[Condatis]

Every one appears to have a passion in regards to fishing.
The threads on Steelhead get long and heated.
However fish do not have the rights to water.
Dogs and cats etc. have rights, why not fish to water?
This is not easy as both governments do not want to go there as it involves real dollars.
what is your opinion on this?

[speycaster]

Fish should have first rights to water.Just think of the difference in the quality of water if fish had first rights to it.No logging to the waters edge,no using the waterways as a garbage dump. No stinking dams blocking rivers and of course less than 25000 people in the whole lower mainland.

[squaretailer]

According to PETA,we should all just leave them alone.

http://www.breakingn...AreFriends.html

ST

[Condatis]

I do not give a S##T about peta. What do you think?

[squaretailer]

Interesting thread that you start.If fish had rights to water or say the rights of other animals,they may just be present in greater numbers.There may also be pristine watersheds to protect them.If we continue along these lines,there may be more birds,more wildlife ,more complete intact ecosysems.We as humans may benefit with better air and water quality.One thing that keeps popping into my head though,where would we be,if we put a fish's right to water first?Would we still drive nice cars,continue to pollute and exploit everything,or would we still be living in caves,trying to get a fire started?I guess there are trade-off's to consider.

ST

[Condatis]

Interesting thread that you start.If fish had rights to water or say the rights of other animals,they may just be present in greater numbers.There may also be pristine watersheds to protect them.If we continue along these lines,there may be more birds,more wildlife ,more complete intact ecosysems.We as humans may benefit with better air and water quality.One thing that keeps popping into my head though,where would we be,if we put a fish's right to water first?Would we still drive nice cars,continue to pollute and exploit everything,or would we still be living in caves,trying to get a fire started?I guess there are trade-off's to consider.

ST

Now we are getting to the real point.

[speycaster]

Don't mind living in caves as long as i have a big club. Helps to bring the good looking wenches home.

[squaretailer]

Condatis,what would you suggest is the real point?I won't win any popularity contests for this one,but it is my feeling that there can be only one.There can be only one at the top of the food chain.As humans we put ourselves there,and climb on a ton of carnage and damage that is irrepairable,to stay on top.We will do this until there is nothing left and then we will feed on each other until there is nothing to sustain anything,there will be only one.

ST

[Scott K]

Condatis,what would you suggest is the real point?I won't win any popularity contests for this one,but it is my feeling that there can be only one.There can be only one at the top of the food chain.As humans we put ourselves there,and climb on a ton of carnage and damage that is irrepairable,to stay on top.We will do this until there is nothing left and then we will feed on each other until there is nothing to sustain anything,there will be only one.

ST

ST - I think the issue lays in simple ignorance. People don't realize what rain water would have done or where it would go before the advent of gutters, storm drains, and paved roads. I know that my house is built on a Riparian zone and that it ultimatley negatively impacts a river and it's fish. Most people don't. I think pretty much every single human who inhabits Brisith Columbia lives in a watershed, and has a house that's erecting has caused damage to a riparian zone.

I wonder how things would be different if say fish were given priority to water and a realistic approach would be to tax all homeowners a small amount per year (say $5 per year) because their house negatively alters natural watershed flows & natural riparian operations which ultimately negatively influences fish. The money is then turned over to an enhancement/rehabilitation society who does works to mitigate for impacts where feasible. In that respect the areas that are most urbanized see the most return to the damaged watersheds.

It's the same reason why I think ALL stumpage fees should go back to returning the riparian zone back into it's former glory and not into government general revenue.

[squaretailer]

Sounds good Scott.

ST

This post has been edited by squaretailer: 12 April 2006 - 08:04 PM

[Condatis]

Isn't this interesting?
Where are all the people on the Steelhead threads giving their opinions?
If they really cared for Steelhead one would think they would be in favour of this.
Yes it would effect their lives, however it might make it better for the fish.

[Floon]

But that ALSO would mean they have to quit fishing for them. Sometimes soap boxes are set up for the darnedest reasons and it would do well to see what exactly is under the platform.
Similar to the bait debate if you will.

[Ron34]

It's the same reason why I think ALL stumpage fees should go back to returning the riparian zone back into it's former glory and not into government general revenue.

So Scott, which hospitals and schools do you want shut down for lack of funding?

Ron

[druid]

But that ALSO would mean they have to quit fishing for them. Sometimes soap boxes are set up for the darnedest reasons and it would do well to see what exactly is under the platform.
Similar to the bait debate if you will.

Great point!

And furthermore: if you want "fish rights" they have to be for ALL fish: pikeminnows. bullheads. Three-spined sticklebacks. And what about frogs? salamanders? damsels and dragons? rotifers? They ALL have equal "rights" to the water, and if you, say, fill in a slough, you might lose the trout and carp, but gain the sticklebacks, frogs, salamanders, garter snakes...

druid - an Equal-rights advocate...

[squaretailer]

Druid,if we start a macrame or needle point club,instead of a sportfishing club,I think we would see far less debate over lesser important issues.Some days I'm up for that,instead.How bout you?

ST