A periodic information source for members of the American Sportfishing Association and partners on issues of importance to the future of fishing
January 9, 2003
Profile of Your Typical Angler: Following on the heels of ASA’s Sportfishing in America report, we’re proud to announce the development of a series of more specific statistical reports that can serve as a valuable resource for the sportfishing community. The first report, to be rolled out in March, focuses on the demographics, expenditures, and target species of the typical American angler. It will be sent to all ASA members and made available on-line at www.asafishing.org under "Fishing Statistics." For more information, contact Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703-519-9691 x222, fdarby@asafishing.org.
New Developments on MPA’s: A recent petition brought forth by fishing groups in California may temporarily halt extensive fishing closures in recently designated marine protected areas in California, which were supposed to take effect January 1. A pending review is expected to determine whether the commissioners who voted for these closures represented the quorum needed for such decisions…..ASA President Mike Nussman, Rip Cunningham of Saltwater Sportsman magazine, Bill Shedd of AFTCO, and ASA’s Legal Counsel Bob Hayes met with leaders from the environmental community in New York recently on marine protected area policies and other marine issues…..Last week, the Interior and Commerce Departments announced final candidates for a national marine protected area federal advisory committee, including Nussman, giving us a greater chance to represent sportfishing interests when marine policies are developed…..ASA is joining the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus during the Miami Boat Show next month to discuss growing concerns about restrictions to saltwater fishing.
ASA Leads Saltwater Rallying: The second conference on the management of saltwater recreational fishing, sponsored by the National Marine Fisheries Service and originally planned for February, has been postponed indefinitely. In tandem with other recreational fishing organizations, ASA backed out of the meeting last week, raising concerns that the conference agenda missed the mark by not addressing key issues facing the recreational community. Commerce Department leadership then agreed to meet with principals from the saltwater recreational community for a separate gathering to discuss ways to improve communications, develop more effective management tools, and further understanding of the recreational community and its issues. For more information, contact Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703-519-9691.
Luring New Dealers: As part of special promotions during the Henry’s and AWR shows this month, 28 sportfishing manufacturers are helping to promote the values of ASA membership and offering paybacks for new dealer members to subsidize their membership costs. Speaking of dealers, anyone who needs a comprehensive list of dealers may contact Membership Director Ric Ice, or Programs Assistant Ann Sweeney, 703-519-9691. We also extend a warm welcome to 9 new members who recently joined ASA: Bron’s International Trading Ltd.; Izuo Brothers; Kinami Baits, LLC; Mojo Lure Company; Ruggiero Seafood Inc.; St. Croix Rods; Shamrock Productions, Inc.; Suick Lure Manufacturing; and Techsonic Industries, Inc. Contact information for these companies is available on our website, www.asafishing.org under "Membership," or from Programs Assistant Ann Sweeney, 703-519-9691.
Policy Watch—Wallop-Breaux: We’re reaching closure on negotiations among fishing and boating partners relating to reauthorization of amendments to the Sport Fish Restoration Act. ASA President Mike Nussman recently met with Senator John Breaux, gaining valuable feedback to take to the American League of Anglers and Boaters, the coalition developing our goals and strategies to ensure key provisions are addressed in reauthorization.
Water Works Wonders for Product Sales: Manufacturer members can take advantage of a unique opportunity to participate in special Water Works Wonders promotions that target consumers, especially during the busy summer season. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has developed a conceptual coupon book that will offer product discounts and will be distributed to more than a million anglers and boaters at sportfishing and boating shows and community events. More information on these promotions was recently mailed to manufacturers, inviting companies to participate by offering product discounts in the coupon book as a way to boost advertising and sales. For more information, contact RBFF on 703-519-0013.
Chesapeake Bay Gets Boost from FishAmerica: Next week the FishAmerica Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Trust will announce a 4-year, $400,000 partnership for Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay watershed during a dinner and press event in Annapolis. In other news, the Brunswick Public Foundation just gave another $20,000 grant to FishAmerica for coastal conservation projects, the third such investment from Brunswick in 4 years. For more information, contact the FishAmerica Foundation’s Acting Director Johanna DeGroff, 703-519-9691.
Education on the Fly: The Future Fisherman Foundation is working with Trout Unlimited, Federation of Fly Fishers, Community Fly Fishers, and Family Tyes to create a fly fishing resource and equipment package to assist grassroots organizations, including schools, in promoting fly fishing—stay tuned for more details. Other upcoming education efforts include training sessions for instructors in Delaware and the District of Columbia on how to teach "Hooked On Fishing—Not On Drugs." ASA members interested in learning more about this program are welcome to attend these or any other training sessions. For more information, contact Assistant Director Laura Jerome, 703-519-9691.
Briefly Noted: Watch your mail for ASA’s new report, Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime, sent to all ASA members, states, and other partners, as well as to media and Congress (it’s also on our website, www.asafishing.org under "Fishing Statistics")…..Mark your calendars for National Fishing and Boating Week, June 1-8. ASA members are strongly encouraged to participate in events and activities in Washington that showcase sportfishing with Congress and media…..Our best wishes to Cathy Short, Assistant Director for Fisheries with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who announced her upcoming retirement in March…President Mike Nussman, Vice President Gordon Robertson, and members of ASA’s Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee, led by Freshwater Subcommittee Chair Tom Bedell of Pure Fishing, are making a trip to Japan in early February for an information exchange on bass fishing, fish licensing, and fisheries management. The group will visit with Japanese government officials, the Japan Sportfishing Association, and the Japanese Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association Trade Show.
President’s Corner: The last two years have been challenging times for our industry, and now it seems the tide may finally be turning. Even Mother Nature is making up for last Summer’s widespread droughts, giving us plenty of water even in places where the lakes were so low people couldn’t use their boat ramps. And there are some good signs closer to home, boding well for business in 2003. Some of our retailer members are reporting a stronger-than-expected surge in sales over the holidays, and it’s good to hear the optimism in your voices again. On the West Coast, I understand pre-registration for the early dealer shows are up, and the same goes for the Henry’s show taking place right now. I look forward to joining many of you at the Henry’s show tomorrow and Saturday, and especially want to hear from more members to get a broader sense of how things are looking for you.
We’re optimistic as an association, and I can speak for all of us at ASA in saying that’s largely because we’ve listened to what you’ve asked of us and we’re more focused than ever on delivering those things that support you the most. When I became president over a year ago, it was pretty daunting to think about all the things we needed to do to be the kind of professional, credible trade association you wanted us to be. We’ve come a long way to be sure, and there’s still a lot we can and will do. This is going to be a pivotal year, and with some shared optimism and perseverance, I’m confident we can all turn some tides of our own.
