Conserve or Sustain

I am only a simple fisherman, no great sailor, no outward bound, leave the land behind voyages, just lobster pot hugging along the shore, working from a small, passed its prime boat, and rarely late home for tea. But fishermen come in all sizes and many guises; you have your, "Netter's," gill and drift, your, "Longliners," your "Handliners," "Lobster, Crab and Whelk potters," "Mussel picker's and Oystermen," even"Trawlermen," though they are a breed apart; in all a very varied species, each trying to survive by doing what he thinks is best. For some it is a business, others just a job, but for many it's away of life with it's own kind of rewards.

Apart from the pub time talk of great catches and missed chances, there is a change blowing in on the cold, chill wind and no fisherman shall be untouched by it's arrival, it's time to batten down and prepare for the blow. The question is, conserve or sustain?

Conservation is marvellous, but not for the faint hearted; regardless of what you may hear, fishermen will have to change or die, some may tie up and go ashore forever. Because, conservation implies, "No Take Zones," where areas of coastline are closed off from all fishing activity, including Mr Hopeless, weekend beachcaster with his shiny new gear, thermos and empty bucket. Or possibly, "Marine Protected Zones," where a certain amount of fishing activity is allowed but under tighter administration, all this being designed to reinstate the flourishing garden wilderness, that we believe are shores once were.

Or sustainable fishing?
For a fishery to be sustainable it must be financially viable, which means it's in the fishermans own long term interest to manage the fish stocks in such a way that he can catch today but leave enough for tomorrow. A financially viable fishery is a greater asset to the community as a whole.

Fishing methods can be, "Destructive," such as, "Beam trawling," which acts as a plough on the seabed and can be very damaging. Or, "Selective," such as, "Long lining," where usually only targeted fish are caught. Other fishing methods have their advocates and their opposers; Gill netter's target certain species, though they have been known to foul the occasional small Cetacean. Nobody can deny that things have to change, if we want a fishery in the future we have to do something now, but I fear it is the scent of a wounded industry that has the baying hounds of conservation chasing down the limping fisherman.

The best way for all of us to celebrate our fishing heritage, is not by being over sentimental about its past, but by insuring it has a future.