83.9 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, April 26, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesConsider the Consequences

Consider the Consequences

Dear Source:

Dear Honorable Governor John P. DeJongh: This letter is in regards to the dangers of gill-net fishing. There are many reasons why gill-net fishing to me is wrong. First I would have to say that it would one day cause severe damage to our underwater environment. I know that gill-nets make a more efficient way for catching fish, but what happens to the fishes that are not the desired catch? What they do is throw them away in dumpsters or back into the ocean dead.
In the process of gill-net fishing the net is dropped into the ocean and creates an invisible wall in order to get the desired catch. However gill-nets are also known to kill a variety of non commercial fishes, diving sea birds and sea turtles. These varied species are vulnerable to entanglement in a fisherman's gill-net.
In a research conducted I found that gill-nets that become entangled in any way are left below causing other fishes to become trapped and die. In summary many of these non desired catches add up to millions each year and could someday lead to their extinction.
So in all what I am trying to say is that everything has a cause and effect and no one takes the time to see what the effect is. Our wildlife deserves some consideration.

Dimitri Tutein
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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS