In addition to B.A.S.S. conservation director Noreen Clough (reported yesterday), The Bass Federation (TBF) president and CEO Robert Cartlidge, VP and media director Mike Hofmann and two Wisconsin TBF members also testified at the recent hearing on Wisconsin Assembly Bill 35. The bill would eliminate that state's prohibition against culling in bass tournaments.
In his remarks to the Natural Resources Committee, Cartlidge said “This is a law put into place well before the advent of modern day livewell systems – back when stringers and buckets were the norm. It is outdated and needs to change with the times. There is not a single study anywhere in the nation that we can find that says culling is a biological problem to bass fisheries management.
"If it were detrimental to the resource, to bass fishing or to common-sense conservation practices, we would not be supporting the change. Secondarily, Wisconsin is missing out on millions in revenue because of an outdated law. A modest 10% increase in non-resident fishing license sales and related expenditures would result in an estimated $8 million dollar increase to the Wisconsin economy. Those are potential hard dollars that the people of Wisconsin could use right now, just for changing a law that no longer makes sense and, who every fishery professional agrees, will have no negative impact of bass populations. It is a win-win.”
Wisconsin anglers are encouraged to contact their state representatives and senators and let them know they support the bill. Click here to access the state government website and go to the heading "Legislature" for an email directory of legislators.
Update: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed the bill by a 10-5 vote today. It now moves on to the Senate Natural Resources committee and if it's passed there as well, it'll go to a full vote in both houses.
