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Effort expands for support of public fishing piers along coast
Restricting access is all over the place. Fishermen unite!
Effort expands for support of public fishing piers along coast
September 8, 2008 Glenn Ayers / Outdoors columnist
The "Dog Day Fishing Tournament" was no ordinary surf fishing event. Held Aug. 23 at the far western end of Oak Island, it was billed as a fund raiser to help the Town of Oak Island purchase the Yaupon Pier. But it was more than that.
It was also a further step in Al Baird's crusade to create public awareness in the plight of public fishing piers along North Carolina's coast, begun in 2006 with the creation of the North Carolina Fishing Pier Society. In the summer of 2007, the NCFPS conducted an awareness campaign by fishing 14 coastal piers from Nags Head to Sunset Beach. One of the 14 was the Yaupon Pier, recently closed.
Since then, Baird's movement has grown and expanded, with the NCFPS joining the North Carolina Public Access Foundation. The Dog Day Tourney was the new organization's effort, not just to re-open Yaupon, but to publicize the continued privatization of facilities that once permitted public access.
Baird is now vice president of the NCPAF, joining a board of 11 members, headed by well-known outdoor writer Mike Marsh as its president. Particularly significant board members are James Leuitze, president emeritus of UNC Wilmington, and Gordon Myers, deputy director of the NCWRC. A permanent seat will be held by a representative from the National Marine Manufacturers Association. So when Baird speaks of "needing to build their résumé," it would seem they've got the folks to do it.
The NCPAF feels it's absolutely critical to work with government and private citizens to oppose the forces that are privatizing public access. In the past decade, housing demand on private vacation locations around the state's natural resources have eliminated several points of access for the general public.
These include fishing piers, boat ramps, beach walkovers, parking and access around the lakes and trout streams. The NCPAF contends a large majority of North Carolina citizens would agree this isn't the desired outcome and something needs to be done.
Since 1980, the number of fishing piers along the North Carolina coast has declined from 36 to 19. In 2003, Jennette's Pier and Kitty Hawk Pier were lost. Iron Steamer Pier in 2004 and Long Beach Pier in 2005 were razed. Sportsman Pier and Triple S Pier went in 2006 and Yaupon closed before the 2008 season, though in 2007, it led the coastal finfish catch.
Fortunately, for the movement, the state is involved. North Carolina started the Waterfront Access Study Committee in 2006 to look at public access and working waterfronts, to take some action to stop access loss. Last year, they granted $20 million to various projects along the coast. Because the WASC doesn't cover inland access issues, the NCPAF will work in the future to bridge these two funding gaps.
So, the beautiful Aug. 23 morning where surf fishermen "competed" in the area of the now-gone Long Beach Pier to save the Yaupon Pier was quite a success. Between 45-50 had registered before I left, and there were a large number of volunteers staging the tournament. One was Carolyn Riggan, formerly of Haw River, now "in heaven" on Oak Island.
Furthermore, the day launched what should be a harbinger of better things to come for ordinary Tar Heels on their God-given resources.
To make a donation to the North Carolina Public Access Foundation, send a check to "NCPAF" 1502 Ebb Drive, Wilmington 28409
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