New York counties that border Lake Ontario and rely on tourism and sport fishing have just had their fears confirmed – after slow economic growth this summer– a new report shows that the sport fishing industry is in decline. The economy has something to do with that as well as a waning interest in fishing salmon, but also, the evil invasive species have played a role, according to researchers at Cornell.
The study, Lake Ontario Sportfishing: Trends, analysis and Outlook, predicts a further decline in future summers. New York’s sport fishery on Ontario accounts for 1,000 jobs and about $43 million in spending by tourists. One of the report’s authors, Nancy Connolly told the Post-Standard that even the perception of the presence of zebra mussels and other invasive species has kept fishermen away.
This is a clear cut example as to why the US Congress needs to deal with invasive species. We need a tough national ballast standard that is going to put an end to this scourge that is taking real jobs away from real people. Let’s hope we don’t have to go through another year without Congress taking this issue up and finishing the job.
Related posts:
- Invasive Species Wreaking Havoc on Lake Erie Fishery
- Invasive Species Destroying Great Lakes Fishery
- Coalition Turns up Heat on Congress to Confront Threat of Invasive Species
- Prevention is the Name of the Invasive Species Game, According to Sen. Carl Levin
- Threats – Aquatic Invasive Species
Dear Sirs, Reportedly, Rep Oberstar has agreed to address h.r.3619 with an amendment to address ballast dumping. The legislation purposed should be as strong, as legislation already passed, by the largest elected voice of the American people. (House of Representatives) As the politics involved with the last bill’s failure in the Senate, state rights, gas terminal protection, etc. have to still be addressed, and noticing the collage of new bills related to h.r.3619 it will be harder to pass. Ballast dumping is a problem that will affect all Americans equally, not just by state, as pathogens, virus and anything else mixed with water do not understand state laws. Urge Rep Oberstar to keep up his work by presenting a bill, for the Coast Guards mission, which is as strong, as what the elected members of the House have previously agreed upon. A bill with without goals and standards as strong as H.R.2830 would only be pandering compromise to those who wish to weaken the mission congress would be assigning to the Coast Guard. This would only be a ploy to foster less expense for shipping and procure a myriad of state laws and regulations impossible to enforce. It only takes one Senator from a state where oil transportation and consumer goods make up a large part of their economy to stop the passage of strong uniform protection for all Americans. As work on ballast legislation has not produced anything adequate for decades and change to legislation can often be impossible to achieve once new legislation is put in place, we need to do this right the first time, and not allow the continued destruction of our countries environment while leaving the American peoples health at risk. Strong legislation with strong goals will in the long run not only protect America, but will set precedent for the entire world and help protect mankind for many generations to come. To use a quote reportedly made by Rep Oberstar after h.r.2830’s demise, anything else would be “bullshit”.
Sincerely,
Don Mitchel