Rolly, your passion and input into this debauchery is both welcomed and admirable. I enjoyed the debate with you, Chris and Tom the other night, even if I was a little whacked and rambled off topic occasionally. Although I'm new to hali-fishing, I can feel the winds-of-change beginning to brew. I stand by my assertion that the legislation amendment approach should be the one we take here. The allocation formula - though well intended from the outset - is flawed and unfair and I'm in the camp that says we already pay dearly - by way of capital expenditure for boats, gas, tackle, licences, BEER - for the great privilege to fish.
Why the hell should we bend-over and pay more? Soon, if the cost to fish continues to escalate, more and more of us will get out of it and one day our Grandchildren or Great Grandchildren won't enjoy the same opportunities as we do and have done because DFO really doesn't give a flyin' fug about us or Wild Fish; they've proven it time and time again. Government would be just as happy to turn protein production completely over to the Norwegian fish farmers as they don't have to manage, or conserve, or regulate, or restore anything. The process started way back when they sat on their collective-asses while corporate logging giants ran whilly-nilly over our salmon habitat, then carried on with the decimation of the industry with the famous 'boat-buy-back' back in the 90's that put 1500 or so commies on the rocks and sent the way of life of how many families into the history books? Moreover, with us out of their way they wouldn't have to be accountable to the likes of us who really do care about the WILD resource and really do understand its immense value to all peoples and critters that live here.
I'm with Holmes on this one Rolly. WE SHOULD DRAW THE LINE HERE AND MAKE OUR STAND!
Our kids and grand kids will see, then learn from, and follow in our example that we set here.
In closing, I humbly remind us all that this is not the place to discuss strategy - trust me, other eyes are always upon us here - so, not only do we all need to be careful what we write here, we need to arrange a meeting to make a plan that will produce results rather than lip-service. Let's get as many of us South Island boys on board as possible so we can chuck the proverbial boulder into the pond and get the ripple-effect happening clear across the country!
I'd be happy to see Chris Bos or Alcock or the likes to head up this meeting and I'd be there WITH BELLS ON!