>Hi Hugh and Storch >indeed the picture is not collorfull. And I agree with this well known >problem >since the 80s, I remember a study trip to Belgium where such bycatch and >overfishing were discussed. >The point are the needed countermeasures, otherwise the complexity (a fish >war, eg spanish vessels fishing in Canada) of that problem will overwhelm >many >good iniciatives. >Nelson. > >------------------------------------------------- >This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/
Dear Nelson, You raise good points. Is our current political system up to the tasks? When the UN was formed Mahatma Ghandi was asked to contribute to the writing of a BILL of RIGHTS for humanity. He flatly refused, saying that what was need was not a Bill of Rights but a Bill of Responsibilities. Why? Because a Bill of Rights makes people the victims of their perpetrators, while a Bill of Responsibilities makes everyone the policemen of themselves. We can know, especially now that the nuclear truths of 9/11 and the Bali bombing are revealed, that our existing political system has failed. It has not done the job FOR us that we needed to do. We are in the beginnings of a nuclear war with tactical nuclear weapons. We have to ask, "How responsible is that?" Very? Maybe? Not at all? I'm sure different people will have different opinions. Many years ago an Indian scientist, Dr. Ravi Batra, stated what he called the rule of Cognitive Dissonance. He said, "The mind involuntarily rejects information that is contrary to its beliefs." It is automatic, without thought. Inside Germany people believed Hitler was a genius and their savior right up until the end of the war. Everyone outside knew otherwise. We are seeing a similar phenomenon inside America today. People refuse to believe their government is not their friend. Most of them are my age or older, as I am amongst the last of the baby boomers. The old advice that all is illusion and one must see the world with new eyes, is right on. How we will restore the fisheries of the world is a world problem, as you point out. I happen to like eating fish, so I'm very concerned. I grew up near the coast of Louisiana where the fishing was great and the pollution even better. I'm looking at how to grow fresh water prawns on my farm in north Georgia, but that's a personal solution only. Global solutions may grow out of personal solutions, since personal solutions pave the way. If I stop buying fish and start growing some alternative, the question is half addressed. The other half? The global half? It is times like these when "the system" comes down around our ears that everyone is piqued to question, and the opportunities for growth occur. Do you have any ideas, brother? Best, Hugh Lovel Visit our website at: www.unionag.org
