CNN reports that researchers have discovered the deepest coral reef in the United States off the coast of Florida. At 250 feet deep, scientists were not even sure the reef could survive in such low sunlight. Of course now that they've discovered something neat, scientists feel compelled to preserve it. Naturally, they want to rein in the rights of everyone else, including others who also make their living from the sea.

Officials who oversee the gulf are now wondering how to preserve the reef.

The scientists' research has been presented to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, which will decide in the coming months whether to restrict fishing or trawling in the area.

Now, I understand that dragging fishing nets along the sea floor could potentially damage the reef. But so what? What right gives these scientists and conservationalists more access to the sea than anyone else? Most of the people that would come down on the side of conservation are people who would never visit the reef any way.

It seems to me that a fishery management whatever-it-is would have the job of preserving fishing waters for years to come. That is, they would manage fishing only such that waters don't become devoid of fish. I could see where they would want to limit the size and number of fish taken to preserve the sport and economy of fishing for generations to come. But lets hope they don't become a political pawn of environmental groups, who won't let you fill in that pothole in your back yard because they consider it a pristine wetlands.