There is a new petition going around to try and get congress to write and pass a bill to
end long-line fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. I know this is a long shot, but any pressure we can put on Congress may help. Wording in extended ...
Why does Long line fishing need to be stoped you may ask? Long-line fishing is when fishing trollers place fishing lines in the water sometimes up to 80 miles long and containing 10,000 hooks each, with many lines per boat and troll the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and other waters. Not only does it lead to an over harvest of fish, but it is just as indiscriminate as netting fish, with much by-catch. The hooks near the surface of the water also pose a dire threat to see birds and marine mammals who commonly get snared on the hooks.
The petition states:
To: US Congress
PETITION TO REMOVE LONG LINE & TRAWLERS FROM
THE GULF OF MEXICO
The undersigned on this petition hereby state in support that:
In as the Gulf of Mexico has been declared a special environmental habitat, we request the US House of Representatives and/or the US Senate sponsor and pass a bill that declare that the Gulf of Mexico is a special ecological area with unique habitat and characteristics. When indiscriminate untended commercial fishing gear is allowed to operate within its boundaries, the Magnusson/Stevens Act's mandate of sustainable fishery can not be met.
The destruction of habitat and excessive by-catch associated with long line and trawling gear is incompatible with the Gulf of Mexico's unique habitat. We respectfully request that the use of any gear not fully tended by an angler or crew, to include the use of long line and trawling gear be banned from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Sincerely,
The Undersigned