SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 34

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

5330L.03I

      Whereas, sport fishing is a great industry, recreation, and occupation in Missouri; and

            Whereas, hand fishing, which is also referred to as "noodling", for channel, blue, and flathead catfish is one of the ultimate challenges in the arena of sport fishing; and

            Whereas, The United States Fish and Wildlife Service survey in 2001 found that there are approximately 467,000 catfish anglers in Missouri over the age of sixteen and by Missouri law, they can catch five flathead fish 365 days a year or 1,825 flathead fish for each permit sold; and

            Whereas, Dr. Mark Morgan at the University of Missouri-Columbia conducted a study and found that there are approximately 2,000 hand fishers in Missouri, who are asking the Missouri Department of Conservation to allow them to hand catch five channel, blue, or flathead catfish in a sixty-day statewide season for each permit sold, which would be 0.000012 percent of the available catch of catfish anglers; and

            Whereas, the Missouri Department of Conservation is responsible for all Missouri state fishing and game regulations and should provide hand fishers with appropriate information and regulations; and

            Whereas, recognizing and respecting the Research Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation, they should continue balanced research on hand fishing for channel, blue, and flathead catfish; and

            Whereas, it is the desire for some sport fishers to participate in hand fishing of channel, blue, and flathead catfish in Missouri; and

            Whereas, hand fishing is a legalized sport in 12 States, 5 of which surround Missouri; and

            Whereas, the legalization of hand fishing is supported by the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Farmer's Union, MoFED, and the Missouri Trappers Association; and

            Whereas, Dr. Donald Jackson at Mississippi State University says "A catfish taken in June, July, or August during the spawn is no different than a catfish taken in December or January.":

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby strongly encourage the Missouri Department of Conservation to have a regulated statewide hand fishing season for channel, blue, and flathead catfish from June first to July fifteenth beginning in 2007 to allow hand fishers to take five of these fish by hand; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Commissioners of the Missouri Department of Conservation.