KRISTIN fishing
04-22-96
By ALLEN
Capital News Service
LANSING--Avid anglers, it's about that time.
Bait those hooks, cast those lines, reel in those big ones and get
ready for the most peaceful fishing season in northern Michigan history.
Peaceful, because this week -- the eve of the state's trout season
opener -- lawmakers took measures to protect fishermen from harassment and
stop people from destroying what many call the great Michigan past time.
The proposed Michigan Fisherman's Rights Act would protect
recreational and commercial fishermen in ways similar to the hunter
harassment law passed last year.
Specifically, it would prohibit a person from obstructing or
interfering with anglers by throwing rocks in the water near fishing lines
or speeding by in boats. Violators would be punishable by a $500 to $1,000
fine and up to 90 days in jail.
The urgency of the proposed law is in response to plans by People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to launch a nationwide anti-fishing
campaign.
"It is shameful that some people would organize themselves to ruin
legitimate fishing tournaments and spoil the sport enjoyed by such a large
number of people," said Sen. R. Robert Geake, a Northville Republican
spearheading the proposal.
PETA, a non-profit organization founded in 1980 to protect all animal
rights, claims fish, like humans, feel pain. The group, with offices in
Washington, D.C., Germany and Great Britain, recently stopped General
Motors from using animals in crash tests after protesting at auto shows
across the country.
Michigan outdoor enthusiast and rock star Ted Nugent called PETA's
intentions an embarrassment and stressed the importance of fishing as an
educational tool.
"My kids are all good I and think it is based on the hours they spend
fishing and hunting," Nugent said. "If my kids couldn't go fishing, the
alternatives would be ugly."
The proposed act has gathered early bipartisan support from more than
half the Legislature.
Sen. George McManus, R-Traverse City, said he was pleased to see all
parts of the state involved in efforts to protect fishermen. "It's not just
a northern Michigan issue," he said.
McManus, a co-sponsor of the proposal, also stressed the important
dietary benefits of fish. "For many of us, fish is a very important food in the food chain,"
said McManus, patting his stomach. "It's available to us and there's no
reason not to use it."
Fishing in Michigan generates $2 billion in revenue each year --
nearly five times more revenue than deer hunting, Geake said.
He added that 2 million adult Michigan residents and 334,000 tourists
fish in Michigan every year and keeping fishing alive is part of the
Legislature's overall mission to protect the state's natu...