Share the Road

Have you ever noticed the "share the road" signs on your local roadways? They refer to cars making room for pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists and others. After all, the roads are for all of us, aren't they?

How about sharing the waterways? There are no buoys, day boards or other aids to navigation that say "share the waterway." Nevertheless, we share the waterways with a great number of people engaged in a great number of activities. There are tugboats, sail boats, personal watercraft, power boats, sport fishermen, water skiers, commercial fisherman and research vessels, just to name a few.

The Inland and International Navigation Rules provide guidelines on how we should navigate relative to each other. The Rules also prescribe ways to identify yourself with lights (at night) and day shapes, depending on the activity you are engaged in. We're all familiar with the Rules.

What if I want to be in an area of the waterway that someone else already occupies. For example, if you are anchored in my favorite spot in the anchorage, can I demand that you move? If you are water skiing in an area where I like to fish, can call the Coast Guard to have you removed. Or should I just come back another time, under the theory that we should "share the waterways?"

I normally do not write about these matters. However, this issue is of paramount importance if those of us that enjoy the water wish to continue doing so. I am prompted to bring this up because a request has been made of the Oriental, NC Town Commission to begin a process that would exclude some mariners from using a portion of the waterway.

The request, if granted would ultimately prohibit commercial fishing with nets along Oriental's waterfront. Those in favor of the limitation believe that it is necessary so that people can fish (hook and line) from the shore without the nets being in the way. The commercial fishermen, on the other hand, are out there to earn a living.

The question becomes one of deciding who will be prohibited from using that area of the waterway 100% of the time, and who will have use of it 100% of the time. Or in other words: How much should we limit the rights of one person for the convenience of another?

I drive by the waterfront a few times a day. Based on my own observations, over the last five years, the nets have obstructed the area offshore of the waterfront about 10% of the time at best. So, the commercial fishermen have used the area about 10% of the time and the sport fishermen have used the area 90% of the time. The net fishermen have to go where the fish are to earn a living. I don't think that presents much of an inconvenience.

I suggest that we put a few signs up on the "water side" of the wooden rails on the waterfront that read: "Net Fishermen - Please Leave Some Access From the Shore." Give the signs six months or so. If the conflict still exists, come up with "Plan B." I am betting that the signs will do the trick!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!