By an extremely slim margin ... actually a tie vote ... the wildlife subcommittee of the Tennessee Legislature voted down a bill that would have removed the 34-inch "trophy" catfish regulation in Tennessee.
The vote taken at around 10 am Tuesday, was a 3-to-3 tie which means the motion to remove the 34-inch regulation failed. A majority vote is required to move the bill to the full committee.
Rep. Richard Floyd (R), the representative from Hamilton County who is sitting on the sub-committee for the first time this year voted to keep the regulation in place.
Others who voted in support of the trophy regulation were Rep. Joe McCord (R) from Maryville and Rep. William Baird (R) from Jacksboro.
Those who voted in opposition of the current 34-inch trophy regulation included Rep. Willie Borchert (D) from Camden, Rep. George Fraley (D) from Winchester and Rep. John Tidwell (D) from New Johnsonville.
The bill was put forth by Rep. Borchert (D). Tuesday morning he said the regulation has severely impacted commercial fishermen in his district. He said some commercial fisherman have quit as a result of the regulation and its impact on their income.
"When you've lost as many jobs as I have you worry about this," said Rep. Borchert. "And they're (TWRA) trying to put these boys out of work too."
TWRA Asst. Director Nat Johnson countered that the regulation has had a very positive economic impact on the state. He says the regulation allows TWRA to promote Tennessee as a "trophy catfish" state and there has been a significant increase in professional catfishing tournaments and an influx of sportfishermen as a result.
Mike Butler with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, testified that his office has been inundated with calls and e-mails in support of the current regulation.