August 3, 2014 — NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has received a petition to ban both recreational and commercial fishing for Pacific tuna, and some recent reports say that the federal agency is actually considering the enactment of the ban, which is of consternation to all saltwater anglers.
The petition was filed by The Center of Biological Diversity, an animal-rights group that has supported no-fishing areas in marine sanctuaries, pushed for bans on lead fishing-tackle components and is currently pushing for a ban on traditional lead ammunition for hunting. Among the center's latest attack on sportsmen is its petition to ban Pacific tuna fishing and another proposal for a 10-knot speed limit on marine sanctuaries. You get the picture.
It's my opinion that NOAA should pay the extremists no mind and swat them away like an annoying mosquito; however, the agency is entertaining the ban on Pacific tuna fishing and is accepting public comments.
Read the full opinion piece at the New Bedford Standard-Times