Fire Island, New York Surf Report

One of the most effective ways throughout history of subduing a group of people has been by using the tactic of divide and conquer. The Europeans, especially the British, were so successful at playing two groups off of each other that they created an empire where “the sun never set.” White Americans continued the practice to destroy the Native American tribes and create an empire from “sea to shining sea.” All they had to do was buy off one group to do their bidding or simply sit back and arm the tribes that were hostile to one another and watch them destroy each other. It is a common practice in politics and goes into all levels of society…get them fighting with each other, even though they share a common interest, and the distraction will allow those in the background to get what They want. Now I know comparing the surfer vs. fisherman dispute to empire building is grand; but at the same time it’s really not.

A little local history now. LIBBA which stands for Long Island Beach Buggy Association comes into existence and adopts the slogan; “To preserve and protect…not prohibit.” The organization goes from a small group of fisherman to a sprawling conglomerate that politicians are mindful off. They do good things such as beach clean-ups, dune grass planting and fundraisers and more. Most importantly they fight for the right to drive on our beaches. With all these positive efforts why am I about to criticize them? Because like our government…the power has gone to their heads! They take money from anyone who wants to join…many who don’t even fish! Yet they fight for only their own (fishing) rights and want to exclude others. They basically believe the beaches are theirs exclusively. This is from the LIBBA website under history:

The Long Island Beach Buggy Association was founded in 1958 by a small group of people who were dedicated to beach access and conservation. They had the foresight to protect and preserve our beautiful shores here on Long Island. It is because of these volunteers and the many that have followed that we can drive and fish on Breezy Point, Gilgo Beach, Cedar Beach, Democrat Point, Fins, Smith Point, Great Gun, Cupsogue, Shinnecock, South Hampton, East Hampton, Neapague, Hither Hills, Shagwong, and Montauk Point. During its 50 year existence LIBBA has, and will continue to lead the way in conservation and beach access. Many changes have occurred over the years, but LIBBA’s main objectives remain the same, to protect and preserve our beautiful beaches. We, as did our founders, will continue to press on for the future generations. We remain, Keepers of the Beach www.libba.com

Now back in 1958 the beach was a much different place. Surfing was at best a seasonal sport with a handful of dedicated players on Long Island. The beaches were empty except for the main bathing areas during the summer season. Endangered plants and birds were of no concern. It’s not hard to imagine how they came up with the “keepers of the beach” credo. Unfortunately (for them) the beaches have undergone huge changes. Today we have a thriving surf scene on Long Island. Because of environmental groups we have huge swaths of beach closed to protect endangered species, and millions of people flock to the beaches throughout the year. In that time LIBBA’s numbers exploded. If you read the mission statement above, nowhere does it say which groups have the right to the beach. All they state is their dedication to beach access and conservation..for future generations no less! Now that there are other groups who want to enjoy the same rights to our beaches...LIBBA has a problem.

Now I am not going to go into the politics and actual stances of LIBBA about equal access as I don’t know or really care. The problem I have is that LIBBA has created and fostered a belief (and that’s all it is) among its members that they are the only “keepers of the beach.” As a result you see LIBBA members call the park police when they see what they determine to be a breach of the rules. This would be fine by me if they did it for everything. But they only complain when it’s someone not following a rule they want enforced. LIBBA’s biggest issue is surfers on “their” beaches. They see one and they call the cops. They see someone else littering or not airing down or not “actively fishing” and nothing is said. It seems surfing is the biggest crime on the beach. A bigger crime than the fisherman who drove over the dunes last fall to fish Demo? That act alone closed the beaches for weeks. A bigger crime than the insane amount of pollution fisherman leave on the beach..including their illegal beer bottles? I don’t think so. As a result of this singling out and selective enforcement, over the years many surfers have been “arrested” for surfing…even though if you plea not guilty it will be thrown out since you can’t regulate where a person can go in the ocean…not yet at least!

In turn this has created animosity among the surfing community about LIBBA/fisherman. It didn’t/doesn’t have to be this way! I cannot speak for the actions of others. Both groups have their good and bad people. Overall both groups get along. How many times a year can either side say they have a direct conflict with the other group? The stars have to be aligned for a true showdown where there are fish and waves in the same spot. But it seems all it takes is that one incident to foster resentment and a desire to “do something about it.” Below are some of the quotes that I have encountered from LIBBA stooges:

“What makes surfers think they have a right to our beaches?” “The Laws are in place for the safety of all. But that's not good enough for you (surfers) either. I remember when the greedy surfers pushed for permits to drive out to Demo as well. They tried slipping that one under the radar but it was luckily shot down like a ton of bricks.” “It starts with surfers…they must educate themselves” “If surfcasters have to share the beach with the surfers, then there should be a "Surfers Registry" just like the licensing we will be obliged to in October. It is after all a person water craft.” “Surfers feel they have nothing to lose by surfing in a restricted area where they are banned from. Fishermen have all to lose. Local phone numbers are available on the DEC website. Fishermen have to report the violations of the law or they chance losing their right to fish at that spot. Enough phone calls will increase patrols in that area. I do not look at it as blowing the whistle on someone, I look at it as preserving MY right.”

These attitudes were nurtured by LIBBA and have contributed to the problem. It has made two groups with a common interest look at each other with contempt. As we fight among ourselves each year we pay more and more for the pass (which by the way is sold to ANYONE with a 4X4 regardless of whether they are anglers or not…it seems the state and county just want our money as well) and get less and less access to OUR beaches. One day we will both wake up “beachless” if this continues…just like the Native Americans!

Note: A major problem for LIBBA going forward is that more and more people surf AND fish. Oh what a decision they will have to make: take the membership money or stand up for a belief! More and more beachgoers see the hypocrisy of LIBBA selectively enforcing rules and are tired of it. Yeah they can call the cops and play holier than thou but the problem lies with their attitude, for which the leadership of LIBBA should take full responsibility for. Maybe they should take a good look in the mirror and ask the question: “How come when there’s a problem, I’m always there?” Question to the reader: How many times a year have you actually had a conflict with the other group while on the beach?