Fishing vs. Diving?

[deadserious]

No, as far as my comments, they were directed to Peter's suggestion to an old time San Pedrano that San Pedro must choose between diving and fishing - both legal activities.

I guess I was under the impression that while fishing is legal, it was being done in a way that was in violation of the law.

If the fisherman were acting within the law, then Peter's issue cannot be with the fisherman, but the law.

[bywarren]

I viewed it as one activity thinking they should have exclusive rights and use of a resource. In this case, at the expense of those who were using the resource in the first place. And, the resource was not in danger until those wanting exclusive use of it came along.
I don't agree with Peter that San Pedro should choose between "being a diving or fishing town" and that the two are "mutually incompatible". Properly managed both should be able to enjoy the resource.

[peterbj7]

The key to this is "properly managed".  There is no management at the moment.  Visible fish stocks are already greatly down from a few years ago.

[bywarren]

I guess this is where friends can disagree, Peter. I see marine reserves where no fishing is allowed, catch and release, protection of the Nassau grouper. What I don't see is enough efforts on controlling pollution and the destruction of the marine ecosystem from excessive development or any efforts to limit the increased demand for seafood coming from the growth in tourism. Asking the village to stop fishing is not what I would consider to be the answer.

[clover]

Bag limits, closed seasons during spawning etc are ways to protect the species of fish.  That would be the responsibility of the GOB.  Being an oligarchy you can predict the chances of that happening  

[bywarren]

Is it really a question of protecting the fish? It is a vast ocean out there and nothing prevents the fish from going to parts of it that is more to their liking. Be it fishing pressure or destruction of habitat, the fish don't have to hang around AC if they don't like it. There is no amount of regulations on the taking of fish that will correct this without protecting the marine environment that the fish need to survive. You can only take what the resource is able to replace. And if you take more or reduce the ability to replace, then you are losing the battle.
And getting back to the original suggestion of Peter's, telling an "old time San Pedrano" that he should stop fishing so divers can see more fish is not the answer.

[clover]

There is no amount of regulations on the taking of fish that will correct this without protecting the marine environment that the fish need to survive. You can only take what the resource is able to replace. And if you take more or reduce the ability to replace, then you are losing the battle.
And getting back to the original suggestion of Peter's, telling an "old time San Pedrano" that he should stop fishing so divers can see more fish is not the answer.

By reducing the amount of fish taken and protecting them during critical times in their lives, like spawning would increase their numbers, and offset the damage done to the marine environment by over-fishing and  over-development of the caye. 

Let's face it, no one stops growth in BZ or any other place on the planet that people want to live.

Every resident of Ambergris Caye should pay a fish tax so that fishing and diving are protected  

The money could be sent to Belmopan where astute bureaucrats would create a plan and implement policy on how best to save the declining fish population as well as create revenue for a few, to the detriment of the populace and tourist alike
 

[azbob]

Great idea clover.  I think it would work! 

[JZB]

I do not believe it is one or the other.  Fishing and diving CAN co exist but I think we will not notice a substation change towards 'responsible fishing' until this new generation grows up and takes over the family business.  The younger generation will be more environmentally aware through their own experiences and even through mediums such as television or class room education.  Hopefully they will, through their own volition, throw back undersized fish or only take what is needed.

I have heard that spiel too 'I'm Belizean I can do what I want' more times than I want to count.  There is a part of me that can understand where they are coming from although I absolutely HATE that phrase.  Imagine that within a couple decades your home is overrun by 10,000 foreigners and they are all of a sudden telling you how to live and work.  I would also probably be a tad resentful and try to protect my way of life is it has always been.