In the present situation it is useless to blame fisheries administrations, regulations, publicity about blemished rockfish or the shortage of fish available. It is the adverse effect of the escalating price of fuel that drives a sense of protest everywhere, sportsfishing is no exception. Even the business of chartering, headboating or commercial fishing has also been affected.
Businesses associated with fishing are also affected due to increasing fuel prices. Charter fishermen are facing a plunge in their business as the number of chartercraft is very few. Whether it is recreational or charter the fate is same. No matter how they fish, they all share the same woe; the cost of fuel.
The economy is not in good position as the fishing industry is losing customers due to high prices and they have no idea how high fuel costs will peak. Charlie Ebersberger, proprietor of Anglers Sports Center, said that higher end and more profitable tackle items like the better rods and reels aren’t selling like they used to. He told that fishermen check prices carefully, they’ve become more cost conscious and now look for lower-end and mid-priced merchandise to save money for fuel-associated costs.
Capt. George Prenant, past president of the Maryland Charterboat Association, opined that customers have become ‘somewhat’ timid,” said George who endured the Kepone scare, Tropical Storm Agnes that muddied waters for weeks on end and other economic woes in his long career. It is clear that the fishing is going to cost much more this year with rising fuel costs.
