The Curious Case of Lobster Trap Escape Ports (Version 1)

California Lobster Fisherman Sam Shrout speaks out against the new policy/enforcement approach regarding lobster trap escape ports, while seeking opinions from the Santa Barbara community. Filming and editing by Victoria Minnich / Kevin Shrout. Please check out www.biologicallyincorrect.org!

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• curious case
• lobster trap
• escape port
• Santa Barbara
• Isla Vista
• California
• Spring 2009
• seafood politics
• fisheries politics
• marine politics
• stakeholder interactions
• fishing
• fishermen
• fish and game
• public response
• public engagement
• humor
• walk the line
• solution films
• Sam Shrout
• Kevin Shrout
• Victoria Minnich
• Stokastika
• Biologically Incorrect
• Gonzo Scientist
• gonzo journalism
• media intervention
• actor network theory

[stokastika]

It's extremely fun to make films that have helped in the political arena. One thing I have learned: I thought that the peer-review process in science has become controversial and unfair, and now that I've been exposed to the legislative process of manufacturing laws? "Controversial and unfair" to outright "contradictory and absurd"!!! The politics of generating scientific papers seems a little more angelic after being exposed to the legislative process. *Sigh.*

[stokastika]

UPDATE (continued): The Bill passed through all the legislative hoops and reached the Governator's desk, in which he vetoed because (1) he does not want to charge extra fees and eliminate jobs in a time of economic struggle and (2) there's no point in adjusting the escape port law because DFG is broke and can't enforce the policy anyway (hence, a letter in the mail?!!) The Bill AB-571 transformed into bill AB-408, and is going through the process once again.

[stokastika]

UPDATE (continued): The California Bill AB-571 was drafted in 2009, entitled "Lobster Management Enhancement," in which the escape port portion was attached to a more controversial "lobster stamp" program, two very distinct issues housed inappropropriately in the same bill since they "both relate to California spiny lobster." The Bill passed through all the legislative hoops and reached the Governator's desk, in which he vetoed because (1) he does not want to charge extra fees and eliminate guy

[stokastika]

UPDATE: "chmartin3412" asked, "did it work?" Today it's June 2010, and the escape port bill is still "in the political process." As of middle summer 2009, LA Weekly reported on the escape port topic and referenced this film, (google "LA Weekly Squidink Escape Ports." I heard through the grapevine that this film was used as a staple piece of evidence for drafting new legilslation. (See next post)

[stokastika]

I KNOW IT'S LAME TO COMMENT ON MY OWN FILM, BUT I NEED TO PROVIDE THE CONTEXT: "This film was created in order to foster discourse and unite the concerns of lobster fishermen with methods of attachment of lobster trap escape ports, in addition to communicating this concern to the California Department of Fish and Game." This film is not a piece of impartial journalism but more so an attempt to facilitate discourse with specific stakeholders.

[CarMoves]

Why would you ask average people about this? It's silly.

[chmartin3412]

did it work?

[flipthelyd]

awesome! great way to get the message out. : )

[losian79]

Unenforced for 33 years?  This is not the time to be enforcing. Plus - I'm sure there is no scientific evidence that shows those wires slow down lobsters.

[aquasoul3]

Valid points. Definitely worth a think!