living in closed space

[Winston Kinch]

MessageSo Mike, did they agree to hold an Open Space on the issues and opportunities for saving the species yet?
wk
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Copeland 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 10:56 PM
  Subject: living in closed space


  G'day All

  I have wanted to share a story that captures where I got to before I learned of open space.  This was the life experience that has enabled open space to hit fertile ground with me.



  I began working as a conservation advocate on New Zealand's South Island's West Coast in 2001. This place has traditionally survived on extraction: gold, coal, timber, minerals, fishing etc.  Conservation isn't exactly flavor of the month here.

  My first task was to raise awareness and work with recreational fishers on the issue of set net bycatch of Hector's Dolphins. These dolphins are native to NZ's shores with fewer than 5,000 left and are classed as "endangered."

  I talked with the fishers about the problem of their nets catching dolphin. They swore black and blue they'd never caught a dolphin in years of fishing etc.. . Well, some trust must have been established because that summer two fishers rang and reported they'd caught dolphin and we duly recovered the bodies.

  A few months later, in winter, I went back to the fishers to pick up log books Iwhich the fishers agreed to fill out to help us understand their fishing practises. No one had filled them out. One fisher swore if we banned set nets, he'd continue to fish and we could lock him up for all he cared. These fishers had a chance to help us understand their fishing practises so if decisions were made to control set nets they would be informed decisions.

   I went to the fisher who had caught a dolphin and he had entered the fatality in his log; the only entry. We had an amicable discussion.  We were looking out to sea from his garage and I asked him "you know, now you've caught a dolphin will you keep setting your net" He shuffled and looked out to sea and replied "I can't understand it, it was an incredibly clear day and the calmest day I've ever known." 

  I wonder if you're getting the picture?  What I heard these fishers saying was I realise I'm catching dolphin, I realise they are endangered, and I want to keep fishing. If you ban set netting then you are imposing restrictions on me which I'll flaunt.  Do we do nothing and allow the dolphin catch until there are no more dolphin?  Do we impose a set net ban and take it in the neck from the fishing fraternatiy who once again are victims of imposed restrictions.  Who has the responsibilty with this one? What sort of space is that to be living with? I can tell you I began seriously questioning what the heck I was doing!

   This was the life that OST has opened up new possibilties for; a space between a rock and a hard place that is, well, very open!  

  For this I am grateful. 

  Mike Copeland




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