The Killing Current (1982)

George T. "Jook" Patrenos, Jr.

During my tenure at Southeastern Fisheries Association I have become intensely aware of an undercurrent which has ebbed and flowed throughout the southeastern United States for a number of years. This current is dangerous and is becoming stronger each year. Once it rages through an area it decimates everything in its path. The "Undercurrent" to which I am referring is, of course, the militancy of the sport fishing sector. Last year Texas was the target of their attack and consequently redfish and trout are no longer allowed as commercial fisheries in that state. The action was swift and behind closed doors, and many were left unemployed in the aftermath.

This year the undercurrent has been working its way through Alabama. Again, the goal was to totally eliminate net fishing and the strategy was guided by a group of Texans. Again, the tactics were the same--act with speed in the most unlikely of locations, in this case, a landlocked town of northern Alabama. Once more the aftermath would be mass unemployment through the shutting down of businesses dependent on net fishing.

Florida, too, has felt the threat this year. Those commercial net fishermen of South Florida faced the possibility of seeing their livelihoods snatched away through the legislative efforts of the powerful League of Anglers who sought to outlaw net fishing.

Unfortunately, the story is all to familiar to members of the commercial fishing industries along the Gulf. Virtually everyone has been affected in one way or another.

In past years we at SFA have attempted to stop the flow through means of compromise and cooperation. After all, the seas are filled with enough God-given resources for everyone and surely not intended for the pleasure-seeking idle rich. Our efforts, however, have been met with insolence and there has been no reciprocation. The time has come to realign our approach to this matter. The realities are that the numbers of sports fishermen adopting this militant attitude is increasing and they are backed by staunch monetary support. Their numbers far out-weigh ours. Therefore, if we are ultimately to win, we must rely on our organized strength and united purpose in maintaining the right to fish.

We have armed ourselves with the best of scientific data regarding the availability of the resources and have kept abreast of current fisheries management plans on local, state and national levels. Now, more than ever before, the job at hand is to increase our numbers and to make our voices heard by the public and by our legislative and congressional representatives. It is not the job of a few, but rather the undertaking of every responsible person who relates to the commercial fisheries industry or simply enjoys a good seafood meal. Remember, the restaurants, too, are dependent on the harvest of the Gulf.

The "Killing Current" can be stopped. The task won’t be easy nor will it be quickly accomplished, but we, as a proud and effective organization, must continue to strive toward this goal.