LOW IMPACT FISHING AREA (LIFA) POLE & TROLL ZONE (PTZ) In 2009, TWPP was formed, and on our website ( wadepaddlepole.net/index.htm) we put forth a list of 5 items that we support - one item being : The establishment of Low Impact Fishing Areas (LIFAs) in certain highly impacted and pressured areas A LIFA would be a defined managerial area located within the Texas inland coastal waters. A LIFA would be open to all users and methods of access, however running motorized craft outside of designated access lanes would be prohibited. The engine of a motorized craft must be turned off and raised if possible. The use of electric trolling motors in these areas would be allowed. The use of motorized craft during duck seasons, and for a designated time period before and after duck season would be allowed. The purpose of a LIFA is to provide a managerial model to conserve and protect sensitive natural resources located within areas managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department under their code 13.01, and to discourage destructive and/or disruptive human behavior within such areas. Our position has not changed. We still feel strongly that LIFAs, or PTZs, are a resource management tool that would benefit recreational angling in our inshore waters - and at the very least - a LIFA should be given a trial run as a demonstration area. Our support for this one item has cost TWPP a good bit of popularity due to some alarmists putting forth that it creates a slippery slope of government intervention for bay fishing. Actually - the slope everyone should be alarmed about is the steep line drawn on the projected Texas population graph (see graph below). And - if any alarm needs to be sounded, it should be done so to wake up those with their heads planted in the sand, in denial that our shallow water fishery is being degraded. Management does not mean closure--it simply means RESPONDING TO GROWING PRESSURES and finding the most reasonable methods by which the greatest number of users can equitably share a public resource. To clarify: We support access to ALL bay waters by ALL anglers, but we are also concerned about the vitality and sustainability of our vulnerable flats fishery. The two go hand in hand. As the Lower Keys Guide Association put it - Unmanaged access to a depleted fishery is equally as bad as no access to a healthy one. TWPP believes that a demonstration LIFA would be a step towards finding a healthy balance between the two extremes. I will post below in the comments some precedent, quotes, excerpts, and links which support the LIFA / PTZ concept.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 11:43:34 +0000
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