Environmentalists and recreational interests had supported the bill saying that the mile-long nets were tearing up the bottom of Mobile Bay and threatening fish stocks in the area. But for commercial fishermen it is against their livelihood. They attended House Agriculture and Forestry Committee meeting saying the bill represents a direct threat to their livelihood.
State Rep. Spencer Collier, R-Bayou la Batre, promised a filibuster unless mandatory buyout provisions were made voluntary. The bill would ban the use of commercial gill nets effective Oct. 1. The net fishermen would be given compensation that would be funded through an $8 surcharge on saltwater fishing licenses over the next five years. Edwin Lamberth, chairman of the Mobile-based Coastal Conservation Association’s government relations committee, the banning of nets would have an economic impact in Alabama which reduces recreational fishing.
According to commercial fishermen and seafood industry representatives local fish stocks are stable but the ban would destroy local livelihoods. Mike Casey, a fisherman from Mobile, said he would “have nothing” if the ban effected. The commercial fishermen also said that the gill net ban would end up hurting fishing-related businesses.
Collier was disappointed by the vote saying that he would not accept the bill in its current form. For Ison the buyout offer is generous and rejected the idea that the vote punishes businesses.
