Swiss Ban Catch-and-Release

Yesterday Fly Talk's Kirk Deeter turned up a classic example of animal rights activism run wild. In Switzerland, new legislation designed to improve animal welfare includes a provision that "it is not permitted to go fishing with the 'intention' to release the fish." That caught they eye of anglers all over Europe, who want the Swiss to change the legislation before it is too late."It's believed that the legislation could affect as many as 275,000 anglers in Switzerland, who generate around 30 million Euros in annual tackle sales. EFTTA (European Fishing Tackle Trade Association) acting president, Pierangelo Zanetta, said: 'EFTTA does not believe that forcing anglers to kill their catches is either good for nature or for recreational sport fishing - which makes a significant financial contribution to the EU economy.'"
(END)

We all (myself included), laugh at times about groups like PETA and other "granola crunchers", and their often flamboyant attempts at attacking we fishermen and hunters. But we also need to take them very seriously as well.
The above article and links, are a perfect example of "what can happen to our sport, if we're not more diligent in keeping track of these organizations" and what they're up to in our fish and wildlife governing bodies.