December 2006 American Sportfishing
Association Member Update
Member Updates are e-mailed monthly to members of the American Sportfishing
Association and our partners on issues of interest to the future of
fishing. For more information, contact ASA
Communications,
703.519.9691.
BELOW IS A LIST OF TOPICS IN THIS UPDATE. Please scroll down
for the complete document. Previous ASA Member Updates are available
in the ASA
Newsroom.
Each month, ASA e-mails an update on its Government Affairs activities
called Policy Watch. These documents can be found in the Government
Affairs section of ASA’s Web site.
Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act Passes House
ASA Ocean Policy Director Going to the Hill
ICAST 2007—50 Years of Innovation
What’s New at ICAST for 2007
2007 Sportfishing Summit—Mark Your Calendars
for Sanibel, Florida
Board of Directors to Meet in March
ASA’s Consumer Shows Gear Up For 2007
NOAA’s Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards
Patrick O’Rouke Completes Policy Fellowship
Member Services Updates
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Future Fisherman Foundation Update
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Congress
Passes Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization
In one of its last actions before adjourning, the 109th
Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act Reauthorization of 2006 (H.R. 5946). This Act, which is the primary
federal law governing fisheries management, had not been updated since
1996. The Act makes a number of significant changes to the fisheries
management system in the United States, including important advances
for sportfishing. Over the past two years, ASA, along with other members
of the conservation community, brought many of these important sportfishing
issues to the fore during Congress’ consideration of the bill.
The new Act contains most of these measures, including limits on the
establishment of no-fishing zones; consideration of the economic impact
of recreational fishing in allocation decisions; and a requirement
to improve the quality and methodology of recreational sportfishing
data. More information can be found on the U.S.
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s
Web site.
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ASA Ocean Policy Director Going to the Hill
Carol Forthman, ASA Ocean Resource Policy Director, is the new
Legislative Director and Counsel for Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL),
a freshman House Representative. Carol came to ASA in January 2005 as
Ocean Policy Director when ASA embarked on efforts to reauthorize the
Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act. She played a primary role
in that legislative effort as well as in many other areas relating to
ASA’s marine fisheries efforts. Establishing a policy director
position for ocean resources was a growth step for ASA and Carol made
an important contribution to our efforts. Saltwater sportfishing is the
fastest growing segment of sportfishing and has many challenges the industry
can’t ignore. We wish her the best and thank her for her dedication
to the sportfishing industry.
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ICAST 2007—50 Years of Innovation
In 2007, ICAST is celebrating 50 years of uniting the world’s
largest showcase of innovation in sportfishing gear and accessories under
one roof, from July 11–13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
All members are invited to join in this momentous year for ICAST by exhibiting
in 2007. As of December 21, 2006, 263 exhibitors have reserved 1,141
booths for ICAST 2007. With nearly 85 percent of the show floor sold,
ICAST 2007 is on track to be the sixth consecutive sell-out year. Remaining
booth space is going quickly and companies who want to exhibit at the
world’s largest sportfishing industry expo should submit an exhibit
space contract as
soon as possible to ensure their business is front and center for nearly
2,000 buyers and more than 500 members of the media nationwide. For more
information or to reserve your exhibit space, contact Kelly
Camirand, x231.
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What’s New for ICAST 2007
ICAST attendees will see a number of new and exciting changes
for the 50th anniversary. This milestone year has afforded ICAST a unique
opportunity to expand its reach by promoting in more publications and
on more Web sites. Additionally, ICAST is taking advantage of several
promotional opportunities at other industry trade and consumer shows.
Be on the look out for ICAST information as you peruse industry publications
and attend shows.
New Product Showcase
Attendees and exhibitors will notice changes at the show as well. The New
Product Showcase is always expanding, and the “Best of Show” awards
continue to gain prestige. Therefore, the “Best of Show” category
for “Best Boating Accessory & Giftware” will be split. “Best
Boating Accessory” and “Best Giftware” will become their own
categories. Beginning in 2007, ICAST exhibitors will be permitted to provide
beer and wine to attendees visiting their booth during the last hour of the show
each day. For more information Maria Del Valle,
x240.
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2007 Sportfishing Summit—Mark Your Calendars for Sanibel,
Florida
ASA invites its members and partners to the 2007 Sportfishing
Summit scheduled for October 10–12, at Sanibel
Harbour Resort & Spa in sunny Florida. ASA’s staff
and Board of Directors met immediately after the 2006 Summit to jump-start
the planning process for 2007. ASA plans to have a program in place and
information distributed before ICAST 2007. For more information, contact
Mary Jane Williamson,
x227.
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Board of Directors to Meet in March
The next meeting of ASA’s Board of Directors will be held on March 9, 2007, in conjunction
with the Fred Hall & Associates Consumer Show in Long Beach,
Calif. For more information, please contact Joyce
Anderson-Logan, x233.
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ASA’s Consumer Shows Gear Up For 2007
The ASA/Fred Hall’s Fishing Tackle, Boat and Travel
Shows on the west coast and ASA’s three sportshows on the east
coast are ramping up for 2007. Based on the success of ICAST 2006,
there will be no shortage of new gear and accessories for all anglers.
For more information on the east coast shows, contact Paul
Fuller,
(800) 227-2067 or Jonathan
Sauers.
For more information on the west coast shows, contact Bart
Hall,
(805) 389-3339. The 2007 ASA Consumer Shows Schedule is:
ASA/Sportshows 2007 Show Tour
Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition
DCU Center • Worcester, MA • February 8–11
World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition
Rockland Community College Field House • Suffern, NY • March 1–4
Saltwater Fishing Exposition
Garden State Exhibit Center • Somerset, NJ • March 16–18
ASA/Fred Hall & Associates 2007 Show Tour
Fred Hall’s Fishing Tackle & Boat Show
Cow Palace • San Francisco, CA • February 14–18
Fred Hall’s Fishing Tackle & Boat Show
Long Beach Convention Center • Long Beach, CA • March 7–11
Fred Hall’s Fishing Tackle & Boat Show
Del Mar Fairgrounds • San Diego, CA • March 21–25
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NOAA’s Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards
Nominations are being accepted for NOAA’s
2007 Annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards.
The Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards recognize outstanding performance,
achievements and leadership by industries, organizations and individuals
whose contributions to science and management promote best stewardship
practices for the sustained use of the Nation’s living marine
resources. The award categories include Special Recognition; Stewardship
and Sustainability; Conservation Partnership; Science, Research and
Technology; Coastal Habitat Restoration; and Public Education, Community
Service and Media. 2007 solicitation for nominations has been extended
and will not close until January 31, 2007.For more
information, contact Michele
Shea,
Fish
for the Future Foundation, 703-379-6101.
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Patrick O’Rouke Completes Policy Fellowship
Patrick O’Rouke
has completed his two-year tenure as ASA’s Policy
Fellow. Patrick departs the Association in January to pursue a master’s
degree in Fisheries Management from the University of Florida in Gainesville.
In his time with ASA, Patrick worked closely with ASA staff, government officials
and resource agencies to advance key issues for the sportfishing industry. ASA
thanks Patrick for his contributions over the last two years and wishes him the
best in his future endeavors. The search for a new Policy fellow is ongoing.
ASA expects to announce the new fellowship recipient in January. For more information,
contact Gordon Robertson,
x237.
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Member Services Updates
For more information, contact Membership assistant Ann Sweeney,
x241.
Fiscal Year 2007 Membership Dues Invoices
ASA mailed its annual membership dues renewal invoices at the end of October.
The due date was November 15 for full or a first installment payment. If you
have not received your company renewal or you have questions about dues or member
status, contact Ann Sweeney,
x241.
ASA Welcomes New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members or members who have reinstated their
membership in December: Jackall, LLC, Los Alamitos, CA and Nor’east Media,
Smithtown, NY.
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FishAmerica Foundation Updates
To help FishAmerica keep our
nation’s fish and waters healthy,
contact Director Johanna Laderman,
x245. Donate to FishAmerica online!
Last-Minute Holiday Gifts
FishAmerica has made the gift of giving even easier this holiday season
with the launch of its new eStore.
Angling enthusiasts can help keep our fish and waters healthy by making a donation
in honor of their favorite angler or purchasing an Operation F.I.S.H. ball cap
or “It’s My World” wristband online.
Grants Available for Sportfish Habitat Restoration in 2007
Up to $800,000 in grant monies are available for marine and anadromous sportfish
habitat restoration projects across the coastal United States and the Great Lakes
basin. Grants will be awarded to community-based, on-the-ground projects to restore
marine, estuarine and riparian habitats important to marine and anadromous fish
species. Proposals are due February 5, 2007, and grants up to $50,000 each will
be awarded in June. The announcement and full grant package are available at www.fishamerica.org.
ASA Member Contributions
We would like to thank the following ASA members for their recent donations
to the FishAmerica Foundation: Fiber Consulting Services; HMT Marketing, Inc.;
Jeros Tackle Company; Lamiglas, Inc.; Ludwikoski & Associates, Inc.; Magic
Products, Inc.; Outdoor Pro Shop, Inc.; and Zebco/WC Bradley. As of October
1st, 11 ASA Members have donated nearly $15,000 to FishAmerica through direct
donations, FishAmerica Gulf Fund donations, licensed-product sales, tournament
partnerships and endowment donations.
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Future Fisherman Foundation Update
For more information on Future
Fisherman activities, contact Executive Director Anne
Danielski,
x254.
Physh Ed Accepting Applications
The Future Fisherman Foundation is accepting applications for the Physh
Ed National Fishing and Boating Grant Initiative. Kindergarten through twelfth
grade physical education teachers in accredited public, private or charter schools
are encouraged to apply for up to $5,000 in grants to teach fishing and boating
as part of their physical education curriculum. Applications are due on Friday,
March 2, 2007 for the 2007/2009 school year. Physh Ed provides grants to teachers
to implement fishing and boating units in their classrooms. The Future Fisherman
Foundation and ASA ask that members help spread the word to their local schools
about this valuable program. The foundation is also working with a variety of
organizations to distribute information about the grant program.
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Message
from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
In one of its last acts, the 109th Congress handed the sportfishing
community a big win this season with the passage of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorization of 2006. The
most important law governing fisheries management in federal marine waters
had not been updated since 1996. The Act makes a numbers of significant
changes to the marine fisheries management system, including important
advances for saltwater fishing.
Over the past two years, ASA, together with the Coastal Conservation Association,
the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies and many others, worked together to ensure that the bill's
effect would be favorable to sportfishing. The bill’s passage was due in
large part to the efforts of Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) who worked to clear the
bill in the Senate and to Representatives Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Don Young
(R-AK) who shepherded the bill through the House of Representatives in the final
hours of this Congress. My thanks go to Senator Stevens and Representatives Pombo
and Young and to everyone who played a role in this, but in particular I thank
ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson and Carol Forthman, ASA Ocean Resource Policy
Director, for their efforts. Well done!
In short order, 2007 will be here bringing with it a myriad of issues for the
sportfishing industry. On the top of my list is to address the no-fishing zone
controversy currently centered in California and its designations under the state’s
Marine Life Protection Act. For at least a decade, all we’ve been hearing
from environmental groups is that our oceans are in a state of collapse; that
fisheries management is not working and that the only way to solve it is to ban
fishing altogether. This is simply not true and no-fishing zones are not the
answer. In fact, there is strong scientific evidence that fisheries management
is working and that California is a prime example of that. In 2007, we’re
going to be saying that loudly and clearly.
What’s gratifying is that some in the scientific community are now saying
it too.
The most important thing for the sportfishing community is to work together to
address this issue. We did it for Magnuson-Stevens and we did it for the 2005
reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, America’s
most significant source of funding for fisheries conservation, sportfishing access
and angling and boating education. And we can do it for no-fishing zones too!
It’s an exciting year ahead, no doubt about that, but for now, I want to
wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday season.
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