Treat the food fishery with respect so as to preserve it for the future
Dear Editor:
On Aug. 13, an article published in The Shoreline about Ralph Coombs drew my attention to a big problem in this province with the food fishery.
Mr. Coombs was filleting a cod and utilizing the entire fish with nothing wasted. He could have been talking about me, even using compost to enrich the soil where he grew his own vegetables.
After I moved to CBS a few years ago because of health problems, I could no longer pursue the food fishery, but I would go to the waterfront to see the boats landing their catch.
I was appalled at the amount of fish thrown away – at least one third, what a terrible waste. I got many meals from the fish that was discarded.
People like me and Mr. Coombs would survive where others would not.
To the people out there who would criticize me and say it’s none of my business, on August 20, 2005, we went on a food fishery protest to try and get a food fishery for this province. I got charged, ended up in court for keeping two small fish, but it was worth it and for the last 25 years we have had a food fishery.
Myself, the late James Morgan, former provincial Fisheries Minister, Loyola Hearn, Fisheries Minister of Canada, and others put a lot of time and money fighting for the opening of the food or recreational fishery for this province and yes, it is one of the best recreations anyone could do which includes the entire family regardless of age.
Please, please look after it and treat it with respect so that this time we can make sure that it is there for future generations.
(Ret.) Capt. Wilfred Bartlett
CBS, NL