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For those who may not have seen/taken this survey...
The following link is to a survey from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, which contains questions about access and species preferences related to your Alabama fishing experiences from last year.
http://survey.dcnr.alabama.gov/TakeSurvey.aspx?
Sorry...the link seems to be faulty...if interested you may have to register on the DCNR website.
I got an email & took it. it was might slow on my computer, but I finished it.
FROM the MRD FB Page:
Thank you to all the people that attempted to respond to the Marine Fisheries Survey. Due to overwhelming response, and a few technical issues, the survey has not worked properly. Our IT personnel are attending to the issue and we will send out another email soon with a survey link that works! I appreciate your feedback on the survey and I hope you will accept my humble apology and retake the survey when it is functioning correctly. We value your responses.
They fixed the link...
http://survey.dcnr.alabama.gov/TakeS...veyID=n2K3m62#
FWIW I bent their ear about the 'shark problem' in the comments ;-)
I mentioned the sharks as well #'r, especially the negative effects on tourism regarding frustrated fisherman at the pier and familys swimming nearby
My feeling is that the danger to swimmers is not from the danged spinners and blacktips, but from the predators they draw in (tigers, hammerheads, etc.). That 12 foot Tiger that was hanging around last year was not feeding on Spanish Mackerel.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishingjunkie84
ME WANT TO CATCH SHARK!!! lol
Did the survey, I expressed my feelings about the red snapper shortage, and also about the shark shortage.
I wonder if they realize how much cash fishing(just pier and surf) brings in to the area a year.
Also who thinks a $25 shark tag would be acceptable? I think a tag system would suffice, they could report on amount of sharks caught, size, species etc...
I've been in AL since 1986, only have heard of one shark attack in 30 years and that was a bull shark. Swimmers are in more danger from rip currents, beer-induced stupidity, sting rays and sun burn than sharks.
I disagree on the shark tags, we already pay for the license and pier permits. But a daily limit of 1/person on the pier would be nice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
And lightning, cant't fergit lightning!
Good job on the survey fellers...maybe they listen a little
I dont see a danger either from sharks to swimmers, too rare of an occurance, but figured i'd throw it into the comments to give them something more to chew on, they are more likely to take action out of "public endangerment" than for the complaining of fisherman who bring in much needed revenue, just how government depts work, all about the image
As for a limit, alabama already has a 1 a day limit on sharks with certain species prohibited and size limits for the others, its just the laws against fishing for them from the pier and beaches that need changed, if its a concern over a bystander being bit during the landing of a shark, they could easly make it legal only at night when there are fewer sightseers on the pier and no swimming allowed from the beaches anyway, thus minimalizing the risk of bystander injuries
Completed the survey, and also added my 2 cents worth about the sharks.
I agree - the limits have been set, it's the opportunity to utilize them due to the beach/pier restrictions that is the true hurdle right now. As you mention, even a night-time harvest would probably have some impact.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishingjunkie84
The problem with shark fishing at the pier is that it would be very difficult to abide by the length restrictions and not kill the undersized fish. Imagine that you have a 4-foot shark that doesn't quite meet the length limit...I don't think you could get him up to the rail safely without a gaff in him (won't fit in a net easily), and releasing it afterwards would also be a nightmare. So how do you know that you have a legal shark without getting him up and putting a tape on him? Most of the sharks that I have hooked from the pier would not quite meet the legal length. I would not risk a fine on pulling one up if it was marginal.
Other than those logistics, I wouldn't mind the change. Plus, it would crank out a good bit of extra revenue at the pier during the night when traffic is low, I bet.
Precisely the issue I mentioned in my comments to MR.
The current shark regulations are 'draconian', leading to an underharvest and overabundance of several coastal species (specifically spinner & blacktip), which have put additional pressure on our finfish stocks.
IMHO the length limit on these species should be lowered and the catch ban lifted from Gulf State Park and Pier to help regulate their numbers in a fair balance in accordance with the ADCNR creedo to "promote wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources".
I mentioned the netboats and the sharks, asking for lifting the ban on one and creating a buffer zone for the pier for the nets. One good day on the pier for Spanish and it is surrounded by nets that night. After they are done, there's nothing left to catch but hungry sharks. I mentioned that Florida has neither shark problems nor nets on their piers. Flipper can be a pain, but they seem to get full eventually...unlike sharks....