Letters

There is a substantial volume of worldwide literature pertaining to fisheries’ bycatch. I have read a lot of this literature but never fully realized the disconnect with respect to it until recently moving to the fish- and seafood-centric Hamptons.

Most of us probably heard about the humpback whale that was caught locally this summer in commercial fishing netting [“Death Of Humpback Whale Found Off Montauk Seems To Fit A Recent Pattern,” 27east.com, July 30]. We became aware of it because the whale’s struggles were visible from shore. How many other whales and ocean creatures were trapped or killed during this local commercial fishing season that weren’t seen by the public?

This poor whale was able to be released, thanks largely to the efforts of two local men who risked their lives to help this sentient individual.

A few weeks ago, on October 21, while walking the beach and approaching the Napeague State Park western boundary sign, I saw a dead shark (dogfish, I was told). Within a few hundred feet, I came across approximately 60 of these sharks in a concentrated area. I photographed the dead sharks and shared the photos locally and was told, “Yeah, judging from the condition of the gills, I’d say these are definitely bycatch.” These sharks apparently were caught in gillnets.

How many other sharks and ocean beings were caught, killed and thrown overboard this fishing season that weren’t visible because they didn’t wash up on shore?

None of us should be subjected to commercial fisheries’ bycatch in any respect, especially when trying to enjoy our shorelines.

Whether bycatch or the intended catch, these sentient beings experience agonizing deaths. We need to evolve away from the use of gillnets by the commercial fishing industry. In reality, we need to eliminate all forms of commercial fishing in order to allow the ocean beings to repopulate and not be subjected to extreme suffering and killing.

The depletion of our oceans has a devastating effect on all life on Earth, including humans. It is my hope that those involved in the fishing industry will respond to these horrendous consequences and work together to find new and sustainable sources of income.

Randy Johnston

East Hampton