I think the self certification is a responsibility entrusted to us by the authorities monitoring the Invasive Species. It may be an additional pain running a tournament but those that don't wish to jump on board in helping to protect our waters and keep them open for our pleasure probably shouldn't be on board in the first place.

As far as those participating in a charitable event and don't wish to comply are probably those mentioned in the Candlewood Lake Report who would only serve to give residents on the lake more reason to try to stop us from participating on the lakes we fish.

Last year I was on a lake. We were drifting by some docks. The property owner came out flipping a lid. Describing what we as fisherman do to destroy the waters.

I identified my self as a State Law Enforcement Officer once I got a word in edgewise 10 minutes later. Then I got an ass chewing for not doing enough to stop the boats that do stupid stuff that make us look bad.

Now we can't blame clubs and tournament venues, the individual public are just as much if not more to blame. I believe that club members and avid anglers understand the issues and go the extra yard to help reduce the problem.

Complying with the DEP or agency trying to enforce this issue is only doing us a favor by placing us in a more responsible area of fishing in the public eye. The public and authorities, knowing that we belong to a club that go the extra yard to show we care about the waters we fish and the public that shares the waters with us will hold us in a more respectful view and will most likely be less demeaning towards a club member when they see us fishing.

In conclusion, the problem is not solely our fault but we are part of the problem and the first to have a finger pointed at. The authorities pursuing this are working keep the waters open for us to fish. Our failure to assist or comply will simply have the body of water closed not only to us but all boaters.