I am copying this from another Texas Fsihing site but it is important enough. Please take note and if you like bowfishing and ever want to try it then please send these people your thoughts. If we let them keep us off this one lake next it will be ALL lakes and ALL waters.
Robert
Dear sportsman and conservationist.
I am calling on you today to help fight for our sporting and conservation rights.
In June of 2004 supporters of Carp Conservation via catch and release specifically the groups American Carp Society
http://www.americancarpsociety.com and The Carp Anglers Group
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com proposed to make Town Lake and Lake Austin catch and release only carp angling lakes. In spite of a long and well documented history of aquatic destruction by the common carp and his cousins this proposal found support in two city council members. Jeb Boyt Chairman of the downtown committee and Vice Chairman of Austin Parks committee. His e-mail is
jeboyt@hotmail.com. Also Cid Galindo from the Austin Planning commission support this measure. His e-mail is
cid.galindo@ci.austin.tx.us . This proposal now has a reasonable chance of passing.
Carp are listed by Petersons Field Guide to North American Native Fishes as an invasive exotic. Texas itself lists them as an invasive exotic species. Millions and millions of dollars are invested each year in fish screens and poisons to remove this aquatic pest. Carp are prolific breeders and muddy up a lake while feeding on plants, insects, the eggs of other fishes and fish themselves. They alter a lake so much that it it makes it uninhabitable for native species thus allowing carp to be the dominate species. As a food fish their flesh is boney and taste is unpleasant , so few if any Carp are used as a fish food. The only reasonable approach to Carp control is either chemical or mechanical. Chemical control involves poisons that effect the entire eco system not just the Carp. It is also expensive.
Mechanical removal includes commercial fishing techniques and bow fishing. This amendment being considered by the Austin City Council seeks to remove this most reasonable and least expensive of options. In all states Carp are listed as an invasive exotic and should be treated as such. To propose protective legislation for Carp is unreasonable. This well documented Paper shows the impact of Carp on a water shed
http://www.hort.agri.umn.edu/h5015/00papers/baldry.htm . There are literally 100's of similar papers all across the world documenting the path of destruction of the carp.Why are The Authorities in Austin are working to preserve Carp when in fact we should be discussing better ways to preserve our native fish is beyond reason. What next a Fire Ant Conservation amendment !
If you need any further information on the impact of Carp please by all means contact
curt@bowfishusa.com or
president@nativefish.org
If you are concerned about the impact of Carp and our Aquatic enviroment please send an e-mail to all city council members and the Mayor of Austin by sending e-mail to
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/default.htm
Bowfishing Ban in Austin?
Threaded Mode