| One issue is about protecting resources |
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Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 6:43 pm
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No matter our cosmetic differences, all of us should want for our grandchildren the same fishing fun that we enjoy.
A small group of Dakota activists is saying that as early as next summer they will fish with a net in Minneapolis’ Lake Harriet. They want to violate state law as a demonstration that brings attention to an 1805 treaty they say allows them to fish with nets.
An Ojibwe “fish off” demonstration on Lake Bemidji took place this spring to bring attention to an 1855 treaty. A net and fish were confiscated, but law violators were not immediately charged. Fishing with a net is a gross misdemeanor.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages fish populations, and that agency has several success stories that would suggest its practices work. A few years back, the walleye population was down in Lake Mille Lacs, so the DNR greatly tightened the slot limit. The very next year, the walleye population rebounded nicely and the slot limit was loosened. In another case, Red Lake’s walleye numbers were dismal until the DNR and tribal managers stepped in with a moratorium and an aggressive stocking plan and turned the lake into one of the most rewarding angling spots in the state.
The DNR wants the state’s fishing resource maintained for generations way into the future. Sportsmen’s groups and responsible outdoors people want that too. It would follow that activists — skin color and principle aside — would also want their kids, grandkids, great grandkids and generations to infinity to enjoy healthy fish populations.
Some have disputed the validity of the 1805 treaty. Folks who were to benefit from that treaty make an excellent case that they were treated unfairly. It needs to be acknowledged that they were indeed treated unfairly.
In the spirit of sharing the resource, and thinking ahead to grandkids of all skin color, it behooves everyone to support the management of fish populations with all proven tools available.
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