THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 27 lines
In response to ``Fishing for trouble'' (letter, Sept. 17): Wayne Fogle seems to think that a person throwing a line in the ocean does not pose a threat to society.
Fishing licenses are issued for a reason. They help to control the amount of fishermen/women.
When the commercial fishers can no longer provide for their families, then we as a whole have a problem since we are all tied together. A fishing ``free-for-all'' would have a damaging effect on the Bay.
There is a good chance most of the enforcement officers fish, so they understand the pleasure of dropping a line in the water. The difference is that they will spend the $7.50 for a license. If these hard-working citizens just want to unwind after a long week, then spend the $7.50 and smile at the officers when they ask to see your license.
Lastly, enforcement officers do not make up the laws as they go along. They must enforce these laws. All laws. Period. To imply that we have more murders, rapes and drugs because they are checking licenses is nothing short of naive.
BRANDON BEST
Norfolk, Sept. 18, 1996 by CNB