A periodic information source for members of the American Sportfishing Association and partners on issues of importance to the future of fishing.
April 16, 2004
ICAST Update
There are now 350 ICAST exhibitors and an expanded show floor encompassing 1078 booths for ICAST 2004, July 14-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and nearly 100 exhibitors have already planned their show specials. ASA members, don't forget the April 26 deadline for getting company information into the ICAST Buyers' Guide and membership directory. Also on April 26, ASA will host a conference call open to all exhibitors (we especially encourage new exhibitors to participate) to support you in creating a successful show presence. On a related note, our new on-line exhibitor directory can greatly help companies increase their exposure and attract buyers, and we encourage you to check it out on our Web site under "Exhibitor Log In." Information on pre-registration, hotel and air travel discounts, show hours and events, and everything else related to ICAST is on our website, www.asafishing.org under Shows and Events. For more information, contact ICAST Director Maria del Valle, 703.519.9691 x240.
Ensure Your Shipments
If you're shipping materials to ICAST or any other shows, (Meridian) Roadway Express, an ASA member benefit provider, will guarantee delivery for all exhibit shipments inbound to any trade show site in the U.S. and Canada. Complete van-line service includes pad wrap, custom crating, and warehousing. Exhibit specialists are available 24/7 at 1.800.531.EXPO. You can also visit www.roadway.com for tips on
trade show exhibit shipping. All ASA members are eligible for discounts
from Roadway Express; call 1.800.636.2377 to find out more, or contact
Membership Director Ric Ice, 703.519.9691 x234.
Business Outlook Survey
ASA manufacturer members, keep an eye out for a fax from us next week
relating to industry sales trends. As part of a larger effort to expand
our statistics program as a better resource for the industry, we're
beginning with this quarterly Business Outlook Survey. This survey and
others like it will provide timely and reliable indicators of market
factors relevant to your business. For example, we'll also soon have
quarterly measures for fishing license sales, imports and exports, and
rainfall. These quarterly reports will be made available on a regular
basis on our Web site and in our newsletter in the future. For more
information, contact Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Board of Directors Elections
Keep an eye out for ballots for the election of six new members to ASA's Board of Directors, with terms beginning in October. Elections are open for three regional and three at-large seats (regional seats cover the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Northern Plains and Inter-Mountain regions). Ballots are due by May 31, 2004. For more information, contact Board Liaison Joyce Anderson-Logan, 703.519.9691 x233.
Another Big Stride for Wallop-Breaux
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed its major transportation bill including provisions for Wallop-Breaux reauthorization, similar to the Senate passage of SAFETEA in February. The House and Senate legislative measures are similar, but we still have some work to do with Congressional conference committee staff to ensure important policy language is included in the final bill package that goes to the President. The especially good news is the House version also included recovery of $110 million per year in Wallop-Breaux investments and other important measures advocated by ASA and the American League of Anglers and Boaters. For more information, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.519.9691 x237.
Freedom to Fish Introduced in Senate
A Senate version of the Freedom to Fish Act was introduced in March,
closely mirroring a bill introduced in the House of Representatives
last year. One of ASA's top legislative priorities, this bill introduction
is a big step forward in ensuring sensible approaches to the establishment
of marine protected areas and ensuring saltwater anglers' access to
coastal waters. For more information, contact Special Projects Director
Forbes Darby, 703.519.9691
x222.
Ocean Commission Report Forthcoming
The long-awaited report called for by President Bush in 2001 from the
U.S. Ocean Commission will be rolled out next week, setting the stage
for comprehensive ocean policy considerations by Congress and the Administration.
ASA is working with a number of partners to ensure the sportfishing
community can lend its perspective and influence to broader efforts
to develop better fisheries conservation and management policies. For
more information, contact Special Projects Director Forbes
Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Grants Available for Coastal Conservation
The FishAmerica Foundation has more than $500,000 available to provide matching grants for grassroots fisheries conservation in coastal areas, thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Grant guidelines and applications are on our website, www.fishamerica.org <http://www.fishamerica.org/> . In addition, FishAmerica recently awarded 4 major research grants supporting restoration of brook trout and coho and chinook salmon, among other significant fisheries. For more information, contact FishAmerica Managing Director Johanna Laderman, 703.519.9691 x245.
Forums Help Spread Fishing Education
We're getting out and about to spread the Future Fisherman Foundation's
fishing education programs far and wide this spring. We exhibited at
the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance Convention last month, an annual event that attracts thousands
of teachers, to publicize the National Physical Education Grants Initiative
and promote the Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs Program. We set up shop
at the ASA/Fred Hall fishing show in Long Beach, California, last month,
reaching thousands of anglers in one of the most popular fishing states,
to showcase our efforts to create the next generation of anglers. Along
with HOFNOD state coordinators, we'll also be exhibiting this month at
the American Camping Association Mid-States Conference, a great venue
to reach fishing instructors. These conventions are some of our best
ways to make our programs more broadly known to community leaders involved
with teaching others to fish. For more information, contact Future Fisherman
Foundation Executive Director Anne Glick, 703.519.9691 x238.
Welcome New ASA Members for March
B D Classic Enterprises, Inc.; Beacon Marine Supply; Beijing Sun Moon Star Toy Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Bella Secrets LLC; California Coast Range Tackle, Co., Inc.; Curly's Lures; Fishing.com; Haesung Enterprise Co., Ltd.; Honeywell International; Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors; Kick'n Bass Products; King Sailfish Mounts, Inc.; Kings Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.; Kondak Associates LLC; Lake Champ Lures, LLC; Lenco Marine, Inc.; Louv-a-Troll Superior; LureCraft Fisherman's Shop; Lures Galore LLC; Magnum Weight Systems, Inc.; MEET Co., Ltd.; Ningbo Acasa Import & Export Co., Ltd.; Optima Batteries; Pesce Trade/Everol USA; PSFC; Restin Ready Corp.; Savant Spoons; Shibata Bio Consultants, Inc.; Sourceman, Inc.; Specialty Tackle; TackleBright; TEARepair, Inc.; The Gapen Company; The Hanson Group; Windsor Nature Discovery LLC; Wonyang Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd. Also, our special thanks to Paul Bella and Melody Bryson from Bella Secrets who came to town to visit with the ASA staff.
Briefly Noted
Don't forget ASA's National Fishing and Boating Week activities will take place here in Washington June 7-9; ASA members and partners will soon receive more information on the schedule of events in the mail ... While we're at it, the dates for this year's Sportfishing Summit are October 27-29 at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
President's Corner
Last week I had the privilege to join representatives of more than a dozen fishing and hunting groups for a meeting with President Bush at his Crawford ranch. Working with Congress and Administration leaders on conservation and recreation policy is a big part of serving our membership every day, but of course it isn't every day that we have this kind of opportunity to listen and learn about a President's conservation agenda and raise the profile on the interests of the sportfishing community.
To be sure, there are a number of big policies under development that will affect fishing in the future. It was reassuring to know that the President and his leaders at the Council on Environmental Quality are well aware of the significance of issues ranging from the role of the recreational fishing community in restoring striped bass and redfish to the importance of access to our nation's public lands and waters. That level of engagement gives us good opportunities to continue a dialogue on these and other important issues that ultimately affect the sportfishing industry.
The meeting itself also symbolizes that the fishing and hunting constituency is recognized for its important role in setting sound conservation and recreation policy, and how that contributes to the well-being of American society. At the end of the day, any time the sportfishing community has the ear of a President it's a good thing for fishing.
