Closing US fisheries - shipping jobs offshore

[KeyWest]

Anyone read this today:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc...ort/index.html

As we continue to close harvesting of our own natural resources, we simply shift the problem offshore. People in the US will continue to need to eat regardless of how much corn is shifted to biodiesel, or how many miles of coatline are closed to fishing.

[fish_on]

Along the same lines of food shortages and food rationing.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j...1y5ZgD907TDC80

there are already beginning to be food riots in parts of the world. Look a wheat supplies, we are at an all time low.

[Fishmstr]

Hey, very interesting article. But imported farmed shrimp really doesn't have anything to do with closing down fisheries as much as it has to do with people wanting the cheapest product possible no matter the environmental or social consequences (the Walmart effect).
I read another interesting article a while back about how shrimp fishermen in the southern states are having a hard time making money because they are being undersold by foreign farmed shrimp. They are hoping that U.S. consumers will be willing to pay more for wild caught shrimp...but so far consumers just want the cheapest stuff!!! Hopefully consumers can be educated and begin helping local fishermen...instead of putting them out of business.

[KeyWest]

Originally Posted by Fishmstr

Hey, very interesting article. But imported farmed shrimp really doesn't have anything to do with closing down fisheries as much as it has to do with people wanting the cheapest product possible no matter the environmental or social consequences (the Walmart effect).
I read another interesting article a while back about how shrimp fishermen in the southern states are having a hard time making money because they are being undersold by foreign farmed shrimp. They are hoping that U.S. consumers will be willing to pay more for wild caught shrimp...but so far consumers just want the cheapest stuff!!! Hopefully consumers can be educated and begin helping local fishermen...instead of putting them out of business.

Totally agree - the "Walmart affect" is what I was trying to illustrate. We need to preserve our coastal areas and fish. In the mean time we are simply shifting the burden to less regulated countries.

[corrirod]

Doesn't help the pacific troll fleet much not being able to fish this year. All the while the "salmon farmers" are just loving it because they still have fish to sell, and now at an even higher margin.

It's been said before, we need more hatchery fish. Hatchery are like fish farms only they stimulate the local economy more. Hatchery fish provide not only commercial fishing jobs, but also fish processors, offshore boat sales, tackle sales, hotel room sales, gas sales, etc., etc., etc.

I know, I know, we've heard this all before.