By Lew Carpenter

Anglers understand the importance of Coastal Louisiana wetlands to both wildlife and people. For example, a recent virtual town hall hosted by National Wildlife Federation drew more than 9,000 hunters and anglers concerned about the tremendous ecological and wildlife impacts of the BP oil spill along the Gulf Coast.

The ongoing oil leak crisis compounds the rapid loss of wetlands and places a world-class fishing destination at risk. During a mid May poll about the Gulf oil leak, anglers proved they have a variety of concerns, which include recreational fishing bans, personal behavior and long term health of fish populations.

The poll, commissioned by Pure Fishing and facilitated by AnglerSurvey.com, showed the majority of anglers put conservation concerns first. More than 67 percent of anglers who participated in the poll said long-term health of fish populations —as a result of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico — was a major concern.

Those responding to the poll also revealed the Gulf crisis will change their angling behavior in many ways. Slightly more than 40 percent of anglers who planned to fish the Gulf, Florida Keys or east coast of Florida in the next 12 months anticipate their fishing activity in those areas will decrease as a result of the leak.

When asked if the number of trips they take to fish for certain species will change, a third to nearly half of anglers predicted a decrease in the number of fishing trips for saltwater species because of the Gulf crisis. However, anglers indicated freshwater fishing might be a viable alternative. Approximately 26 percent of respondents anticipated an increase in the number of trips to fish for largemouth bass and 27 percent expected to take more fishing trips for other freshwater species.

A concern about government restrictions that would ban fishing also was high on anglers’ minds, with 62 percent rating this as a major concern.

It’s clear that sportsmen place a high recreational value on Louisiana’s wetlands, and this catastrophic tragedy may be the catalyst to allow long-overdue restoration projects to move forward. Reconnecting the Mississippi River with the wetlands is the only answer to long-term health and sustainability of the wetlands, as well as the game fish dependent upon the habitat.