In Campbell’s writings, he describes the hero’s journey that outlines the events most stories have in their adventure. Every hero goes through the process of departure, initiation, and return on their journey along with a series of tests and obstacles that prove the hero worthy of the journey they are on. Throughout the semester, we examined a few stories including Ernest Hemingway’s, Indian Camp, and Hills Like White Elephants, that follow the three steps to a hero’s journey.
The Hills Like White Elephants is a short story about a couple on a train that can’t stop arguing about everything they mention. Their journey departs when the couple gets ready to board the train and have a few drinks before it arrives. Then, they go through a series of simple, meaningless arguments starting the initiation, where they realize their fault in arguing and still manage to keep doing so. After an extensive road of trials at the station waiting for the train, their departure arrives as the train pulls up and they can leave their journey and move on with the train. This story shows how a hero’s journey does not necessarily take place over a lifetime, but rather a short time frame that subjects someone to a series of trials that can change the way someone looks at a certain aspect of life. In this story, the couple realizes that the reason for all their arguments is the fact that they love each other and just want them to be happy.
The Indian Camp is a story about a father and child who participate in the birth of and Indian baby and witness the struggles they deal with on any given day. Their journey departs when the two row down the lake to the Indian camp and meet with the birthing mother and family. The initiation, for the boy, Nick, is observing the screaming Indian mother giving birth to the child and watching the chaos around the room, as well as seeing his father work to save the mothers life as well as the newborn child. The departure for Nick is then witnessing the death of the birthing mothers husband and realizing the struggles in life that people have to deal with. The story ends with paddle back across the river and the two reminiscing about the situations they just witnesses.
Joseph Campbell describes the way a person travels through life the journeys they encounter. This relates to the creation of my Project Three work in that through my journey I have become familiar with commercial fishing and the rules and regulations that follow them. My project consisted of a letter two three major fishing magazines that frequently publish articles about my topic. My journey lead to the passion I have for recreational fishing and the destruction commercial fishing does to our marine environment.
Ultimate Boon 172-192 In the section, The Ultimate Boon, Jospeh Campell analyzes the hero's desire to be close to the gods. At this point in the journey, the hero's desire to be immortal like the gods and obtain their grace and power overtakes the hero. This desire is shown in the Hindu myth of the milk. This milk, which was created over a thousand years, has the ability to make a human live forever. This milk is guarded by the gods and sipped on by them each night. Only one human was capable of obtaining a sip of this milk yet was beheaded before the milk could reach the entire body. As a result, the head lived on forever. This head was sent to the heavens where is attempts to drink the cup of milk (which is now the moon). Every time the head succeeds, there is a lunar eclipse. The Ultimate Boon represents something that every human being wishes to obtain, immortality. That immortality can come in any form, not just by living forever. The pharaohs of Egypt, whom believed they were on the same level as the gods, made themselves immortal by constructing huge memorials for themselves. The search for a specific elixir was seen by the Spaniards in their quest to find the fountain of youth. They king and queen sent several expeditions ranging from Florida all the way through South America in search of an elixir to make one remain young. 1. In today's society do you believe people are in search of the “Fountain of Youth”? 2. What modern day examples can you find where the hero attempts to live forver? 3. Why do you believe their has been such a great stigma to try to be immortal seen in many cultures all over the world?
Woman as the Temptress
Woman as the Temptress 121-126 Joseph Campbell describes the union between the hero and the woman as a perfect union. He states that the woman is capable of balancing the hero and bringing closure to the hero. This closure is needed because of the void cause by the hero's mother and father's relationship. Once the hero has found his own companion, he no longer has the jealousy towards his father. But he continues by stating that once this “perfect” feeling is found, the life of the hero can go nowhere but down. The hero becomes obsessed with the search for perfection once again. This quote on the second page made me think, “Wars and temper tantrums are the makeshifts of ignorance; regrets are illuminations come too late”. This quote made me think of the present state of the world and the wars occurring between varying races and groups of people. Various societies are unable to look past the names of their groups and fight just because one person is part of a different race, religion, ect. Like the hero becomes obsessed with his desire to find the perfect life, these groups have become obsessed with the search for the perfect world, one without any differences. 1. How does the action of getting out of bed bring about a cure? 2. What modern day examples can you think of? 3. Do you believe women are a temptress as Campbell describes them? Ubiquitous Phantasmagoric Malodorous
Meeting with the Goddess
The Meeting with the Goddess 109-120 The end of the hero's journey is commonly represented by the communion of the hero and a mystical marriage to or meeting with a goddess. The goddess changes roles in various myths, taking on the role of mother, sister, or lover. One connecting factor is that the goddess is described with such great beauty, comparing her with the beauties of the surrounding nature. Campbell gives many examples showing these contrasting roles of the goddess. The first example is that of divine beauty. The story takes place in Ireland and is about a young prince who is on the journey to save the Queen of Erin. During his journey, he comes across 12 beautiful maidens, ending with the beautiful Tubber Tintye. Another example is of Ramakrishna, who while meditating a beautiful woman emerges from the Ganges River. When he sees the beautiful woman, she quickly changes form and becomes a terrible monster and consumes her baby. The meeting with the goddess is the final test of the hero to win the love of the female. When first reading this section, many Disney stories came to mind. First is that of Sleeping Beauty where a beautiful princess is cast under a spell, and made to sleep until her prince arrives. The essence of beauty is used in many ways in the different myths. It can be an attractive force, bringing the hero to a place of happiness. Beauty can also be used to trick the hero. In the story of Ramakrishna, the beauty of the women distracts the hero from his meditation. At first, he is attracted by the woman's beauty but then learns the truth hidden behind her beauty, that she is a monster. Campbell finishes by stating that the final test of the hero is to win the love of the female. This is seen in the epic poem the Odyssey. At the end of his long journey, Odysseus has to win the love of his estranged wife, Helen. 1. Who is the “goddess” in your life? 2. What other modern day examples can you find? 3. How do you think the role of woman in society has been formed through these myths where the women represent perfection? Fastidious Betwixt Numerical
Atonment with the Father
Atonement with The Father 126- 149 In this section, Joseph Campbell describes the unique relationship between father and son. To the child, the father is this image of power and respect. The son feels that he must prove himself to win the love of the father. This is first seen in the opening where the Puritan minister is describing the men's needs to appease God. He tells the men of his parish that they are the sons of God and they are capable of doing greater sins than even the Devil himself. He continues to scare the men by stating that if they do not change their ways, God will destroy them. Another story Campbell employs is that of the Navaho twins. Once they reach their father's castle, they are met by an angry god who wishes to destroy them. It is until they follow the advice given to them by the Spider Woman, that the father finally allows them to be a part of his household. In this section, I find it interesting how Campbell describes the role of the mother and the father as opposite yet they are one in the same. He states that the father is a relentless figure whom one must have faith in yet he can also be merciful. He continues by stating that this mercifulness can be discovered through the kind of words and advice given by the female figure. Campbell believes that in order to reach the father, the child needs to let go of his ego, both God and Sin. This practice is called Atonement (at-one-ment). 1. How is this attachment form the Ego similar to meditation? 2. Why do you believe the father represents such a powerful and scary figure? 3. Is there a father figure in your life which follows these guidelines? Unmitigated: unqualified The presentation given by the professor was an unmitigated bore. Omnipotent: all mighty or infinite in power The Pharaohs of Egypt believed that they contained an omnipotent power. Intercession:
Apothosis
Apotheosis 149-172 Joseph Campbell begins this section with the description of the Bodhiasattva. This figure is grand and size and beautiful in decoration. It contains both female and male qualities making it the perfect union. He continues to states various other examples of similar god-like creatures which have both male and female parts. In the following section, he describes the human nature to love and protect only which is in their immediate proximity, including the self. This area of protection does not include the rest of the world, and this is why normally peaceful groups fight wars. For one to be truly enlightened and to be able to fully become the hero is to escape from the past materialistic life and self concerned ego is to truly be transformed into a hero. The first thing I did when I began reading this section was to look up the word apotheosis. Its definition is the rise of a person to the level of a god. At first, the talk of man and woman as one did not make sense to me. How does the combination of the two sexes make one a god? My answer came later after thinking more about the ying and the yang. Without one to balance the other, it does not work. Both male and female figures have flaws, yet when the two sexes are together, these flaws are canceled out. 1. How does the desire to protect oneself cause wars? 2. Can you think of any modern day “peaceful” groups which start fights in order to protect themselves? 3. How can one reach enlightenment? Ascetic Delusory Ambient
Annotated Bib. Road of Trials
The Road of Trials 97-109 Campbell describes the next portion of the hero's journey after crossing the threshold. This part includes the hero entering a dream-like world with numerous tests and ordeals. During these tests, the hero is helped with the gifts previously given to him from the supernatural helper. The first example given by Campbell of this road of trials is the myth about Cupid's lover, Psyche. Psyche is sent on a series of “errands” or tests for Cupids mother, Venus. Along the way, Psyche is aided by numerous beings, including a reed, eagle, and an army of ants. Campbell continues by stating that along this journey, the hero is cleansed and humbled, transcending his or her past. This section is closely resembled by the famous story of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy enters the dream world of Oz through a tornado which hits her home in Kansas. Once she enters Oz, she begins her journey across the yellow brick road which entails numerous tests and trials provided by the Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy is aided by the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man. Once Dorothy returns to Kansas, she is no longer the immature girl that she was before beginning her journey. 1. What other modern day examples are there where the hero is assisted along their journey? 2. Who represents the medicine man in our society? 3. Is their any point in your life where you had a spiritual rebirth? Neurosis Libidinal Psychosexual infantilism
5th grader game
Standard 1: Develop understandings of addition and subtraction strategies for basic addition facts and related subtraction facts. (MA.1.A.1)
My project consists of a board game in which students will each have a piece and role the dice to move around the board. They will be required to do the math to move their pieces. Every square thay land on will have either a piece of good or bad information about fishing in some respect. The board is nautical by nature and will hopefully stimulate their minds and inform them on the world outside what they see every day.
Project 3 annotated bib.
Marlin Magazine
Marlin Magazine is a nation wide published magazine that covers the recent activity of fishing month to month, specifically based on billfish. Every month they produce a product giving up to date detail on the fishing world and the dilemmas and winnings of the fishing community. A group of main editors and publishers, including Michael Leech, and Peter Write, write articles on specific points on how to improve your fishing techniques and be more prepared when taking off for a fishing adventure. They detail the hot spots around the world and give statistics on tournament winnings that happened the previous months. More importantly for my Project 3 topic, they keep the fishing community up to date with the swordfish industry and what their status is in the world. The rules and regulations from the NOAA/NMFS testaments are posted and are intended to inform the public on what is in store for the next month on swordfish regulation. The magazine also addresses the commercial fishing dilemma and what their current catch quota and by-catch limits are. Marlin Magazine is an important magazine for the project I’m working on. I will be writing a letter to the magazine addressing the importance of the work they are doing and the appreciation the fishing community has on their publishing’s.
Florida Sportsman
Florida Sportsman is another fishing magazine that publishes monthly article on the fishing community, specifically in Florida waters only. The postings detail on up to date fishing adventures in both fresh and salt water. There is a series of articles that entail both swordfish details and other pelagic species and their quota status in the past months. Florida Sportsman is a perfect magazine to write to for my Project 3 because it goes exactly with what my project is about. Commercial sword fishing is a major problem in Florida and the magazine keeps the fishing community up to date with what is happening in the waters off South Florida.
Sport Fisherman
Sport Fisherman is a nation wide published magazine that covers the recent activity of fishing month to month, specifically based on billfish. Every month they produce a product giving up to date detail on the fishing world and the dilemmas and winnings of the fishing community. A group of main editors and publishers, including Michael Leech, and Peter Write, write articles on specific points on how to improve your fishing techniques and be more prepared when taking off for a fishing adventure. They detail the hot spots around the world and give statistics on tournament winnings that happened the previous months. More importantly for my Project 3 topic, they keep the fishing community up to date with the swordfish industry and what their status is in the world. The rules and regulations from the NOAA/NMFS testaments are posted and are intended to inform the public on what is in store for the next month on swordfish regulation. The magazine also addresses the commercial fishing dilemma and what their current catch quota and by-catch limits are. Sport Fisherman is an important magazine for the project I’m working on. I will be writing a letter to the magazine addressing the importance of the work they are doing and the appreciation the fishing community has on their publishing’s
The swordfish was once considered by many to be the “gladiators of the deep.” These hard fighting predators of the ocean make amazing table fare, with it demand across the globe. Recreational fishermen seek out to catch these elusive creatures hoping to bring home a trophy of their own along with food for the family and friends. However, with the decline of its stock due to commercial fishing, many people no longer target the fish due to the lack of reward for the expenses of sword fishing. High gas prices, expensive tackle, and time consumption are no longer worth the cost to go out and hope to catch a gladiator of the deep. Years ago, the swordfish was thought to be a bottomless resource that many took for granted, but due to high demand in the fish market, and lack of planning by the entire world, the theory has proved to be far from the truth. Negligent management of the fishery has decimated the population, perhaps beyond all repair; specifically having a terrible impact on recreational anglers around the United States of America. In order to fully understand the problem(s) at hand regarding the swordfish, one must examine the problem from a global perspective. The reality that the fish stock has reached precariously low levels is a world-wide dilemma. Dr. John J. Magnuson states, “some scientists and conservationists have been warning that the Southern swordfish stock might not be able to continue supporting current catch quotas” (Magnuson). In comparison, the situation with the swordfish stock is even worse in the Atlantic Ocean. In a study conducted in the Atlantic Ocean, “of 377 swords that were tagged, forty nine of them were recovered for a staggering recovery rate of just fewer than thirteen percent” (Block). When one considers all of the possible ways a fish can expire or avoid re-capture, this recovery rate of nearly 13% proves to be nothing short of mind-boggling. This study makes it very clear that the swordfish stocks of the Atlantic is desperate for help as not nearly as many of these fish that were tagged initially should have been recovered a second time. Another frightening aspect surrounding the current swordfish status is how people continuously fail to recognize the severity of these disturbing trends. As a matter of fact, even some American recreational anglers sometimes fail to follow the limitations in existence when fishing for swordfish. According to NMFS research and affiliated international research programs, “not only swordfish but also other fish stocks including Bluefin Tuna are plummeting across the world, upsetting delicate natural food chains. Some fear irreversible damage has already been done” (NMFS). The markets demand for commercial fishing creates a powerful block on the restrictions NMFS and affiliates can place on the fishery. With the fragile economy today, the commercial industry has a large impact on the outcome of regulations set fourth on swordfish and other pelagic landings. The commercial lobbyist’s push congress to allow more long line permits to fill the US quotas every year. As stated by NMFS in last years research pamphlet, “with the low catch rates of pelagic species, the allowance of more permits to commercial fish in US waters will only lead to further decimation of the population and increased by-catch of marlin and turtles” (NMFS). This is an outcome that will not help to improve any regulations previously set fourth by the National Marine Fisheries Association. Recreational fishing will increasingly slow and the diminishing population of marine species will continue to plummet. Ever since the first rods and reels large enough to fight a fish such as the swordfish were first produced, the magnificent fish has been considered one of the best, and as a result, one of the most popular fish to chase. In the early days of sword fishing, it was, for the most part, a game fish that was only stalked by recreational anglers. However, as time passed, and people realized the economic value of the meat, the fishery gradually transformed into, largely, a commercial fishery. As technology increased and people found a way to transport these fish long distances with the aid of freezer plates on airplanes, even more commercial fishermen started targeting them. As the commercial fleet continued to slaughter the species, it became quite apparent that legislative actions would have to be established to slow the mass murder of the species. “Fishing for Atlantic swordfish was unregulated before the formation of NMFS in 1930. Even at this time it was feared that too many juveniles were being fished. Thus in 1975, the first swordfish regulation came into effect establishing a minimum size and limiting the level of fishing intensity to that of the early 1970's” (NMFS). The National Marine Fisheries Service is an intergovernmental agency that is liable for managing and preserving all pelagic species in the Atlantic Ocean but other oceans as well. Unfortunately, their authority outside US waters is less than par. They can only suggest possible restriction foreign vessels can follow, and such vessels rarely abide to them. If a foreign boat does decide to cooperate, their efforts are inaccurately documented and enforced to the full restrictions set fourth. The regulation that was put into effect in 1975 was the first example of an authorized effort to defend the Atlantic swordfish population. While this regulation helped the Atlantic population of the species, their closely related family members in the Pacific were being massacred. The Mediterranean has an enormous commercial fleet in order to provide their citizens with fresh fish. Because of easy access to the swordfish population, the majority of the fleet focused their efforts on catching and killing swordfish by both long lining and harpoon. The Pacific fishery is not managed by one agency such as NMFS, but rather by many different government(s), leaders, organizations; further complicating the issues at hand. In some cases, the stock is actually unattended to meaning that there are no conservation measures being used in order to conserve the fishery. As a result, “…the stock's parental biomass is now a mere fraction of what it once was. Few associated with the Southern swordfish industry, either domestically or internationally, dispute this” (Magnuson). This problem is fully explained in the article Whose fish are they Anyways; the fish managed in US waters eventually migrate off to areas unprotected by US law. In this vast ocean, the US can perform any possible conservation effort to insure the survival/protection of swordfish, but due to political boundaries and international law, US jurisdiction can only manage “their” swordfish. Due to several major factors, swordfish are very vulnerable when it comes to over fishing. The first factor that holds most of the blame for the decline in the swordfish stocks is the high demand for these prized meat fish around the world. Commercial fisherman can gain as much as a thousand + dollars for a healthy sized fish. As one can imagine, these ridiculously high prices cause a lot of greed among commercial fisherman, often times causing them to abandon any thought of the future for the species when pursuing the highest profits possible. Tons of fish are caught on a daily basis with very few people realizing that only mature swords are able to spawn. It is impossible for the specie to regenerate at a pace that will be sustainable when too many premature fish are being killed prior to breeding. “Several features of swordfish biology and natural history make the species vulnerable to over-fishing. Firstly, it is long-lived (thought to have a potential lifespan of 40 + years) and late to mature (not reaching sexual maturity until 10-12 years of age)”(Leech, 36). As one can imagine, the heavier the fish weighs, the more money it fetches in the market. As a result of this and people being increasingly greedy when it comes to attaining wealth, these older, spawning fish are the most attractive to the commercial fishermen. In our society today, most recreational anglers chase the Giant sized fish simply for the excitement they get from harvesting one. Obviously, the battle that comes from fighting a fish of this size does not compare to catching the smaller fish. As a matter of fact, most recreational fishermen list the larger swordfish at, or near, the top of their list for species they wish to encounter. It is important to realize that the smaller fish, despite them weighing less, are also killed even though they never have the chance to spawn. Since more swordfish are being slaughtered and fewer being born, the destruction of the specie is inevitable as both economic and culinary greed have virtually taken over the fishery. It is no secret that as each day passes, technology of all types improves. New methods are being created for scientists attempting to dismiss myths about the swordfish that are inaccurate. Perhaps the most famous of this elite group of scientists studying the Xiphius Gladius (swordfish) is Dr. Barbara Block of Stanford. Back in 1996, Block and her team of scientists started to conduct a study on tagging the fish using highly refined technology. As stated in her journal, “Block and her colleagues are conducting research with a new type of remote telemetry device, called pop-up satellite archival tags. The tags are essentially computers that record navigational information, body temperature, depth, and ambient temperature data” (Block). Block experimented with her method of tagging these beasts off the coast of South Florida where many swordfish go to spawn. Since the fishery off the coast of Florida is mostly a catch-and-release activity for recreational anglers, many of the fishermen were more than willing to allow Dr. Block to tag their fish. In order to tag the fish as quickly as possible without harming the overall health of the fish, she used a tennis ball with a line attached to throw from one boat to the other. By doing this, she was able to successfully transfer the fish from the other boat, bring it aboard, place the tag just below the dorsal fin, and then return the fish to the water unharmed all within a matter of minutes. Her efforts proved to be more than purely data collection. The ability to boat fish and release them alive and healthy is helpful in informing recreational anglers how to handle swordfish without harming them. Her successful research has plays a major role in the protection of the species both off South Florida and the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. Dr. Block has remained steadfast in her study in hope of tagging a large quantity of fish leading to higher recapture rates thus allowing for more data to be collected. In recent data collection, “a team led by Stanford University marine biologist, Barbara Block used a set of high tech tags to monitor swordfish movements” (Block). In her studies, “to better understand the fish, Block and her colleagues in collaboration with sport and commercial fishermen in 1996 to tag 377 swordfish in the Western Atlantic. So far, the team has recovered 49” (Block). The most important information that her study presents is not how many of the tagged fish were recaptured, but rather where the fish were recovered. Prior to her study, it was believed that the eastern and western populations had little to no contact with one another. Block's project dismissed these misleading myths by proving the exact opposite; “the study, which shed light on a number of swordfish traits, confirmed that populations in the western and eastern Atlantic mixed to a much larger degree than previously believed” (Block). This mixture of different bodies of fish further addresses the issue previously stated how US regulations may have little or no affect of the overall outcome of the species well-being. International governments must align with each other in order set commercial boundaries on swordfish harvesting in the Atlantic. Since NMFS was established, they have been aware that there are two main areas in which swordfish spawn. In studies conducted by Barbra Block and other marine biologists, “…Swordfish…frequent spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Mediterranean” (NMFS). Since these two areas are where the future of the swordfish stock relies; fishing was restricted to a certain extent in these places in attempt to relieve some of the stress on the fishery. When these two spawning grounds were identified, this led to the assumption that there were two separate populations of the species. “The NMFS manages the Atlantic swordfish as two separate management units (eastern and western Atlantic)” (Block). Block's recently finished study has the potential to completely renovate the existing policies of NMFS as we know them today. It is necessary for their policies to change immediately before further damage to the population is done if the swordfish is to have any chance in the future. Years of appalling supervision and inattentive thinking on everyone's part has negatively affected the American recreational anglers on the East Coast beyond belief. The East Coast anglers have suffered for decades by having far fewer chances than European fisherman simply because the way in which the quotas were allocated. Analyzing commercial fishing data, NMFS found that “currently, the quotas for the Western Atlantic fisheries is one twelfth the quotas for the Eastern Atlantic fisheries, which include the Mediterranean Sea”(NMFS). This information led many American fishermen to believe that within a few years of following the plan, their swordfish populations would be on the rebound with these conservation efforts finally paying off. Unfortunately for everyone, the bounce back never occurred and nothing positive came from these conservation efforts. “Our study shows that Western swordfish are vulnerable to all swordfish stocks. They are currently managed as if they are only vulnerable to Western fisheries,” announced Dr. Barbara Block (Block). The fish that the Americans were saving by following the quota distributions were swimming across the Atlantic Ocean where the European fisherman would then proceed to slaughter them unbeknownst to the conservation minded American recreational anglers. The European over-harvesting of these magnificent beasts definitely had an impact on American commercial fisherman; however, the impact was no where near as severe on them as it was on the recreational anglers. The NMFS, despite having such small quotas to allocate, never failed in favoring the commercial fishermen in their distribution of the quotas. Many people agree that the NMFS simply overlooked many people who make their living as charter captains in this country. People also concluded that the NMFS neglected the fact that sport fishing brings billions of dollars to coastal towns up and down the East Coast of this country. The fact of the matter is, recreational fisherman have the smallest potential to harvest a large amount of Atlantic swordfish out of any category of fishermen. Long-liners, who bait miles of hooks, do far more damage to the fishery in one day than a recreational fisherman could capture in an entire month using the standard rod-and-reel method. The “wonderful” NMFS provided the following statistics for commercial swordfish landings: “As of 10-27-06 fishing year landings of Atlantic swordfish are as follows: The coast wide General category has landed 125.7 mt out of 908.3 mt to date. The Harpoon category: 23.1 mt out of 90.0 mt to date. Longline North: 14.5 mt out of 116.3 mt to date. Longline South: 4.8 mt out of 72.1 mt to date. Trap category: 0.0 mt out of 3.8 mt to date. Purse Seine category: 178.2 mt out of 530.0 mt to date” (NMFS). After calculating these numbers into one statistic, I found that commercial fisherman have landed 346.3 metric tons out of a possible 1720.5 metric tons. It is important to realize that the publication of these statistics took place towards the end of the year (only a little over a month in the year remaining). Judging from these figures that the NMFS published, there is no reason for recreational anglers to be punished in the manner that they currently are. As you can imagine charter boats have experienced a brutal lack of bookings as of late due to these ridiculously harsh limitations on this fishery. After all, who would want to charter a sport-fishing boat for some $1,500+ in hope of being able to ice down one swordfish? At the same time, private boat owners are being forced out of their sport due to high fuel costs and little meat return thanks to the absurd rules involving the swordfish. Barbara Block's study has proved that the entire management of the Atlantic swordfish needs to be completely renovated with fairer measures in favor of the American recreational anglers. There is no doubt that the swordfish population is in lots of trouble, but there is still much to discuss over the question of whether it is too late to correct the current system. The fact is, it is never too late to attempt to improve the situation. With the reconstruction of the current system, the possibility still exists for the elusive Swordfish to once again be an abundant predator of the deep. The fate of the “gladiators of the deep” is still today a toss up. There are ever improving regulations to help sustain the population of the species but only time will tell what the outcome will be. International groups are addressing the problem as we speak to coordinate a global plan to eliminate over fishing in our oceans and there are constant improvements on commercial gear to lower by-catch rates and juvenile harvesting. Yet, commercial pressure to maintain and even expand the swordfish quotas is still holding back the progress of conservation. Our best bet is to inform the public of what is occurring in our oceans and let them know how their part can play a role in the conservation of the species. With the work of Barbra Block and others affiliated with conservation research, the swordfish population has a promising future as long as everyone works together as one to accomplish this goal. Recreational and commercial fishermen alike rely on swordfish for their jobs and entertainment and the loss of the species would have a major impact on our economy. This fishery is a well rounded circle of commercial fishermen who rely on the meat for income, and recreational persons expenses on equipment for catching these elusive predators. Swordfish along with other pelagic species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem and the collapse of any of these species may have a dramatic affect on our marine environment. If we all do our part toward the conservation of the species, there will be a more productive outcome for everyone. For more information on swordfish conservation and progress, visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ keyword: swordfish Literature Citations 1. Forsgren, Ted. “FEDS PUT SWORDFISH LONGLINE BOATS IN FLORIDA EAST COAST PROTECTED AREA FOR ‘RESEARCH’ PURPOSES. Coastal Conservation Association Florida. Jan 14. 2008. http://www.ccaflorida.org/press_releases/2008/01_14_08_pr.html 2. "Commercial Landings of Bluefin Tuna." NMFS Permit Shop News. 27 Oct. 2006. National Marine Fisheries Services. 17 Apr. 2007 . 3. Magnuson, John J., Carl Safina, and Michael P. Sissenwine. "Whose Fish Are They Anyway?." Science Aug. 2001 4. Prothro, Charles. "Barbara A. Block." Stanford Marine Sciences. Stanford University. 17 Apr. 2007 . 5. Leech, Michael. "Bouy Drop." Marlin Magazine: Conservation Nov. 2007: 36.
1 comment:
Keegan Bird
5/7/08
Timed Writing
In Campbell’s writings, he describes the hero’s journey that outlines the events most stories have in their adventure. Every hero goes through the process of departure, initiation, and return on their journey along with a series of tests and obstacles that prove the hero worthy of the journey they are on. Throughout the semester, we examined a few stories including Ernest Hemingway’s, Indian Camp, and Hills Like White Elephants, that follow the three steps to a hero’s journey.
The Hills Like White Elephants is a short story about a couple on a train that can’t stop arguing about everything they mention. Their journey departs when the couple gets ready to board the train and have a few drinks before it arrives. Then, they go through a series of simple, meaningless arguments starting the initiation, where they realize their fault in arguing and still manage to keep doing so. After an extensive road of trials at the station waiting for the train, their departure arrives as the train pulls up and they can leave their journey and move on with the train. This story shows how a hero’s journey does not necessarily take place over a lifetime, but rather a short time frame that subjects someone to a series of trials that can change the way someone looks at a certain aspect of life. In this story, the couple realizes that the reason for all their arguments is the fact that they love each other and just want them to be happy.
The Indian Camp is a story about a father and child who participate in the birth of and Indian baby and witness the struggles they deal with on any given day. Their journey departs when the two row down the lake to the Indian camp and meet with the birthing mother and family. The initiation, for the boy, Nick, is observing the screaming Indian mother giving birth to the child and watching the chaos around the room, as well as seeing his father work to save the mothers life as well as the newborn child. The departure for Nick is then witnessing the death of the birthing mothers husband and realizing the struggles in life that people have to deal with. The story ends with paddle back across the river and the two reminiscing about the situations they just witnesses.
Joseph Campbell describes the way a person travels through life the journeys they encounter. This relates to the creation of my Project Three work in that through my journey I have become familiar with commercial fishing and the rules and regulations that follow them. My project consisted of a letter two three major fishing magazines that frequently publish articles about my topic. My journey lead to the passion I have for recreational fishing and the destruction commercial fishing does to our marine environment.
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