Dear Source:
I came into knowledge about gillnet fishing, and came to a conclusion that I am against it. In this letter I will give you my view about this unjust way of fishing. Gillnet fishing in my perspective is an unjust, cruel way of capturing fish. Not only are the fishes of the sea are being caught undeserved way, but also the coral reef, and other marine life and many individuals that are swimming are in danger as well.
As proof I researched information, and I am going to state incidents that were caused due to gillnets. I found out that an endangered turtle was killed on February 28, 2008 according to the avis. If I am correct this type of turtle is protected under endangered species act, and no percussion was dealt to any individuals. A next article on February 21, 2008 I read said that snorkels where caught in a net, and still no one is seeing this as a predicament. These are just a few things that I read that caught my eye. The thing that caught my attention the most is when I came to find out that gillnets are supposedly banned, but the law hasn't been enforced.
I believe with a new, great administrator as your self you will enforce this law, and stop this from getting any worse. Many will start and say that we are only thinking about the animals, and not the fishermen. That statement would be untrue all we trying to establish are a safer way to fish, so that the environment came become better.
I know that with gillnet fishing it is a quicker way to fish, but you also need to understand the negative side of this. Our number one attractions to the Virgin Islands are our fishes and the coral reef. With our numbers of fishes being depleted quicker than it supposed to be due to gillnet fishing, and with the destruction gillnet cause coral reef. Gillnet fishing came about I believe after Hurricane Hugo, after where all the boats and equipment were lost. During those days line and pot fishing were popular, but after the hurricane and with finding out that it quicker to catch fish it became a trend.
This letter was a representation on how I feel about this style of fishing, and I hope the government will put there best foot forward and stop this before it get too late.
Jervain Richardson
Virgin Islands
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.