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When exercising our right to vote in November (and I sincerely hope all Sport Fishing readers feel compelled to fulfill that privilege and responsibility), all of us have our own -- often very different -- reasons for voting as we do. No vote will have greater or broader consequence for the nation than the one each of us casts for president. No single person has as great a determination on the direction the United States takes, in most respects, as does the president. And that certainly includes national fisheries policy, which often affects regional/state policy as well.
At no time in our nation's history have our oceans and federal fisheries generated as much press and interest (vis-à-vis two massive studies per Pew and presidential commissions) or as much reason for concern globally and nationally (vis-à-vis pervasive reports of declining marine resources worldwide, thanks to overfishing, pollution/habitat destruction and other factors).
For all of us who love to fish salt water, if there were ever an election to consider how a candidate for the presidency views issues related to fish and fishing, this is the one. The next few years could find us on the brink of turning around at least some of the management and conservation issues bedeviling our coastal waters -- or seeing a continuing slide in national and international marine resources and habitat from which recovery may be nearly impossible. Inevitably, some respond to concerns over crises in management and fish stocks by labeling that so much "doom-and-gloom talk." But it's reality, and we'd damn well better deal with it.
One way for us to deal with it is to vote for the candidate most likely to do the same, i.e., to deal with it.
Historically, it has often been difficult to sort out how major candidates for president stand on an issue as specific as marine conservation. Seldom were they asked, and they were hardly likely to include the issue as something to be widely addressed while out on the stump.
This year, both
George W. Bush and
John Kerry were asked -- by
Sport Fishing magazine.
In that respect, this presidential election marks a historic first, as far as I know, with both candidates questioned specifically about this issue and both responding. The questions were simple and direct:
Why should saltwater sport fishermen vote for George W. Bush? and
Why should saltwater sport fishermen vote for John Kerry? Beyond posing the question to high-level staffers in each campaign, I had no other communication. I requested that both candidates limit their statements to 500 words. Both did (in fact, taking full advantage in a way suggesting careful crafting, with both statements coming in at just over 490 words).
Now it's up to you, thousands of Sport Fishing readers across the United States, to scrutinize
both statements, and consider who would be the man more likely to commit funds and effort toward restoration and enhancement of our oceans' fisheries.
Consider what each man says, as well as what he does not say. And consider as well the actual record of each candidate on these issues. Granted, each of us will vote per many issues and not on fisheries matters alone.
But if you love blue water, bays and flats, and love the sport these waters provide, I hope you'll also make sure that's reflected in your decision in the waning weeks of Campaign 2004.
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