A periodic information source for members of the American Sportfishing Association and partners on issues of importance to the future of fishing
May 7, 2003
Almost Showtime: Exhibit space for ICAST 2003 sold out last month-4 weeks earlier than last year, even after expanding the show floor to accommodate an additional 36 booths over last year's number. A total of 299 sportfishing companies, including 89 new exhibitors, reserved 967 booths to max out the 209,000 square foot show floor. For those attending ICAST in Las Vegas July 9-11, don't forget the cut-off for discounted hotel rates and pre-registration (allowing you to avoid long lines at on-site registration) is June 6. In addition, if you're offering ICAST Show Specials, let us know so we can help promote them and steer buyers to your booth. Pre-registration can be done on-line at www.asafishing.org under "Shows and Events" (media should also register under "Attendee registration"). For more information, contact ICAST Director Maria del Valle, 703.519.9691 x240.
Business Solutions for Small Companies:
For the first time, we're offering a seminar series at ICAST for small
business owners and their employees. Topics include special markets,
inventory control and distribution systems, and loss prevention. Find
the best way to arrange your store and product, discover proven methods
to attract customers to a particular department and specific products,
and learn how to use practical knowledge to maximize your profits. The
Business Solutions Seminar will be offered three times during ICAST.
For more information, contact Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Looking Out for Fish and Fishing: Over the last month, we've briefed five House and Senate committees on the American League of Anglers and Boaters' proposal for reauthorization of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, the pool of fishing and boating gear excise tax money that funds most of state agencies' fisheries conservation and fishing and boating access programs. We've also met with House committees on hydropower relicensing provisions in proposed national energy legislation. Provisions related to dams and river flows could have devastating effects on fisheries, especially in the Northwest. In addition, we visited with Vice President Cheney's staff to discuss fishing's popularity and economic impacts, and learn about the Administration's interests in fishing issues. Next week, we're hosting a gathering of more than 20 fishery conservation leaders in Montana to map the direction for fisheries needs for the next 5-10 years. For more information, contact Vice President Gordon Robertson, 703.358.9691 x237.
Keeping Tabs On SARS: Like other trade
associations, we're keeping tabs on the effects of SARS on our industry.
With so much product manufactured overseas, members are reporting various
degrees of delay in getting product from manufacturing operation to market.
Factors affecting the product trail include manufacturing operations
themselves, travel restrictions, shipping, and special precautions taking
place at ports of entry. For more information, contact Membership Director
Ric Ice, 703.519.9691 x234.
Import/Export Figures Now Available Electronically:
: ASA members who receive periodic reports on fishing tackle import/export
data via the mail may now receive this information on-line or via e-mail.
For more information on this free member service, contact Special Projects
Director Forbes Darby,
703.519.9691 x222.
ASA Pushes for Funding Boost for Saltwater Stats:
Following up on discussions that took place in February at the Sportfishing
Leadership Conference-a major gathering among the saltwater fisheries
community-ASA and the Coastal Conservation Association are working with
select Members of Congress to secure a significant increase in funding
for the National Marine Fisheries Service's marine recreational fisheries
data and economics program. We're requesting a total of $16 million
for the agency to gather and analyze data on saltwater recreational
fisheries populations, fishing participation, and associated economic
impacts. Better representation for recreational interests was a major
recommendation coming out of the February conference. For more information,
contact Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Angler Groups Maintain Challenge on CA MPA's:
In our last ASA Update, we reported on the status of California sportfishing
groups' legal efforts challenging the Channel Islands marine reserve
designations, banning fishing in one of the nation's most popular fishing
areas. To clarify the situation: the groups previously filed a lawsuit
challenging the decision to establish these no-fishing zones, and in
the interim had requested a temporary measure to keep the areas open
until the lawsuit is resolved. While a judge denied the temporary measure,
the groups are proceeding with the lawsuit. For more information, contact
Special Projects Director Forbes Darby, 703.519.9691 x222.
Tackle Box Moves Into High Gear: Already
this year, the Future Fisherman Foundation has distributed almost $300,000
worth of fishing and boating gear to community groups that introduce
people to fishing, more than a 40 percent increase over all of last year.
These efforts are part of the flagship Tackle Box program, supported
by 13 sportfishing companies that offer discounted gear through special
partnerships with the foundation. If you're interested in joining in,
all you have to do is let the Future Fisherman Foundation know of your
interest and then be on standby, and we'll contact you when requests
from states and community groups come in for equipment you manufacture.
The Tackle Box program is an integral part of every other education program
the foundation promotes, ranging from Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs
to the Camp Fishing Initiative to the National Physical Education Grants
Initiative-supporting virtually everyone we're working with who needs
basic equipment to carry out their fishing education programs. For more
information, contact Future Fisherman Foundation Assistant Director Laura
Jerome, 703.519.9691 x254.
Special Packaging Benefits Fish-and Product Sales: A recent donation to the FishAmerica Foundation from Top Line Manufacturing reflects the growing mutual benefits of our special licensed products program. By participating in this program over the last 2+ years, Top Line has used FishAmerica's good name on its product packaging for certain waders and donated a portion of their sales back to FishAmerica for conservation projects across the country. Wader sales in Wal-Mart stores so far this year show nearly a 50 percent increase over last year. Since 2001, Top Line has donated more than $130,000 to FishAmerica, money we've matched to contribute more than $250,000 in grants for grassroots conservation projects, including renovating several fish hatcheries in Pennsylvania; creating and restoring family fishing ponds in Kentucky, California, Oklahoma, and Montana; and enhancing fisheries reef habitat along the coasts of Florida and North Carolina. Top Line is one of five sportfishing companies that support the foundation through the special licensed products program, with 3 major retailers also contributing by selling the products. For more information on this industry-led conservation program and how to get involved, contact Acting FishAmerica Foundation Acting Director Johanna DeGroff, 703.519.9691 x245.
Briefly Noted: Please join us in welcoming Wendy Wharton Cook, our new Office Assistant supporting the Future Fisherman Foundation and the FishAmerica Foundation, to the sportfishing community.....Special thanks to Joe Higgins of Western Outdoor News and Betsy Witteman from Don-Rich Company for paying us visits at ASA headquarters recently and giving us valuable feedback on our member services.....The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the total amount of fishing gear excise taxes going to state fisheries agencies this year is $265 million.....The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation is distributing 1.2 million Water Works Wonders coupon books, including discount offers on fishing and boating gear from participating manufacturers, through National Fishing and Boating Week events and major sport shows.....ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman is now serving on the Board of Directors for Stripers Forever, a group dedicated to giving Atlantic striped bass game fish status.
President's Corner
The most popular word around ASA headquarters these days is "advocacy." That's pretty typical when we start gearing up for National Fishing and Boating Week events each year. While advocacy is certainly one of the most important things we do for our members all year long, this is the time of year we put the most emphasis on making a strong showing for sportfishing among influential people here in Washington. It's great to see so many of you will be here next month to make it a strong showing.
But National Fishing and Boating Week isn't the only reason we've got advocacy on our minds, it's also been the main focus for the Board of Directors over the last year. The special advocacy efforts of three Board members-Fred Neal of Cabela's, Jerry Calengor of Normark/Rapala, and Geoff Ratte of Water Gremlin-are the main reason a critical debate over lead fishing sinkers in Minnesota was resolved last month. The best part about this victory is it involved lots of other companies, conservation organizations, and anglers themselves. ASA members stood together and led the way, making a strong case to Minnesota state legislators and mobilizing anglers throughout the state to make their voices heard, too.
This just goes to show what we can do together to look out for the interests we share with millions of anglers. There is no shortage of sportfishing issues coming down the pike, ranging from fishing access to conservation funding to major land and water management policy decisions. When I was out last week enjoying the strongest American shad run on the Potomac in 30 years, I got to thinking about the policy decisions made many years ago that led to the Potomac's restoration and the amazing return of fish like shad and stripers. It was a good reminder that the things we do together today are what's going to ensure we'll still have a sport in the future.
