Sportfishing Industry Contributes to Summer Flounder Fishery
Research
Alexandria, VA—February 28, 2008—The American
Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s
trade association, is showing its support for summer flounder anglers
by assisting the Save the
Summer Flounder Fund (SSFF) in raising money for their efforts.
The Fund was founded by a coalition of individuals, angler groups and
businesses in the Mid-Atlantic states whose livelihoods are dependent
on a healthy and vibrant recreational fishing industry.
ASA, along with its members American Rod & Gun and Henry’s/Big
Rock Sports, is contributing to the Fund by donating a Mako 17-foot,
center console boat with accessories to be raffled off on June 28, 2008,
during an SSFF event in Brielle, New Jersey. Tickets will be available
at the ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition Saltwater Fishing
Expo, Garden Sate Exhibit Center, March 14 – 16, in Somerset, New
Jersey. The price is $20.00 per ticket. The monies raised by ASA will
go towards scientific research regarding summer flounder stock assessments
and management.
Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO, says, “Rebuilding our fish
stocks goes hand in hand with good fisheries management. As an association,
we have been, are and will be on the side of using the most up-to-date
and reliable science in order to manage our fisheries. This applies to
both fresh and saltwater species.”
Nussman further said, “ASA supports provisions that not only aim
to end overfishing of all species, but also aim to minimize the adverse
impacts of fisheries management measures on communities who depend on
recreational fishing. With the summer flounder stocks in the best shape
they have been in for the last 40 years, it makes little sense to put
people out of business today so that we can provide them with better
business in five years.”
David Arbeitman, owner and president of the Reel Seat, Inc., Brielle,
New Jersey, and a founding member of SSFF says, “I am encouraged
that the American Sportfishing Association recognizes and understands
the problems facing anglers in the Mid-Atlantic states. I want to thank
Mike Nussman, ASA’s Board of Directors and the association’s
members for their contributions to help our efforts to apply better science
to the summer flounder problem.”
The raffle follows New Jersey rules for games of chance. Tickets for
the raffle are available at the Saltwater
Fishing Expo, on the SSFF
Web site and at selected tackle dealers. Entrants must be 18
years or older to enter. The winner will be responsible for picking
up the boat at the designated dealer. There will be no cash in lieu
of the boat. For questions about the raffle, contact David Arbeitman,
the Reel Seat, at (732) 223 – 5353.
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The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s
trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the
entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice,
speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state
and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler
advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies
could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself.
We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong
and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social,
economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also
represents the interests of America’s 40 million anglers who generate
over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s
economy creating employment for over one million people.
