Ocean preserves would be good for all of us on the coast” published 2/27/08. I have to ask why we need Marine Reserves. We currently have 15 State Designated Marine Protected Areas in Oregon’s territorial sea. The territorial sea extends 3 miles off the Oregon coast. While we certainly do have a diverse and complex underwater eco-system off the Oregon coast, not all of the area is rocky reefs. In fact only 5% of the territorial sea has been mapped in enough detail for fish-habitat assessments, because of this we don’t know where the “hotspots” are for fish larvae, fish recruitment and biodiversity. We also don’t know the nursery areas for juvenile flatfish and crab, which require sandy areas.
Groundfish stock assessments have only been done on 8 of 43 species encountered in state waters. Six of these fish are healthy and two of these species, Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish, have been classified as depleted, and there have been many changes in Fisheries management because of this. Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish are rarely found in state waters. Federal waters are closed in the areas these fish are found to protect them from April 1st to September 30th in waters over 40 fathoms deep. Anyone familiar with the ocean conditions off the Oregon coast during October through March would realize that there are very few days when sport fisherman could safely fish in the ocean. So, how can we compare Oregon to Florida or other tropical water locations around the world, when weather limits our access? Commercial and sport harvest caps are revised every year as required by Federal law, to make certain that depleted species are rebuilt. The recovery of Lingcod stocks is an example of how well the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in conjunction with Federal agencies, is managing our near shore species.
Perhaps if Mr. Gates had seen what lies beneath the waves prior to 2004 he would realize how well our fisheries are being managed. I’ve been diving off the Oregon Coast for 30 years, and in the last ten years I’ve seen a big change for the better. The Black and Blue Rockfish are larger and more abundant, the lingcod population appears to have tripled, and greenlings are larger and more prevalent. As a diver and sport fisherman I have to ask, why do we need to place more restrictions and limits on where we can fish? The myriad of sport fishing regulations we must abide by are easily accessed on the ODFW website.
Mr. Gates mentions catching Tuna, Salmon, and Halibut, but fails to mention that Tuna and Halibut are mainly caught outside of Oregon’s Territorial sea. Tuna are classified as a Highly Migratory Species and are rarely caught closer than 20 miles offshore. Halibut are also a migratory species and are rarely caught or fished for in Oregon waters. While Salmon are caught in Oregon waters, they are also a migratory fish; any Marine Reserve would do little to benefit them.
Mr. Gates also fails to mention the additional areas of our state waters that may soon be off limits to fisherman, surfers, and maybe even beach walkers. Wave energy parks may soon be coming to the Oregon coast. I agree with Mr. Gates’ quote in regards to energy parks (8/27/07 kgw.com) “We’re kind of jumping the gun here,” Gates said. “Why should we give up our ocean, our activity, if it doesn’t benefit us? If could be great if it’s done small, well-planned, conservatively.” I’ll turn that quote around and say the same about Marine Reserves; we are kind of jumping the gun here, the time table and lack of funding will mean that Marine Reserves established in this manner will not be well-planned or conservative.
Why is Governor Kulongoski pushing so hard to quickly establish Marine Reserves? If it wasn’t for the states Ocean Policy Advisory Council pushing the Governor to extend his timeline, so that educational meetings could be held along the coast, there would have been very little information available to the general public. These meetings were presented by Oregon Sea Grant (OSU). There are currently no funds available to allocate for research before or after an area is set aside. This unfunded mandate, from the top down, to establish Marine Reserves has pulled ODFW people off important projects such as Oregon’s Nearshore Marine Resources Management Strategy. There are a limited number of people that have the necessary experience to guide our strategy for marine resources. Pulling people off a science based project in order to quickly launch Marine Reserves smells political. If we need Marine Reserves, shouldn’t it be based on science not a feel good emotional response?


Mark Gotchall

Great Job Mark!

[northriver1]

Originally Posted by Newbs

Very well written Mark. My hat is off to you... What the heck is a "Billfish Boat"?

A boat that is towed 1,625 miles to Mexico and than the captain and crew stumble into a sailfish or two. you have to like a plan that comes together.

Mark - Half way home but the letter is still not printed.

[vudo]

Originally Posted by fishwhenican

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms...26&sid=5&fid=2

Sorry, I meant the Register Guard. Written letters to the editor need to be sent in from multiple people. I am working on mine. How about You?

Don't be sorry, I called it he Red Guard also. Sometimes I just call it crap! Nicely written letter by the way!

[fishwhenican]

Originally Posted by Newbs

Very well written Mark. My hat is off to you... What the heck is a "Billfish Boat"?

It Looks like this; (Sorry Bob, I couldn't find the Sailfish photo)

[northriver1]

That is ok Mark as I don't need a photo to remember the moment. One of the highlights of my time fiishing on this earth. My only regret was it was me that had to catch the fish, NOT.

Hijack over.

Bob aka the crew

[Whosit]

Originally Posted by fishwhenican

I was able to send the following response to the Register Guard tonight. We will see what gets published.

To those who live in the Eugene area COME ON GUYS RESPOND! JOIN RFA, JOIN OREGON ANGLERS you can do it for about the cost of a tank of fuel.


I am writing this letter in response to Gus Gates’ Guest viewpoint “Ocean preserves would be good for all of us on the coast” published 2/27/08. I have to ask why we need Marine Reserves. We currently have 15 State Designated Marine Protected Areas in Oregon’s territorial sea. The territorial sea extends 3 miles off the Oregon coast. While we certainly do have a diverse and complex underwater eco-system off the Oregon coast, not all of the area is rocky reefs. In fact only 5% of the territorial sea has been mapped in enough detail for fish-habitat assessments, because of this we don’t know where the “hotspots” are for fish larvae, fish recruitment and biodiversity. We also don’t know the nursery areas for juvenile flatfish and crab, which require sandy areas.
Groundfish stock assessments have only been done on 8 of 43 species encountered in state waters. Six of these fish are healthy and two of these species, Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish, have been classified as depleted, and there have been many changes in Fisheries management because of this. Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish are rarely found in state waters. Federal waters are closed in the areas these fish are found to protect them from April 1st to September 30th in waters over 40 fathoms deep. Anyone familiar with the ocean conditions off the Oregon coast during October through March would realize that there are very few days when sport fisherman could safely fish in the ocean. So, how can we compare Oregon to Florida or other tropical water locations around the world, when weather limits our access? Commercial and sport harvest caps are revised every year as required by Federal law, to make certain that depleted species are rebuilt. The recovery of Lingcod stocks is an example of how well the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in conjunction with Federal agencies, is managing our near shore species.
Perhaps if Mr. Gates had seen what lies beneath the waves prior to 2004 he would realize how well our fisheries are being managed. I’ve been diving off the Oregon Coast for 30 years, and in the last ten years I’ve seen a big change for the better. The Black and Blue Rockfish are larger and more abundant, the lingcod population appears to have tripled, and greenlings are larger and more prevalent. As a diver and sport fisherman I have to ask, why do we need to place more restrictions and limits on where we can fish? The myriad of sport fishing regulations we must abide by are easily accessed on the ODFW website.
Mr. Gates mentions catching Tuna, Salmon, and Halibut, but fails to mention that Tuna and Halibut are mainly caught outside of Oregon’s Territorial sea. Tuna are classified as a Highly Migratory Species and are rarely caught closer than 20 miles offshore. Halibut are also a migratory species and are rarely caught or fished for in Oregon waters. While Salmon are caught in Oregon waters, they are also a migratory fish; any Marine Reserve would do little to benefit them.
Mr. Gates also fails to mention the additional areas of our state waters that may soon be off limits to fisherman, surfers, and maybe even beach walkers. Wave energy parks may soon be coming to the Oregon coast. I agree with Mr. Gates’ quote in regards to energy parks (8/27/07 kgw.com) “We’re kind of jumping the gun here,” Gates said. “Why should we give up our ocean, our activity, if it doesn’t benefit us? If could be great if it’s done small, well-planned, conservatively.” I’ll turn that quote around and say the same about Marine Reserves; we are kind of jumping the gun here, the time table and lack of funding will mean that Marine Reserves established in this manner will not be well-planned or conservative.
Why is Governor Kulongoski pushing so hard to quickly establish Marine Reserves? If it wasn’t for the states Ocean Policy Advisory Council pushing the Governor to extend his timeline, so that educational meetings could be held along the coast, there would have been very little information available to the general public. These meetings were presented by Oregon Sea Grant (OSU). There are currently no funds available to allocate for research before or after an area is set aside. This unfunded mandate, from the top down, to establish Marine Reserves has pulled ODFW people off important projects such as Oregon’s Nearshore Marine Resources Management Strategy. There are a limited number of people that have the necessary experience to guide our strategy for marine resources. Pulling people off a science based project in order to quickly launch Marine Reserves smells political. If we need Marine Reserves, shouldn’t it be based on science not a feel good emotional response?


Mark Gotchall

Very well stated, thank you Mark

[Pilar]

Marlin on a beercan boat. Boooooooyyyyyaaaaaa!!!!


You guys rock!

[Moldy45]

Nice Response! I bow down too you.
I have written letters to legislature's and senator's
I have been to 2 of these OPAC meetings Florence 4 dogs there and Reed sport Me and my crew no other familiar faces.
Going to these meetings cost me a lot of money,loss time and cash to get there .
I challenge those of you who have a vested interest in using our coastal waters to at least write off some letters or write editorials like this one.
or don't be the first one's to complain when you have a expensive trout boat you are storing

[northriver1]

The RG today published Mark's letter to the paper. A star is born. As fishwhenicans response to Mr Gates "guest viewpoint" was rather long I didn't think they would publish it.

[SeaJayOR]

Kudos

CJ

[Metal Manipulator]

Way to go Fishwhenican.

Thank you

[Critr Gitr]

see it here

Guest Viewpoint
Jumping into marine reserves not the answer for Oregon

By Mark Gotchall

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms...21&sid=5&fid=2