If it wasn’t bad enough that Japan said it would refuse to comply with the ban, “forward thinking countries” such as Canada have VOTED AGAINST the ban! What the hell is wrong this planet? Rather than saving an entire species from being fished to extinction we’d rather save a few jobs? I know this is a touchy subject, and many people who visit this blog work in the fishing industry both recreationally and commercially, but clearly you need to have the foresight to realize that if there are no more bluefin tuna left in this world you’re still out of a job. Sure the PEI fishermen talk about conservation, but the bluefin that exist off our coasts are the same bluefin off other countries coasts. I sincerely hope that some kind of resolution is found before it’s too late.
Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea is applauding Thursday’s United Nations wildlife meeting vote rejecting a U.S.-backed proposal to ban bluefin tuna exports.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species made the right decision, said Shea. She added that responsible management practices of Canada’s bluefin fishery helped swing the vote.
Japan and scores of developing nations opposed the ban, which was proposed Feb. 5 by the panel that oversees the convention. It believed the export of Atlantic bluefin tuna — popular in sushi restaurants — has resulted in a drop of more than 80 per cent in stocks since the 19th century.
“We’re very encouraged by the preliminary results because Canada’s position all along has been that that this species should be managed through a regional fish management program, which we have in ICCAT [International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas],” said Shea. “The challenge will be to strengthen ICCAT to ensure that conservation measures are adhered to.”
Canada’s management plan is one of the best in the world, said Shea.
If Canada truly has the best management plan in the world, perhaps it’s time we helped other countries achieve the same level of natural resource management, then everyone would win. The following quote really shows that despite this “best in the world” management system we need more education and information on the actual state of these fisheries, not just the “idea” that they will be here forever. Because they won’t be.
“We’re ecstatic here. We never thought there should have been a ban and the way we fish our tuna here and our conservation measures and the way the fishermen themselves look after the stock, there really was no indication that there should be a ban whatsoever,” said Neil LeClair, P.E.I.’s fisheries minister on Thursday.
When I’m browsing the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show I always keep an eye out for things that are out of the ordinary, ideas and products that break the moulds of convention. One such company is MacKinnon Tackle, based right here in Ontario. Firstly, I totally respect anyone that makes their own lures, our own Clive Mathias created Rockstar Lures and these days is pumping out some serious gear. MacKinnon Tackle is no different in that respect, but their approach is all together something I wouldn’t have expected. But now there’s no turning back, colour me deeply impressed!
MacKinnon Tackle makes handmade lures, everything from bucktails and spinnnerbaits, to jigs and even crankbaits! These one-of-a-kind lures are like miniature works of art. The first thing I noticed that separates these lures from the others is the use of hand formed glass components instead of lead, tungston, or other heavy metals that can cause environmental damage. These components are made from a high grade thermo shock resistant Boro Silicate glass so they will take everything you, and your catch, can throw at them. On top of that, the glass provides several benefits, such as enhancing light refraction to attract game fish and creating attractive sounds and vibrations completely distinct and unique to each lure.
I spent quite a long time talking to the guys at this booth, in fact both days of the convention so far I’ve talked to them long enough that the convention room lights were turned off and we were asked to leave! Before they could kick me out though I picked up two lures from MacKinnon, two of each even, one set for me, one for Clive. Below and above you’ll find a salamander and frog pattern, made from glass, deer hair, and a few pieces of the plastic jig material. I personally can’t wait to catch something on these, but I dread the possibility of ever loosing them.
These photos were all taken by Brandon Seibel, one of my friends and co-workers, on his Canon 50D.
One of the coolest products at the Toronto Sportmen’s Show this weekend, that’s not a fishing lure, reel, or rod, is the Insect Defend Patch. This patch is 100% deet free, totally safe and natural. The patch contains thiamine (vitamin B1) which when applied to the skin is absorbed, and then later through your own body’s chemistry, is excreted through your sweat glands producing an invisible protective barrier against mosquitoes. Totally safe for kids as young as one year old!
I picked up three of these patches for 5 bucks, they normally sell for about 2 bucks each plus tax. I will be testing them throughly this spring and summer, and should they work I hope to have them in our opensky store as a possible order stuffer. They weigh almost nothing, so I figure we might be able to work something out where you can get them cheap on top of an existing order. We’ll see how it goes.
Another interesting fact about these is that apparently vitamin B1 is really good for you if you have a hang over. Yes, I’ll be testing that part too! I also just found out that Korsakoff syndrom, a disease caused by alchohol abuse, is caused by a lack of vitamin B1. These could have many medical uses in the future, not just bug repellant.
Some of these photos were all taken by Brandon Seibel, one of my friends and co-workers, on his Canon 50D.
While browsing the lower levels of the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show I found a great booth put together by the Golden Eagle Art gallery. They have tons of awesome framed art of all genres. When I was walking by I noticed this musky print, the last one on the shelf no less, and I simply couldn’t resist! It’s now hung up on my wall at home.
Yesterday at the Toronto Sportmens Show I got my first hands-on look at the new Abu Garcia Vendetta rods, and I must say I’m impressed. These rods are extremely light and very nicely balanced. This is the first year for these rods so they do not come in as many variations as other established lines of rods. Still this is a solid release of a hot new product. I even got a few closeup shots of the laser etched butt cap too! I think I might pick one of these up this weekend, might even pair it with an Abu Garcia Revo!
These photos were all taken by Brandon Seibel, one of my friends and co-workers, on his Canon 50D. He will be joining me again this afternoon when we check out one of the other buildings.
The sky, now turning from a pale grey to a wondrous blue in announcement of the rapidly approaching sun illuminated our mountainous silhouette surroundings. As the sun ascended over the mountain tops the desert awoke reaching upwards with an infinite number of cacti fingers. It was a marvelous spectacle to watch as small flocks of birds darted out of their nests and larger predatory birds appeared soring above. It was as if that single ray of sunshine swept the desert with a breath of extraordinary life.
