from KeepAmericaFishing.org
On May 14, 2013, the resolve to study the effects of soft-baits and biodegradable hooks in the state of Maine became law, ordering the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to study the effects of soft-baits and non-degradable hooks on fish and other wildlife in the state. The results of the study will be reported to the Committee on January 28th.
KeepAmericaFishing is asking fishermen to attend the committee meeting to express their concerns about this potential ban on soft baits. Legislators need to know that Maine’s citizens have serious concerns about this issue.
When: Tuesday, January 28, 2:00 PM
Where: Room 206, Cross State Office Building (beside the State House) Augusta, Maine.
More Information: KeepAmericaFishing
BACKGROUND:
On January 17th, 2013 state Representative Paul Davis introduced bills H.P.37/L.D.42 and H.P.38/L.D.43, legislation that would ban the use of all “rubber” lures and another bill to ban all non-degradable fishing hooks. The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife held a public meeting in the beginning of February regarding both bills. During this first public meeting, three individuals spoke in favor of the soft baits ban while the remaining speakers spoke for almost three hours against the bill. It was brought to the Committee’s attention that one problem with soft baits was that anglers were tossing their used baits overboard, creating a littler problem. One observation was that during a 200 yard stretch of lake-bottom there would be a dozen or so baits. Another observation was that fish have been known to swallow these soft baits and when anglers were cutting their caught fish open they would see them throughout the fish.
KeepAmericaFishing™ is not aware of any study in the wild showing detrimental impact on fish populations. In fact we know from years of laboratory tests on soft baits that most fish regurgitate or pass these baits without harm.
As for the non-degradable hooks issue, some hooks used in sportfishing are manufactured from stainless steel. Under current manufacturing technology carbon steel hooks corrode and degrade within several months of being submerged in a lake or stream. The bill’s mandate would not only create a burden for anglers who would have to replace their fishing equipment, but would also be technologically impractical for manufacturers to accomplish.
Maine has a rich history with angling and the sport has significant economic impacts to the state. Anglers in Maine provide a $614,401,455 economic infusion to the state each year supporting 6,723 Maine jobs. This economic engine from recreational fishing in Maine also provides $42.8 million in state and local tax revenue. Forty-four percent of Maine’s angling days are done by non-resident anglers, and this ban would affect not only bait and tackle shops but also all tourism businesses. Banning either soft-baits or non-degradable hooks would negatively affect both state and local economies, as well as the tourism that fishing brings to Maine.
I’m wondering if YUM our SINKO can make a plastic that breaks down
Don’t be like your NH and lose a bait like our jig.
Maine is becoming as ridiculous on fishing regs as Connecticut is becoming on gun laws. If they pass this ban on soft plastics and hooks lets see how much they like lost revenue from fishing licenses and fishing trips to Maine. Hotels and motels will loose along with the purchase of equipment from tackle shops and sporting goods stores. Charter captains and guides will also loose business, Every time one do-gooder gets an idea to save the world thousands suffer from it unjustly.
Really !!!!!!! It does not surprise me Maine would pass this law. I’ve live in this state for 54 years and spent a lot of time fishing. From commercial fishing regulations to recreational fishing. You people that want to implement these laws are so one sided. For example the new circle hook law is a complete joke !!!!!!!!!!!!! Catching more than 300 plus stripers a summer I’ve never seen so many fish bleed roll over and die. So a ban on plastics doesn’t surprise me at all. Seriously considering strictly fishing another state. And they can have my 10 grand I spend on everything associated with a day on the water.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A classic self-serving political move. Create an imaginary problem, and solution.
we need to leave the only sport we have that we all cant do not just the chosen one like foot ball and baseball and basketball. If we take this sport away from our younger people they will be doing drugs and we are trying to stop that so stop taking the free sport away from us you make us get a license. And that keep going up ever year when will it all stop when we cant afford it any more that all i have too say too you in the state house?????????
The funny thing to me is the action on the part of “Keep America Fishing” as quoted,
“KeepAmericaFishing is asking fishermen to attend the committee meeting to express their concerns about this potential ban on soft baits. Legislators need to know that Maine’s citizens have serious concerns about this issue.”
If in fact it was determined conclusively that the degradation of soft lures and hooks was having a negative effect on the water and consequently the ecosystem, then logic would say that someone who enjoys fishing would be on the side of preserving that same water and ecosystem. But, of course the organization is implying that an angler has a due diligence to fight against a law that would stop harmful materials from affecting fisheries. Paradoxical, but of course since big money is involved via manufacturers of lures (remember….the bass fishing industry is 2+billion dollars annually) then you have such motions being made.
I am passionate about my fishing. It is more than a hobby and for many years I have spent a great deal of time on the water. However, I do not put my recreational enjoyment above the health and future well being of the environment. If such a law was passed it stands to reason other states might follow suit. Rather than being upset I see this an a great opportunity for soft lure manufacturers to formulate new materials that are biodegradable and inert to a freshwater ecosystem once broken down. I suspect such a material(s) already exists, but is not fiscally agreeable to the manufacturers.
Spot on Carl K. I completely agree with you. I’ve seen many bass and even lake trout in upstate NY with their guts filled with soft plastics. I do agree that fish can pass some smaller plastics without harm but most used plastics are indeed harmful to most game species. I would be happy to see the soft plastics companies forced to develop a new and improved product.
OK…allow me to point out a contradiction here.
1) You are finding fish with soft plastics in their guts.
2) So, you are first killing the fish to determine that there is plastic in their guts.
So which is more detrimental to that fish – the fact that it has plastic in its gut, or the fact that you killed the fish?
I would contend that the fishermen who primarily practice catch-and-release using plastic baits are creating less impact than the fishermen who catch-and-eat.
I’m not against catch-and-eat…I do it myself sometimes. But if you catch and eat a fish that happens to have plastic in its gut, it’s in some sense a bonus fish. That is, it was caught, or almost caught, by another fisherman who either enjoyed that catch-and-release, or who missed catching that fish that he may have eaten.
I guess my point is…what’s the problem?