Because I am editor-in-chief of a major Virginia political blog, Blue Commonwealth, I get lots into my inbox, from candidates, campaigns, office holders and the like. Most I glance at, but nothing more. Every now and then one gets something that catches your attention.
Today was such a day. Al Pollard is the Delegate from the 99th House District, which covers a number of communities where people make their living as watermen, working as commercial fishermen on the waters of the Chesapeake. He has found a creative use of technology to help them.
Please continue below the fold and read the press release on this interesting service. For reference, the VMRC referred to in the news release is the Virginia Marine Resources Center.
Thanks
POLLARD ANNOUNCES TEXT MESSAGE SERVICE FOR WATERMEN
Text Messaging Notice of New Fishing Regulations Believed to be First in the Nation.
NEWPORT NEWS – Delegate Albert C. Pollard, Jr. (D-99th) recently unveiled a new service for commercial watermen, allowing them to receive text message alerts on changes to fishing regulations and notice of public comment periods from VMRC. The service of texting notice of regulatory changes is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.
"Technology has changed, and with it my office needs to change the way we relay information," said Pollard. "While VMRC does a good job posting information on their website, watermen are is not sitting in front of their computer. And when the regulators and the regulated aren’t communicating, it means more work for everybody."
Individuals can sign up for Watermen Updates at Delegate Pollard’s website, www.albertpollard.org. Delegate Pollard’s staff will monitor VMRC’s and Potomac Rivers Fisheries Commission’s websites weekly and send a text message to advise of upcoming changes to fisheries regulations. The service will not track federal fisheries regulations.
"As this is a free service operated out of a one person office, we may miss something - although we don’t think we will," Pollard continued. "But, certainly, this service will improve the flow of information. Not every waterman has e-mail, but every fisherman has a cell phone and, as kids have taught us, texting can actually be a practical means of communication."
Delegate Pollard noted that the service is merely a condensed version of a regulatory change or public notice, and not the full content.
A typical example might be from the April meeting when hand tong harvesting was extended in the James River Seed Area (including Deep Water Shoal, James River Jail Island and Point of Shoals Clean Cull Area) through June 30, 2009. The text would read, "James River seed area hand tonging extended through June 30, 2009. www.mrc.state.va.us for details".
Delegate Pollard represents Virginia’s 99th district, which is comprised of Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, King George and a portion of Caroline Counties. You may reach Delegate Pollard and his staff by calling phone number eliminated for this posting. You may visit his website for additional contact information, www.albertpollard.com.