Members Ready To Celebrate National Fishing & Boating Week
Updated schedule of events now available.
DC Metro-Area Youth Kick Off
National Fishing and Boating Week celebrates June 1-9.
Monday, June 3
8:00 — 12 noon Constitutional Gardens Fishing event
8:00 — 12 noon Trade and Commerce Subcommittee, ASA Government Affairs, ASA Conference Room
1:30 — 5:00 p.m. Freshwater Subcommittee, ASA Government Affairs, ASA Conference Room
1:30 — 5:00 p.m. Saltwater Subcommittee, ASA Government Affairs, President’s Office
4:00 — 5:00 p.m. Counting of ASA Board election ballots, Vice President’s Office
6:00 — 8 :00 p.m. ASA Member Welcoming Reception, ASA Office
Tuesday, June 4
8:00 — 11:30 a.m. ASA Finance Committee, President’s Office
8:00 — 11:30 a.m. ASA Recruitment and Education Committee, RBFF Offices, 601 North Fairfax Street, Suite 104, Alexandria, VA
8:00 — 11:30 a.m. ASA Government Affairs, ASA Conference Room
Noon — 5:00 p.m. Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Bd. Meeting, RBFF Offices, 601 North Fairfax Street, Suite 104, Alexandria, VA
1:00 — 5:00 p.m. ASA member visits to Congressional offices and resource agency administrators
5:30 — 7:30 p.m. National Fishing and Boating Week Reception, Senate Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, June 5
9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. ASA member visits to Congressional offices and resource agency administrators
6:00 — 9:00 p.m. NOAA Fish Fry, Department of Commerce Building Court Yard (Enter from the 14th entrance)
Thursday, June 6
6:00 — 9:00 p.m. Rise to the Future Reception, Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell Offices, 555 Eleventh St., NW 6th Floor, Washington, D.C.
More than 500 schoolchildren from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia are going fishing for the first time Monday, June 3 on the National Mall at Constitution Gardens to launch National Fishing and Boating Week 2002.
The kick-off is just one of thousands of community events held during the annual nationwide observance of these two hugely popular outdoor pastimes. During National Fishing and Boating Week, celebrated June 1-9 this year, numerous states offer free fishing days, allowing people to fish without a license. Information on free fishing days and nationwide event listings can be found on www.waterworkswonders.org.
There are some 50 million anglers and 70 million boaters who enjoy these great American traditions. In communities across the country, National Fishing and Boating Week unites sportsmen’s groups, local businesses and national corporations, civic organizations, and government at all levels in sponsoring special fishing events that encourage America’s youngsters to care about and enjoy the outdoors along with their families.
"National Fishing and Boating Week encourages families to fish together as one of the best ways to have meaningful and memorable experiences," said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "With all the tragedy and uncertainty our country has faced over the last several months, we especially hope this year’s events will give America’s families a way to find solitude in the outdoors."
More than 150 partner volunteers will be on hand from 8:00 a.m. — 12 noon at Constitution Gardens, located between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, to teach children fishing techniques, angler ethics and safety, and aquatic conservation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams will lead the children in the ceremonial "first cast" at around 10:30 a.m. The students–all fourth, fifth, and sixth graders–will use donated fishing gear to try catching sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass in Constitution Gardens pond.
Volunteers include leaders and representatives from conservation organizations; the fishing and boating industry; federal land and water management agencies; the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture Departments; and the District of Columbia government.
"It may surprise people, but fishing and boating have always been big in Washington, where we have two major rivers literally at our doorstep," said Ira Palmer, Chief of the District of Columbia Fisheries and Wildlife Division. "We’re going to do our best to see that young people’s interest in these activities doesn’t end when the sun sets on June 3."
The National Fishing Week observance began in 1979, when industry and conservation leaders, state natural resource agencies, and anglers organized a unified effort to introduce more young people to the sport and outdoor conservation. Last year, the observance was changed to National Fishing and Boating Week, recognizing the popularity and natural linkage of both outdoor pastimes.
Fishing and boating contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, supporting millions of jobs and adding billions of dollars to state tax revenues through equipment purchases and tourism-related expenses. In addition, anglers and boaters fund a huge portion of U.S. conservation programs, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars each year to state conservation and recreation programs through taxes on gear and fuel. These funds also pay for National Fishing and Boating Week promotions and other outreach led by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Excise taxes are collected and distributed under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program (often referred to as Wallop-Breaux after its Congressional champions), managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
National Fishing and Boating Week Steering Committee members include the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association, American Fisheries Society, American Recreation Coalition, American Sportfishing Association, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Boat U.S. Foundation, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Catalyst Marketing Services, Connecticut Marine Trades Association, District of Columbia Fisheries and Wildlife Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, Friends of the Potomac, Inner City Fishing Institute, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Izaak Walton League of America, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Inc., Marine Retailers Association of America, Mark LaBarbera Associates, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, National Marine Distributors Association, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Park Service, National Safe Boating Council, Northwest Marine Trade Association, Plano Molding Company, Pure Fishing, Inc., Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Southern California Marine Association, Trout Unlimited, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and Wildlife Forever.
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