by Cindy Clark
by Eric Horan
by Jean Tanner
by Margaret Palmer
by Margaret Palmer
by Margaret Palmer
by Nancy Schilling
by Nancy Schilling
by Pam Pray
by Pam Pray
by Susan Dee

Are there ethical concerns regarding shrimp baiting?

I don't bait shrimp and wouldn't anymore than I would shoot dove in a baited field or kill a deer over a saltlick block. To my mind shrimp are an earned reward for those willing to learn their ways and work for them. It may be argued that bating disrupts the natural movements of the species by enticing them to remain in a area longer than under normal conditions. Also, the biggest, strongest and most aggressive shrimp (desirable traits for a healthy gene pool) are concentrated on the bait balls and taken in disproportionate numbers. If we are able to develop and maintain the perspective that the shrimp and other species we humans exploit for our pleasure and profit are a gift that is earned and not an entitlement, we will go a long way in assuring those resources will be available for future generations.

Bob Bender
curator for the Lowcountry Estuarium in Port Royal

River Smart is a non-profit, 509(1)a organization. © 2011

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