A periodic information source for members of the American Sportfishing Association and partners on issues of importance to the future of fishing
February 28, 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 available online.
For info, contact Special Projects Director Forbes
Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Don’t Miss the Boat: We’re already moving into high gear for National Fishing and Boating Week, and we’re inviting all members and partners to be a part of this annual rallying to shine the spotlight on the values of sportfishing, especially on Capitol Hill. Activities are planned for June 2-5, including a major fishing event on the National Mall, a partners reception on Capitol Hill, visits with Members of Congress, issue briefings on hot fishing topics, and a breakfast gathering with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. While you’re at it, mark your calendar for ASA’s Sportfishing Summit, to be held October 1-3 at Ocean Reef Resort in Key Largo. Speaking of events, the show floor for ICAST 2003 is 95 percent sold, and booths are going much faster than previous years. For info, check out Shows and Events or call 703.519.9691.
Going Global: ASA President Mike Nussman, Vice President Gordon Robertson, and members of the Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee traveled to Japan to work with counterparts in that country for a better understanding of the fishing marketplace, fisheries management, and fishing opportunities. This was a great opportunity for the American and Japanese sportfishing industries—the two largest in the world—to learn more from each other. For info, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
ALAB Position Paves the Way for Strong Fishing Investments: The American League of Anglers and Boaters, a coalition of 32 organizations led by ASA President Mike Nussman who serves as its Chair, reached consensus on a legislative position on funding allocations for fishing and boating programs covered by the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (Wallop-Breaux). This partnership will help pave the way for Congressional reauthorization of funding which collectively funnels hundreds of millions of dollars to state fish and wildlife agencies each year for fisheries conservation, fishing and boating education, and access facilities such as boat ramps and piers. It also pays for our Water Works Wonders Campaign. ALAB agreed to seek permanent and full funding for boating safety and push for a $10 million per year investment for the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation for the next 6 years to continue Water Works Wonders. The group also will seek credit for payments of boating gas taxes that were kept by the U.S. Treasury instead of used for fishing and boating programs. For info, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
Help Spread the Word about Freedom to Fish:
With help from an advertising firm, ASA has created new Freedom to Fish
ads encouraging angler advocacy for common sense approaches on marine
protected areas. We’re asking our members to donate space in magazines,
catalogues, and Internet sites in support of this effort to protect
fishing access. For info or electronic versions of the ads, contact
Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Minnesota Members Make Their Voices Heard: Advocacy on the part of 20 ASA members in Minnesota led the State Senate to drop its proposed highly restrictive lead sinker legislation earlier this month. Proposed legislation is still pending in the State House. ASA is supporting members’ efforts by working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and state legislators to promote appropriate conservation policy decisions and an understanding of potential impacts of such policies. For info, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
Hooking Future Anglers: The Future
Fisherman is preparing for four major conferences that will greatly expand
the reach of its programs to tens of thousands of people in the education
community. The foundation and its nationwide network of partners are
creating special promotional materials for a strong presence at the American
Camping Association Tri-State Conference; the National Science Teachers
Association Convention; the American Association of Health, Physical
Education, Recreation and Dance Conference; and the National Association
of Elementary School Principals Convention. For info, contact Executive
Director Anne Glick, 703.519.9691 x238.
Tournament Partners Benefit FishAmerica: Special thanks to the North American Crappie Association for some creative fund-raising as part of their tournament trail that netted a $5,000 donation to the FishAmerica Foundation. FishAmerica is also teaming up again with FLW Outdoors and the Wal-Mart Tournaments to restore fisheries at many of the Wal-Mart FLW, RCL Walleye, and Bass Fishing League Tournament sites. Over the last 2 years, FLW Outdoors and Wal-Mart tournaments have generated more than $145,000 in donations to FishAmerica for community conservation projects. For info, contact Acting Director Johanna DeGroff, 703.519.9691 x245.
Tournament Partners Benefit FishAmerica: Special thanks to the North American Crappie Association for some creative fund-raising as part of their tournament trail that netted a $5,000 donation to the FishAmerica Foundation. FishAmerica is also teaming up again with FLW Outdoors and the Wal-Mart Tournaments to restore fisheries at many of the Wal-Mart FLW, RCL Walleye, and Bass Fishing League Tournament sites. Over the last 2 years, FLW Outdoors and Wal-Mart tournaments have generated more than $145,000 in donations to FishAmerica for community conservation projects. For info, contact Acting Director Johanna DeGroff, 703.519.9691 x245.
New Faces at ASA: Portia Moore joined
the Future Fisherman Foundation as Coordinator of the National Physical
Education Grants Initiative. Portia has a degree in Health and Physical
Education and taught phys ed in the Maryland school system. More recently,
she worked at IBM and MCI/WorldCom. Deanna Wood is on board as a Policy
Fellow supporting our Government Affairs program. Deanna is a graduate
of Frostburg State University and has experience in policy with The Wildlife
Society. She plans to pursue a career in natural resource policy after
her stint with ASA. Please join us in giving Portia and Deanna a warm welcome to the sportfishing community.
Briefly Noted: We’re expanding our member benefits package to include discounts on business consulting services and design and marketing, and to address the distressed inventory movement; stay tuned for more information from Membership Director Ric Ice…ASA President Mike Nussman has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, an organization dedicated to elevating the profile of conservation issues in public policy-making and ensuring future opportunities for outdoor recreation…The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Dr. Mamie Parker, currently Northeast Regional Director, will soon take the helm of the agency’s
Fisheries program, and a new position on the Directorate will be dedicated solely to the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs, with responsibility for administering Wallop-Breaux.
President's Corner
For years we’ve been worried that our marine fisheries are in trouble. It only exacerbates the concern when we have a real void in the information about what’s going on with the fish out there. That’s what made the Sustainable Fisheries Act so important back in 1996. For the first time, a federal law fully recognized the need to take a good look at the situation for ocean fish and build the road to recovery for hundreds of species. We have a long way to go, but that law was a huge milestone. Anglers, boaters, and everyone else who cares about healthy oceans could finally see a path for progress.
The sportfishing industry, and anglers and boaters themselves, have always had a real desire to be active in designing our conservation approaches, and we’re more than willing to take some responsibility for making progress. This past week, 80 representatives of the saltwater community had a great chance to do just that, and they stepped up. What’s more, leaders from the Commerce Department did, too.
During a gathering down in Florida, this group came up with some good recommendations for Commerce Department programs that should get us on a better course for the future. This was a great take-off, but we know it won’t all be smooth sailing. We have a lot of work to do to stay active in the recovery of our ocean fish and the policies that ensure the fishing and boating industries will share the benefits of strong conservation. ASA is going to stay right at the helm.
