Thursday, March 22, 2001

Fishermen outraged by bill

The current legislative outrage among sportsmen seems to be aimed at a proposed law that would require life jackets be worn by virtually everyone of any age whenever they're aboard a moving boat that is up to 25 feet, 11 and 1/2 inches in length.
   House Bill 3107 would apply to motorboats, paddle craft, sailboats and rubber rafts when paddled, oared, poled, windblown or drifting with the current.
   Where do these proposals come from?
   Texas Rep. Clyde Alexander of Athens authored this one. Contact him at (512) 463-0730 or by e-mail: clyde.alexander@house.state.tx.us. Or better yet, contact the state representative for your area. I've listed them again at the end of this column.
   Current rules require a Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device for each passenger to be within easy reach. Those 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket when aboard a Class One or Class A vessel.
   A Class A boat is less than 16 feet in length. A Class One boat is defined as a vessel that is between 16 feet and less than 26 feet in length.
   As far as I can tell, the only people who favor this proposed rule change are life jacket manufacturers.
  
   Other movement on bills
   On another note, there is news developing on other proposed legislation since I last wrote about it. The so-called PETA Bill, or a similar proposal to lessen the legal standard required in animal cruelty cases, could provide for an exemption for hunters, anglers and trappers. That's good news.
   And a rider that would allow money from the Sportsman Fund and park fund to help build a birding center in the Rio Grande Valley now proposes to take a little less money. The amount has been reduced from $1.5 million annually for two years from each fund to $750,000 annually for the next two years from each fund.
   It's still not right.
  
   Sea banquet
   Comparisons between the Coastal Conservation Association and the fledgling group, Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association, are unavoidable.
   I'm not above engaging in a little of this. But for now, it seems each organization is working toward worthwhile goals, some that differ and some that overlap. Nothing wrong with that, so long as the means and ends are honorable.
   In some cases, competition results in a winner and a loser. But even though a handful of local donors could be forced to chose one organization over the other, the likelihood is that charity dollars will be split between CCA and SEA.
   SEA's absolute focus on local projects has prompted donations from some non-traditional sources. What could be better than a bigger pie?
   Comparisons, no doubt, will continue next week, when SEA hosts its first-ever fund raising banquet March 29 at the Bayfront Convention Center. I'm sure some of you will attend just to see if the SEA bash can rival the traditional hoopla for which the CCA has become known.
   Yes, the girls selling raffle tickets will be there, just as you have come to expect at these banquets. I'm sure you won't hurt anyone's feelings if you go simply to satisfy your curiosity.
   A lot is riding on this event. At stake is the public's perception of SEA's clout and organizational skills. The banquet could set the tone for the group's future and set in motion a tradition of promises kept.
   SEA was formed by men and women unhappy with CCA's fiscal philosophy of using locally generated funds for faraway projects. They wanted their money to enhance local fisheries. This is SEA's fundamental objective, best asset and greatest recruitment tool.
   So where's the money going?
   Just last week, SEA leadership asked the guys at the CCA-CPL Marine Development Center about their greatest needs. The answer prompted the start of a list that is still growing. If you've seen the conditions of the Flour Bluff hatchery lately, you know what I'm talking about.
   Ruben Chavez, a biologist at the center, told them about an immediate need to dredge the channels that drain the facility's rearing ponds. These ditches haven't been cleared in 15 years. Biologists had been using hand tools each year to quicken the flow and increase redfish and trout productivity.
   But not anymore, thanks to SEA. This would have cost the hatchery about $15,000. Instead it cost them nothing.
   In addition to being a major proponent of reopening Packery Channel, SEA has adopted the hatchery as one of its priorities. SEA is looking to purchase an aeration system for the facility's ponds and fund repairs to several buildings at the complex.
   This is all intended to put more fish in local waters.
   A second immediate priority involves the reestablishment of near-shore reefs in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Artificial reefs were established years ago to enhance fish habitat by dumping old cars and discarded concrete. But the reefs have deteriorated.
   SEA hopes its efforts will reestablish a snapper fishery in state waters, within nine miles of the beach.
   I say we give SEA a chance to be different and to deliver on its promises.
   But don't look for many differences at the banquet. The same people who have brought us the CCA banquet for years have organized this dinner. Expect a live auction, silent auction, chalkboard auction, raffle, door prizes and a boat and ATV auction.
   For tickets, call 886-1100 or ask any SEA member. Anyone and everyone will be welcome, up to 1,200 ticket holders.
   I've heard that the food service could be more efficient than we've seen at other banquets. Food choices will include everything from shrimp and steak to quail and Mexican food.
   The event runs from 5:30 to 11 p.m.