To our Massachusetts members -
Stripers Forever, as a matter of policy, does not endorse candidates for public office, but we feel it is important to let our members know that this candidate agrees with us on making stripers a game fish, and that if she wins we will have a powerful ally on Beacon Hill.
Ms. Silbert is also holding an event she calls a "Whistle Stop Kayak Tour and Floating Environmental Conference" this coming Saturday, September 9th on the Charles River. Here is a link to a description of the event for those who might want to participate. http://www.andreasilbert.com/node/203
Here is a copy of Ms. Silbert's statement:
MEDIA ADVISORY CONTACT: Dorie Clark
September 6, 2006 617-359-7486
LT. GOV. CANDIDATE ANDREA SILBERT STATEMENT ON DESIGNATING WILD STRIPED BASS AS SALTWATER GAME FISH
QUINCY: My name is Andrea Silbert and I am running for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts. I fully support designating wild striped bass as a saltwater game fish for social and economic reasons. Recreational fishing for striped bass is a significant quality of life pastime for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents, as well as for many visitors to our state who come to enjoy striped bass fishing. While I am mindful of the historic importance of commercial fishing to the Massachusetts economy, there comes a time and place when it no longer makes good sense to continue harvesting certain species of wildlife for the market. That time has come for striped bass. Aquaculture is already a far more stable and elastic source of healthy striped bass to provide food for public consumption.
Additionally, ending market fishing for stripers will expand recreational fishing activity and will provide far more jobs in our state.
If I am elected as Lt. Governor, I will do my best to pass legislation to accomplish making the striped bass a game fish in our state and to encourage our neighbors in Rhode Island to do the same, thus establishing striped bass as game fish throughout New England and, eventually, the entire eastern seaboard.
With best regards,
*******
Andrea Silbert - who has raised over $900,000 for her Lieutenant Governor campaign - is a progressive Democrat with a background in finance and job creation.~ As the co-founder and CEO of the Center for Women & Enterprise, she helped to create over 14,000 jobs that generate over $400 million in wages each year.~ Andrea speaks both Spanish and Portuguese and in addition to her work in the Commonwealth, she has performed grassroots economic development work in Latin America. A working mom, Andrea lives in Harwich with her husband Craig Caldwell and their three children.
-30-
| 
