Over the past two weeks, I have travelled to all five Gulf states to talk with and listen to fishermen. Several volunteers have helped collect over 600 Fisherman Conservation Corps Pledges and another 300 plus supporters have taken the pledge online. Having spoken with both recreational and commercial fishermen of all ages, backgrounds and gender, the level of concern about the depletion of fish and the support for the issues we work on in the Gulf Fish Forever Campaign shown by the fishermen gives me hope. As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Best Fathers Day!In Destin, Florida, I spoke with wealthy boat owners, charter captains, commercial fishermen, small business owners, a magazine publisher, a seafood wholesaler, restaurateurs, and a resort manager (all fishermen).* Then I stopped at a tackle shop in Navarre, the Pensacola Bay fishing pier, a fishing rodeo in Perdido, the Alabama State Park Fishing Pier in Gulf Shores and a Gulfport Harbor fishing pier. Finally I stopped at the newly reopened Slidell Fishing Pier on Father’s Day were I met Malcolm and this three kids enjoying time together. And call it karma or good luck, just as they all finished taking the pledge, Lexie caught her first fish. She will never forget this Father’s Day. So get yourself some good luck. Take the Fisherman’s Conservation Pledge now. It only takes two minutes.*Special thanks for support to the Pelican Beach Resorts, AvanteGaurd Salon and Spa, the Emerald Coast Magazine, Chan’s Wine World and the Flora-Bama Yacht Club.
