In all the rhetoric surrounding the unbelievably contentious issue of red snapper management these days, with devastating seasonal/bag restrictions and even complete closures haunting the future of major coastal sport fisheries Texas to Georgia, there's been one element glaringly missing: alternative solutions that might manage to satisfy federal law while not obliterating entire fisheries.

Bob Shipp has given me a sneak peak at just that. A "common-sense approach" he's derived could offer hope.

Have you heard about the proposed Gulf of Mexico Heritage Park that will close the entire Gulf from southern Texas to Key West from 20 miles out to all recreational fishing?

Probably not, since I just made that up.

But I'll bet I got your attention.

And your full attention is warranted to understand what our sport-fishing counterparts Down Under are facing right now with a very real Coral Sea Heritage Park proposal.

For decades, sport fishermen from all over the world (particularly, of course, the United States) have converged on the remarkable Sea of Cortez, enjoying the abundance of marine life introduced to the public 60 years ago in John Steinbeck's chronicle, The Log from the Sea of Cortez.

One of the big and enduring draws to anglers: the vast numbers of dorado (dolphin or mahi) that pour into this yawning gulf between Mexico's mainland and its Baja peninsula. Those dorado are also a factor drawing in large numbers of billfish and big yellowfin, which also find them tasty meals.

More than any time I can recall, federal management of our coastal fisheries by the National Marine Fisheries Service (and fishery management councils) is sending waves of concern and controversy through the recreational-fishing community. Charged with oversight of NMFS and fishery management is the head of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In March, Jane Lubchenco was confirmed as President Obama's pick to head NOAA.

Who is Dr. Lubchenco? And what is her oversight of NMFS likely to mean for coastal sport fishermen around the country?

And now for something entirely different: a little good news.

The recreational-fishing community has had its share of downbeat developments of late on many fronts, including fisheries-management challenges and restrictions, and slow sales of boats and motors. But if you think folks just aren't motivated to go fishing, think again.

While so many aspects of our lives seem to be heading a bit south of late, sales of fishing tackle and fishing licenses are holding steady overall and, in some cases, increasing, according to the American Sportfishing Association (www.asafishing.org).

Managing red snapper recreationally by having anglers purchase a tag for each snapper he/she hopes to catch (within a total of allowable catch) - that's just nuts.

Or is it?

Recently an idea that the Coastal Conservation Association floated before the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council ended up floating itself right out into the public domain. The reaction, which has since died down a bit, was fast and furious.

This is not a joke - but you can (and should) help stop it!

Even fishermen who live on the East Coast are likely aware that for the second year in a row, California's salmon fishery is moribund. One of the main and longstanding reasons for decimation of many of the state's wild-salmon runs - including those historically with the greatest numbers of fish, from the mighty Sacramento River - is water diversion.

Which statement is false?
Tarpon, bonefish and permit are all great game fish.
Tarpon, bonefish and permit caught by one angler in one day constitute a flats slam.
Tarpon, bonefish and permit are all lousy as food fish.

Hint: a permit is essentially a big ol' Florida pompano. True, they're different species, but size is the main difference since the permit grows several times as large. In fact, when permit are as small as a few pounds, distinguishing them from pompano can be difficult.

You might not think the words "fish farm" would evoke a great emotional reaction, but let me tell you, some serious sturm und drang went down at last week's Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting with what has proved to be quite a hot-button issue: Should the federal government allow large aquaculture facilities to operate in federal Gulf waters?

A host of environmental NGO's and commercial-fishermen's groups said "No!" Nevertheless, the council fairly resoundingly (in an 11-5 vote, interestingly split along gender lines with guys carrying the issue) said, "Yes!"