Comments and thoughts from Economic benefits of rebuilding fisheries press conference 7-23-09

I am Capt. Paul Eidman, owner and operator of Reel Therapy.com, an outdoor adventure company offering fishing charters and kayak eco tours based out of Tinton Falls, NJ

I’m a saltwater fishing guide specializing in catch and release fly and light tackle sport fishing. We fish our local back bays, rivers and the inshore ocean, mainly targeting striped bass, bluefish, false alabacore and other gamefish.

Reel Therapy has been in business since 1998, and I originally started this business to share my passion for the sport and the outdoors with others.
Back then there were few saltwater fly fisherman here in NJ and many people were just getting into the sport, so I guess I was in the right place at the right time.

Often we hear that strict fishing regulations will have an adverse economic impact on business. As someone who makes his living off healthy and sustainable fish populations, I’m here to refute that argument. Rebuilding efforts are actually good for the oceans, good for our fish and good for those of us who run businesses based on healthy resources. Rebuilt fish populations have allowed me to run a successful business.

Sure, I feel that regulations have to be fair and balanced for all. Keep in mind that my particular charter business is unusual and the majority of fishing related business' out there rely on clients ability to being able to bring fish home for dinner. Either way, our fish need help.

Simply put, we need to be more conservative now, or pay dearly in the future. Thinking not of the fish that we can catch today, but about the fish that our children's children can fish for. It is obvious that if we (as humans) continue to exploit the resource,this will come true sooner than later and there will be nothing left for anybody to fish for.

Rules and regulations are only a part of the chain. We have to set rules in place that consider the habitat the fish spawn in, the quality of the water they live in and improve and even protect and conserve the baitfish that the predator fish rely upon for survival.

There is no way that I could have started business based upon catching striped bass in the 80’s and early 90’s, as there were very few stripers to be found. Back then, you were lucky to see one, let alone catch a striper on an artificial fly, lure or bait.

These days it’s a whole different story thanks to declaring the Striper a gamefish in NJ, imposing new regulations and allowing the stocks to rebuild. We now have an amazing fishery that provides consistent action for my clients.

More fish out there means a better hook-up rate for my clients. The more fish my clients catch, the happier they are, and the more likely they are to become repeat customers. My clients and I are strong proponents of catch and release fishing.
We want to keep these fish around for future generations.

This report recommends that we stick to rebuilding timelines as a way to improve the economics of fishing. I completely agree. Striped bass are the fish that we target most. As the striped bass fishery has improved, so has my business. Bluefish, another target species, have also come back – due to strong rebuilding efforts.

Let's all remember that more fish in the waters doesn’t only mean better business for me, but it helps to run the waterfront economy.

For example, when I run a charter out of Atlantic Highlands NJ, my clients meet me at the dock. In hand, they have Coffee, bagels, soda, sandwiches, Ice for the day that they bought right on First avenue. Chances are pretty good that they stopped at a local tackle shop too and bought a lure or two as well. After the fishing charter, they will stop at a local restaurant, have drinks, dinner and probably buy gas for the trip home.

This report shows the economic reasons why we need to rebuild depleted fish populations. My fishing charters are based on putting my clients on fish, the more fish in the water, the better the fishing business and better business for all.