[cdavis]

ummm, interesting thread and websites. Somebody please educate me a little.

From what I read on these sites, the writers are a bit "holier than thou" but what they are proposing seems like an excellent idea. In a coral reef system, , with long lived, often resident fish populations, a system of alternating open and closed areas is a good, and maybe the only, effective way to manage those populations. In the long run, it benefits everybody, spearos, fishermen and sightseers. Its hard to do because nobody wants to get shut out of their favorite spot and everybody is paranoid, but it should work very well for everybody, much better than no action or traditional regulations that usually don't work. Imagine opening day and the reef is full of big grouper like you haven't seen in years. Think about it.

I'm a veteran of the fish wars in Florida and recognize that there are often hidden agendas, especially from those that sound so self righteous, ten times more so when the regs they propose would be immediately and greatly to their benefit. Never the less, what is so wrong with the basic idea proposed in this website?

Thanks

Connor