A periodic information source for members of the American Sportfishing Association and partners on issues of importance to the future of fishing
April 7, 2003
Make the Most of ICAST: Don't forget the April 28 deadline to get your company contact information into the official show guide for ICAST 2003, the ICAST Buyers' Guide, which also serves as a resource for the sportfishing community year-round. The sooner we get notice of your new products for the New Product Showcase and exhibitor show specials, the better we can promote what you're offering and reinforce your efforts to appeal to buyers in the Buyers' Guide and elsewhere. Pre-registration for the show, coming up July 9-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is open through June 6 and can be completed on-line. We also have special materials that can help with your targeted promotions leading up the show. For more information, contact ICAST Director Maria del Valle, 703.519.9691 x240
Help Launch National Fishing & Boating Week: We’ASA-sponsored
activities lined up for National Fishing and Boating Week take place
June 2-5 this year, including our Partners Reception on Capitol Hill
June 3, a Congressional breakfast briefing with the Congressional Sportsmen's
Caucus on June 4 (sponsored by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation),
seminars on Congressional advocacy and hot issues for sportfishing, visits
with Members of Congress and government leaders, and ASA committee meetings
(Government Affairs and its three sub-committees, Communications, and
Finance, as well as the Future Fisherman Foundation Board of Directors).
On June 2, the traditional fishing event for hundreds of children will
kickoff the week's activities here and across the country, as states
and communities sponsor free fishing days and thousands of events during
this nationwide observance, June 1-8 this year. Come help us make a good
showing with government leaders who make decisions that affect your livelihood.
For more information, contact Policy Fellow Deanna Wood, 703.519.9691 x228.
Tariff Threat Abated: Because of ASA's
successful advocacy over the last several months, a previous threat of
a 100 percent tariff on American-made fishing tackle exported to Europe
has been almost completely quelled, with only a few remaining items still
being negotiated. The European Union had threatened this tariff last
Fall as part of retaliation for larger trade disagreements with the U.S.
For more information, contact Membership Director Ric Ice, 703.519.9691 x234.
Tackle Box Tax Redux: The U.S. House of Representatives' passage of a legislative measure that would eliminate the Wallop-Breaux excise tax on tackle boxes made national news recently. Since then, many members have inquired about ASA's position on the measure. While recognizing the disadvantage the tax places on some manufacturers when competing with similar untaxed dual-purpose products (an issue that extends beyond tackle boxes), ASA has formally opposed eliminating the excise tax on tackle boxes. Instead, ASA urged Congressional Committee Members to consider similar situations with dual-purpose products and ensure the Treasury Department applies the tax equitably to all who market boxes for fishing tackle. For more information, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
Consensus on Lead Sinkers in MN: Working together, a coalition of industry leaders in Minnesota, state legislators, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reached consensus on new legislative language affecting the manufacture, sale, and use of lead fishing tackle in that state. The ASA Trade and Commerce Sub-Committee's position paper on the lead sinker issue gave a strong basis of information for the negotiations. Replacing previously introduced legislation calling for an all-out ban on lead tackle weighing one ounce or less, the state's Omnibus Game and Fish Bill instead makes provisions aimed at education on lead tackle and the availability of non-lead products. For more information, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
Opportunities Abound to Reach New Anglers:
As the Future Fisherman Foundation expands its reach in supporting angler
education across the country, new avenues are opening up all around.
A new effort with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Kansas bodes well for
a national partnership that's especially promising because of the importance
of mentors for new anglers and the potential to help disadvantaged youth.
The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies also just
awarded the foundation a new $150,000 grant for our efforts to support
4-H sportfishing programs for youth groups nationwide. In addition, four
more states have expressed interest in adopting Hooked On Fishing-Not
On Drugs as a key education program. With these kinds of partnerships
sprouting, it's no coincidence that we've coordinated distribution of
$70,000-worth of fishing equipment already this year, thanks to support
from numerous ASA members who offer discounted prices on gear to advance
the Future Fisherman Foundation's angler education programs. For more
information, contact Executive Director Anne Glick, 703.519.9691 x238.
Good Cause to Celebrate: As the FishAmerica Foundation celebrates its 20th year of successful support for grassroots conservation, we've checked the tally and we're proud to say that, with support from numerous partners and the sportfishing industry, we've provided more than $6 million in grants for more than 735 community conservation projects to restore fisheries and improve fishing opportunities across the country. With generous sponsorship from Plano Molding Company, Acting FishAmerica Director Johanna DeGroff soon appears on Focus Outdoors television on the Outdoor Life Network to share the good news about these conservation successes. For more information, contact Acting Director Johanna DeGroff, 703.519.9691 x245.
Balancing Fishery and Energy Needs: On the surface, national energy legislation may not seem relevant to fishing access, but ASA is appealing to Congressional Committee Members leading the charge on this package to ensure the hydropower licensing and re-licensing process continues to require mitigation for the needs of fish and guarantee access to angling in reservoirs and other fishing hotspots. For more information, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
Another Good Showing: We're celebrating
another successful year for the three ASA/Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Travel
and Boat shows, held in Long Beach, Del Mar, and Ventura, California
each Spring. Attendance and sales at all three shows were great this
year. This is promising as the Board of Directors considers the potential
for ASA to purchase other consumer shows as a way to bridge efforts with
anglers and boaters and raise revenue for advocacy efforts on behalf
of ASA members. For more information, contact Membership Director Ric
Ice, 703.519.9691 x234.
Water Works Wonders Spring Splash:
The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation is again gearing up
for its Water Works Wonders Spring promotional splash just before National
Fishing and Boating Week. About 100 television spots and more than 10
print ads in popular magazines will give great exposure for fishing
and boating and encourage people to get out on the water with their
friends and families. So far, the total marketing value of sportfishing
and boating companies and state fish and wildlife agencies' use of Water
Works Wonders materials is worth more than $4 million. For more information,
contact Communications Director Janet Tennyson, 703.519.9691 x227;
or RBFF's Communications Director, Kirk
Gillis, 703.519.0013.
Briefly Noted: A California judge denied a lawsuit brought earlier this year by a coalition of anglers against the state's Fish and Game Commission; angler groups protest the approach used to establish the 175-square-mile network of marine reserves that ban fishing around the Channel Islands.....Find out about new partnerships that offer discounts on marketing services from Innavision and The Worth Group..... We've just completed official Congressional testimony for the record for five federal agencies with a significant role in managing our nation's fisheries, highlighting areas needing more investments and applauding good measures in a few key areas.....ASA is convening industry and national fisheries conservation leaders in May in Craig, Montana, to evaluate and plan new long-term strategies for fisheries conservation policy.....Save the date for the Sportfishing Summit, planned for October 1-3 at Ocean Reef Resort in Key Largo, Florida.
President's Corner
The circumstances affecting sportfishing businesses right now are not uncommon for most industries in the United States and around the world, as everything ranging from terrorism to war to mysterious new diseases is having an impact on the global economy. What's different from most challenges we've faced before is many of these factors are far beyond our control. In times like this, I especially find our investments in the future to be a great source of hope.
Today, you can take stock in the great strides your Future Fisherman Foundation is making to educate future generations of anglers. The foundation is the vital link between the sportfishing industry and a nationwide network of outdoor educators, conservation groups, and national youth organizations that bring the best fishing programs into neighborhoods across the country. Dozens of ASA members support the foundation by offering discounted equipment for community groups that introduce people to fishing, hosting Fishing Tackle Loaner Sites, and providing direct donations and sponsorships. Your investments are helping the Future Fisherman Foundation and that strong network of partners bring the fishing experience to a million new anglers every year.
Now is a good time to especially thank the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the umbrella organization for all our state fish and wildlife agency partners who share many interests with the sportfishing industry. Through major grant funding, the International has had a huge role in the Future Fisherman Foundation's growth and progress, especially through our fabulous state partners. That support is allowing the foundation to reach out through schools, camps, 4-H clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, conservation group chapters, and now even the Big Brothers and Big Sisters-what a wonderful new opportunity to make a difference for America's youth. I hope you're as proud as I am of your Future Fisherman Foundation, and your role in its success.
