The Potomac Highlands Watershed School 

Stream Cleaner Environmental Forum 2006

Points of View & Thoughtful Questions - Commercial Fishermen

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KJPC

Moore- 2nd Block, Hampshire High

Thursday, April 13, 2006

We the fishermen treasure the Chesapeake Bay because it is home to our main source of income. by fishing, we pay our taxes, put food on the table, and provide shelter for our families. Not only do we provide for our families, we provide for the people. We supply the fish in supermarkets and restaurants. Without fishermen, local restaurants and super would have to get fish shipped and raise prices, sacrificing the freshness of the Chesapeake Bay fish. The overabundance of nutrients and silt causes a decrease in fish population--causing a decrease in production and sales. Fishing is our only job and our life, so the bay needs help. Possible solutions such as tree, grass, and sediment pond buffers don't really affect us greatly, only that there is a chance to save and nurse the bay back to health. To help pay for these buffers, we could raise the prices of fish to collect a greater profit. Also, we could lower prices to other stakeholders so that they will help pay for solutions, since they need the buffers as well.  Chelsea, Josh, Paul, and Chad


Thoughtful Questions

From: Trout Slayer

Great POV! Everything seems to be correct, but I believe that the "income" statements are slightly exaggerated. Fish are fun to catch and do make a great meal, but most people are more concerned with water being suitable for the fish to live in their natural habitats than they are with you all trying to keep a steady income. I do not agree with your income statements because I believe that you all are hurting the fish just as much as pollution is. I believe this because you all are depleting the supply of the fish just as pollution is!


KJPC- FINAL POV

Friday, April 28, 2006

We the fishermen treasure the Chesapeake Bay because it is home to our main source of income. By fishing, we pay our taxes, put food on the table, and provide shelter for our families. Not only do we provide for our families, we provide for the people. We supply the fish in supermarkets and restaurants. Without fishermen, local restaurants and super would have to get fish shipped and raise prices, sacrificing the freshness of the Chesapeake Bay fish. The overabundance of nutrients and silt causes a decrease in fish population--causing a decrease in production and sales. Fishing is our only job and our life, so the bay needs help. Possible solutions are tree, grass, and sediment pond buffers that stop nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, providing a chance to save and nurse the bay back to health. Other possible solutions are stopping nitrogen and phosphorus at the source. According to research performed by Neil Gillies, nitrate levels are at their highest at farm feedlots. Nitrate on feedlots comes from animal waste. This nitrate runs off into local streams, which are tributaries to larger rivers that empty out into the Chesapeake Bay. Maybe farmers should consider asking for grant money to put up concrete barriers. We could raise the prices of fish to collect a greater profit for any finances. We could also lower prices of fish to other stakeholders to help pay for these. To help clean and purify the Chesapeake Bay, we need to get together and work as a team.

 

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Bass Masters

Mr. Moore- first Block Environmental Science , HHS

Thursday, April 13, 2006

The problem for commercial fisherman is the contamination of fish and mollusks in the Chesapeake Bay area. White Perch a fish that has been contaminated is a highly popular fish to be consumed, and people eating this fish in mass quantities are subject to biological magnification. What we can do is to limit our introduction of PCB’s in the environment. Around the house we can limit electrical use, recycle, and reduce the runoff from you property. On the road we can drive efficiently and dispose of used motor oil and antifreeze. properly, and for those on the water, they can maintain their engines to prevent fuel spills. The people on the water should maintain their engine because a fuel spill can kill fish and for commercial boaters who are paid to take people out to fish, if the fish are dead, non one will pay them to take them out to fish. This also affects fisherman because no fish means no money.


Thoughtful Questions

From: FCB

We have read your POV and find that you have some excellent points. However, we have some questions for you. When you say that people should limit electrical use around the home, is this because you believe that coal-fired power plants empty pollutants into rivers, and that if we use excessive amounts of electricity the plants pour more pollution in rivers? Also, what did you mean when you said we should drive efficiently on the road and how would this help clean-up the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem?

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