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04/01/11 Politically Incorrect
April 2011
Sport Fishing Magazine
FOR THE RECORD
Politically Incorrect
By Tred Barta
Supposedly, the United States of America is finally evaluating to what extent different government agencies are acting efficiently and effectively, and how the federal government is spending our money. We the people welcome this before we hit I 7? $20 trillion in debt and a $50 billion deficit. To that end, I suggest a place to cut back: National Marine Fisheries Service is totally bloated and completely incompetent at handling its task. I recently returned from the big island of Hawaii, where we shot two TV shows. The people of Hawaii are kind, sincere and gracious, and I was amazed to see how the Hawaiian culture revolves around the sea. But when it comes to fish, generally in Hawaii, almost everything that bites a hook and dies is eaten.
After five days of hard fishing, we caught our targeted species a shortbill spearfish. While I was fishing, a lunch of fresh fish was served on board. I was positive it was ono (wahoo). It was delicious. The crew laughed because I was eating fresh spearfish. This is not a scolding; it's a fact. Marlin, spearfish, tuna and dolphin are for sale in Hawaii not only on restaurant menus, but by vendors at post offices and on street corners.
We released our spearfish, estimated at 55 to 60 pounds. My first reaction to the sale of billfish was very negative. But the more I thought of it, the more I
became enraged at National Marine Fisheries. The United States of America imports and sells more billfish than any other country in the world. I'm required torig my dead baits with circle hooks in my charity tournaments, yet the laws in the Pacific make the killing of billfish legal. Now that I have come to know the true intertwining of the Hawaiian people and the ocean, and recognize clearly the hypocrisy and inconsistent bureaucracy of NMFS, who am Ito criticize the Hawaiian fleet including Hawaiian locals in small boats?
Sport Fishing Magazine
FOR THE RECORD
Politically Incorrect
By Tred Barta
Supposedly, the United States of America is finally evaluating to what extent different government agencies are acting efficiently and effectively, and how the federal government is spending our money. We the people welcome this before we hit I 7? $20 trillion in debt and a $50 billion deficit. To that end, I suggest a place to cut back: National Marine Fisheries Service is totally bloated and completely incompetent at handling its task. I recently returned from the big island of Hawaii, where we shot two TV shows. The people of Hawaii are kind, sincere and gracious, and I was amazed to see how the Hawaiian culture revolves around the sea. But when it comes to fish, generally in Hawaii, almost everything that bites a hook and dies is eaten.
After five days of hard fishing, we caught our targeted species a shortbill spearfish. While I was fishing, a lunch of fresh fish was served on board. I was positive it was ono (wahoo). It was delicious. The crew laughed because I was eating fresh spearfish. This is not a scolding; it's a fact. Marlin, spearfish, tuna and dolphin are for sale in Hawaii not only on restaurant menus, but by vendors at post offices and on street corners.
We released our spearfish, estimated at 55 to 60 pounds. My first reaction to the sale of billfish was very negative. But the more I thought of it, the more I
became enraged at National Marine Fisheries. The United States of America imports and sells more billfish than any other country in the world. I'm required torig my dead baits with circle hooks in my charity tournaments, yet the laws in the Pacific make the killing of billfish legal. Now that I have come to know the true intertwining of the Hawaiian people and the ocean, and recognize clearly the hypocrisy and inconsistent bureaucracy of NMFS, who am Ito criticize the Hawaiian fleet including Hawaiian locals in small boats?
While in Hilo, we were blown out one day and spent several hours at a local park. In Hawaii, family is everything. I watched 22 extended-family members fishing together. Everything they caught eight different species they put in the cooler. They said that evening they would have a luau and eat every morsel of every fish. What's wrong with this picture? Absolutely nothing.
Here's where I do have a problem. In the U.S. Atlantic's waters, you may kill marlin, but not to sell. It's illegal to sell them in restaurants, but you can kill them for a $1 million in Calcutta money. The fishing public may use J hooks on baits and lures, but only outside of tournaments. Okay, now I'm pissed off and confused.
I believe that NMFS should be dismantled, the crooks there prosecuted, and the goals of NMFS which so far have been severely slanted toward the commercial fisheries be figured out so there is some justice serving the American angling public.
I will continue to release billfish, because in my heart I know it's the right thing to do. But I must be honest: I would love to kill, fillet, smoke and eat one on special occasions too.
I want to thank the Hawaiian people for their kindness and grace in opening my eyes to the real relationship of their people and natural surroundings. Who says a blue marlin is any more important than grunts, yellowtail or eel? Perhaps Hawaii, especially the big island, is more honest about billfish conservation than anyone. I can tell you one thing: Hardly a morsel of fish is ever wasted in the great Pacific fishing grounds in the shadow of the volcano.
In my condition, very little scares me anymore, and certainly not NOAA and its fisheries wonks. It's quite clear to me that NOAA is perhaps the single greatest enemy of sport fishermen and the bosom buddy of commercial fishermen. That's the way I see it, and that's the way I roll. Aloha.
Till next tide,
Capt. Tred Barta
Here's where I do have a problem. In the U.S. Atlantic's waters, you may kill marlin, but not to sell. It's illegal to sell them in restaurants, but you can kill them for a $1 million in Calcutta money. The fishing public may use J hooks on baits and lures, but only outside of tournaments. Okay, now I'm pissed off and confused.
I believe that NMFS should be dismantled, the crooks there prosecuted, and the goals of NMFS which so far have been severely slanted toward the commercial fisheries be figured out so there is some justice serving the American angling public.
I will continue to release billfish, because in my heart I know it's the right thing to do. But I must be honest: I would love to kill, fillet, smoke and eat one on special occasions too.
I want to thank the Hawaiian people for their kindness and grace in opening my eyes to the real relationship of their people and natural surroundings. Who says a blue marlin is any more important than grunts, yellowtail or eel? Perhaps Hawaii, especially the big island, is more honest about billfish conservation than anyone. I can tell you one thing: Hardly a morsel of fish is ever wasted in the great Pacific fishing grounds in the shadow of the volcano.
In my condition, very little scares me anymore, and certainly not NOAA and its fisheries wonks. It's quite clear to me that NOAA is perhaps the single greatest enemy of sport fishermen and the bosom buddy of commercial fishermen. That's the way I see it, and that's the way I roll. Aloha.
Till next tide,
Capt. Tred Barta
