tacorajim
2009-02-11 01:11:08
May I interrupt momentarily to salute Jon Daniels for providing us with this forum?
We are about to welcome his 300th member. What can I say but thanks. What can you say?
Carol W
2009-02-12 16:04:04
Thanks to Jon although the sad thing is if the growth on this site continues membership here will soon eclipse ATA and definately will eclipse the group of guys who donate time and energy to the protection of our livelihood. Once again I urge folks to get themselves to the board of fish next week in Sitka the people I have spoke with have said this board in their naivtivity are a real threat to our livelihood, I know people are busy and money is tight however it is a case of how can you afford to not be there to protect your interest.
Salty
2009-02-12 19:15:23
I spent an hour on the phone visiting with a young troller/handtroller last night and during our discussion of the future of trolling and some boats I encouraged him to come testify at the BOF. He lives here in Sitka. At the end of the conversation he told me he would come say a few words. I spent a good part of yesterday trying to convince another young leader that he should take time to testify. He said he would but since tanner crabbing opens on the 15th he is likely to not be available.
I have shared my comments on the proposals and discussed the merits of several of them on this forum in a humble effort to give people something to rail against if nothing else. Someone accused me of "tipping my hand" the other day. This person, who has been involved in fisheries politics a long time has a totally different view of how things should work than I do. Some people view it as a contest, a game, a win/lose situation. Polarizing the issues, the debate, thinking in terms of win/lose, compromise, etc. is not where I am at.
My experience is to never use the word compromise because a very smart fisherman/facilitator leader told me a long time ago that "compromise" con notates shared pain. What we are trying to accomplish through the political and group processes is shared gain. What we are trying to figure out is how to work together for mutual benefit. What we want to do is collaborate instead of compete. Toward that end it helps if everyone shows their cards. It also helps if someone takes the lead and shows theirs first. The skilled "players" will be very careful about when they show theirs but if the political dynamic favors collaboration then it often favors those most willing to engage. If the BOF has any sense then it will reward those most willing to work things out before the Board has to decide. The best I ever heard it expressed was by former BOF chair Dr. White who told a group of us once.
"Figure it out, cut your deal, because if you don't figure it out;
'The seven dark angels (the Board of Fisheries) will swoop in and decide it.'"
Implied was that what they decided would not be as good for any of us as what we could figure out ourselves.
So, I am laying my cards out for better or for worse. ATA has their cards (positions) posted here for anyone to check out. The ADF&G staff has posted their comments on the proposals.
I wish there was somewhere to check out the seine, gillnet, and guides positions.
Finally, I really appreciate the call from the troller today, while I was typing this post, who wanted a bit of information on how he could effectively testify at the BOF. I hope I was helpful. His encouragement and appreciation of all of us sharing our ideas and the history on this forum was heartwarming. Thank you!
tacorajim
2009-02-13 01:13:26
My post entitled “Membership” offers Jon praise, and solicits comments on the site, its growth, nothing to do with another well-used topic on LOCAL Fisheries Politics. Okay?
Salty
2009-02-13 01:29:04
Genuinely sorry about that. Sometimes the typewriter gets going and I forget which thread I am on.
I suspect if use to share, bs, or whatever indicates appreciation then I should be more appreciative of Jon sharing his ability to set this up and maintain it for us more than anyone. Thanks Jon.
JYDPDX
2009-02-13 01:55:29
Thanks again Jon for getting this thing going. It is the most awesome place on the web. And thanks to everyone for contributing. It was not that long ago when we were only about 3 members. To be reaching 300 is a great milestone. Kudos brother.
tacorajim
2009-02-13 04:32:09
I suspect if use to share, bs, or whatever indicates appreciation then I should be more appreciative of Jon sharing his ability to set this up and maintain it for us more than anyone. Thanks Jon.
Huh?
Carol W
2009-02-13 16:15:11
I do want to say thanks to Jon and appologize to Jim this site is a great forum and I think it helps the fleet to connect and regain some of the sense of community we lost with the advent of cellphones. Again thanks Jon.
carojae
2009-02-13 16:59:53
I appreciate this forum - I am glad I found it while googling easthope gurdies and trying to find a valve for it.
Thanks Jon, good job.
F/V Carina
2009-02-14 03:20:16
Jon has done us all a great service by providing the CSTF. Thanks very much Jon!
mswkickdrum
2009-02-14 05:32:50
Jon,
Seriously, thanks so much for making the site. It has been very helpful to me in
getting some info and making some connections to get started. It may not
be obvious yet but in time (year or two?) the importance of this site to
trollers, and maybe other gear groups, will become apparent. I can only
imagine how many visitors there are that swing through getting info that
no one knows about. Great job Jon!
MSW
yak2you2
2009-02-14 14:07:13
Aye, it must be very rewarding to stand back and watch something you built become such a huge success. Three cheers for Jon, and all who have supported him in his efforts. Keep up the good work.
Wow, I may need to visit a shrink to deal with my inflated ego after all that praise ;D Thank you!
I'm glad people find the site useful and that so many fisherfolk have chosen to share their hard-earned wisdom.
Here's to many more years of being able to fish and share the bounty of our planet!
Cheers,
Jon