Member
Updates are periodic information sources for members of the American
Sportfishing Association and partners on issues of interest to the
future of fishing. For more information, contact ASA
Communications,
703.519.9691.
July 2005 Member Update
This is a partial list of the topics covered in this
update. Please scroll down for the complete document. ASA Member
Updates are available in the ASA Newsroom.
Wallop-Breaux Reauthorization Passes Congress
ICAST 2005 Highlights!
2005 Sportfishing Summit
Planning for ICAST 2006
New Product Showcase Award Recipients
Manufacturer of the Year Award
Welcome New Members!
Policy Watch—Government Affairs Update
June/July 2005 Issue of American Sportfishing Available
Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Wallop-Breaux Reauthorization Passes Congress
After close to two years of Congressional action and three years of
strategic planning and consensus building by leading angling and boating
organizations, the most significant legislation for sportfishing and
boating since 1984 is now waiting for President Bush’s signature.
Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president, worked closely with key House and
Senate members and their staff as well as other organizations over the
past three years to develop the final language of the Wallop-Breaux Act,
now the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Act, which passed Congress
on July 29, 2005. Here is ASA’s press release on the bill passage.
For more information, contact Gordon
Robertson, x237.
ICAST 2005 Highlights
ASA thanks its members and the more than 6,500 representatives
of the sportfishing industry who made ICAST 2005 the best and largest
show in recent years. The 48th annual ICAST once again lived up to its’ reputation
as the world’s largest industry showcase of fishing tackle and
accessories all under one roof with more than 6,500 people attending
the Las Vegas show. ICAST, covering 250,000 square feet of the Las Vegas
Convention Center, showcased the very latest innovations in sportfishing
equipment and accessories for industry buyers and media. ICAST
2005, with a sold-out floor show for the fourth consecutive year, featured
nearly 400 exhibitors—almost half offering show specials to potential
buyers—filling over 1,180 booths, a 7 percent increase over 2004.
The show boasted more than 1,600 buyers and over 300 registered members
of the press. For more information, contact Maria
del Valle, x240.
2005 Sportfishing Summit
Mark your calendars for this year’s Sportfishing Summit,
to be held October 5–7, 2005, at the Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Florida.
The focus of this year’s summit is threefold: angling participation;
ocean resource policy; and the manufacturers’ excise tax. Most
of ASA’s committees and the Board of Directors will meet at the
Summit, and we’re creating a solid line-up of business seminars
as well. As usual, the agenda has ample time for social gatherings, fishing
and golf and other networking opportunities. Registration materials–Summit,
housing—for the 2005 will be available in mid-August. For more
information, contact Mary
Jane Williamson, x227.
Planning for ICAST 2006
More than 60 percent of the planned show floor for ICAST 2006 in Las
Vegas (July 19–21) is already booked. Booth deposits are due
September 1. Once a deposit is received, booths will be assigned
to exhibitors in early October. Contracts will not be processed until
a deposit is received. All 2005 exhibitors should have received exhibit
space contracts and floor plans during the show and will receive
one in the mail. Exhibit space contracts are also available on ASA’s
Web site. As a member benefit for exhibitors only, final registration
lists for ICAST 2005 also will be mailed shortly, and exhibitors
may order electronic lists for $300 from Expo Exchange, our registration
contractor, 301-662-9400, show code SFE041. For more information,
contact Kelly
Camirand, x231.
ICAST Industry Breakfast
More than 400 people attended the Industry Breakfast which officially
kicked-off ICAST 2005. During this event, ASA President and CEO, Mike
Nussman, presented his state of the industry address along with opening
remarks from Dave Pfeiffer, executive vice president, Shimano American
Corporation and ASA’s Board of Directors Chairman; and a keynote
address from Cindy Garrison, ESPN TV host and international professional
angler and guide. All three spoke about the importance of expanding participation
in sportfishing from becoming more active in ASA committees and events,
to adopting the “Take Me Fishing” campaign to looking at
all demographics as potential anglers. For more information, contact
Mary
Jane Williamson,
x227.
ICAST’s Flagship Feature—New Product Showcase
Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer/ESPN Outdoors, over 170
companies entered over 800 new products in the New
Product Showcase competing for overall Best of Show honors and best of
show in 12 product categories. Winners of the New Product Showcase are
Shimano American Corporation; Gamakatsu USA Corp., Stren; Normark; SPRO;
Plano Molding Company; Spinmaster; Lowrance Electronics, Inc.; XTOOLS; FisherGirl,
Inc.; and DriDuds by Kappler. The winners were announced during the July
20 evening Chairman’s Reception. Media inquiries contact Mary
Jane Williamson, x227.
RBFF’s Manufacturer of the Year Announced
During the Wednesday night’s Chairman’s reception
(July 20), sponsored by Shimano American Corporation, the Recreational
Fishing and Boating Foundation announced the Manufacturer
of the Year
which, this year, went to Zebco/WCB. During the reception, RBFF also
recognized Jimmy Johnson, former NFL coach, for his chairmanship of the
2004 National Fishing and Boating Week.
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members or members who reinstated their membership in
June: Anglers Edge Bait and Tackle; Apex Outfitters, Inc.; Caddis Sports, Inc.;
CamoCreek, Inc.; Chum-King Inc.; Covered Bridge, Inc.; Doc Waters Lure Company;
Donnie Paul & Associates; The Gapen Company; Hooked on Tackle; Lee Sisson
Lures; Madole Enterprises, LLC; Ningbo; Kaifeng Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.;
Pole Control, Inc.; Powell Products, Inc.; Swifty Manufacturing; Vilco LLC; and
Wing-Sun Trading, Inc.
Policy Watch—Government Affairs Update
For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact
Gordon
Robertson, VP and Government Affairs, x237 or Carol
Forthman, director, Ocean Resource Policy, x244.
New USFWS Director
Dale Hall has been named the new Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Dale, current Regional Director in Albuquerque, is a 27 year
veteran of the Service.
USDA Forest Service Announcement
Anne Zimmermann is the new Director for Fish, Wildlife, Rare
Plants, Air and Soil for the USDA Forest Service. Zimmerman has been
Acting Director since the departure of Jim Gladen.
ASA Attends Midwest Meeting
ASA attended the annual Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies Directors’ meeting in Huron, Ohio where discussion centered
on pending fishery legislative issues and assistance with Wallop-Breaux
reauthorization.
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
ASA is participating in the advisory committee for the Joint Ocean Commission
Initiative (JOCI). The Initiative was formed by the chairs of the President's
Ocean Commission and the Pew Ocean Commission with the goal of supporting implementation
of the Ocean Commission's recommendations. The advisory group met in April and
again in July to develop strategy for JOCI's priorities.
Aquaculture Bill
ASA attended NOAA's briefing on its proposed bill on Marine Aquaculture
in the EEZ. The bill, which has been introduced by Senator Ted Stevens
(R-AK), outlines procedures for NOAA to issue permits for marine aquaculture
facilities. ASA has identified specific issues, including access, disease and
pollution that need to be addressed in the proposal.
Partners for Fish and
Wildlife
Senators James Inhofe (R-OK), Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Jim Jeffords
(I-VT) of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus have pushed through
an increase in the Partners for Fish and Wildlife budget that doubles
the funding (to $75 million) for this restoration program that funds
voluntary conservation activities on private lands to improve habitat.
ASA, as a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation supports
this legislation and will work with Caucus members in the House of
Representatives on companion legislation.
Meeting with Senator Stevens (R-AK)
ASA, along with three other recreational groups, met with Senator
Stevens who will sponsor the Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization in Congress.
The Senator shared his views on important issues and how he expects
the process to move forward. He expects to file his bill in the fall
term of Congress.
June/July 2005 Issue of American Sportfishing Available on Web
The June/July American Sportfishing,
ASA’s newsletter, is available in PDF format.
Future Fisherman Foundation Asks ASA Members for Support
In June, the Foundation sent a letter to ASA’s 430 manufacturing
members requesting support for the foundation by using the Never Angler,
Forever Angler advertising campaign and/or donating products. The donated
products will be sold at less-than-retail cost to not-for-profit organizations
that promote fishing, such as the National Guard, school systems, state
and community parks and other organizations. All profit generated goes
to support foundation programs, such as, HOFNOD, PE Grants and the Tackle
Box Equipment program. To date, ASA members that have donated product
are: Comal Tackle Products; Bass Assassin Lures; Luhr-Jensen; and Lakeland
Inc. The Never Angler, Forever Angler print ads are available in a variety
of sizes. For more information about donating products or obtaining the
advertising materials, contact Laura
Jerome, x254.
Hooked On Fishing–Not On Drugs® National Training Workshop
The Hooked On Fishing–Not On Drugs® (HOFNOD) Facilitator Training
Workshop is scheduled for August 2–4, in Park City, Utah.
Of the 28 states in the program, 11 are participating: OK, IN, NV, KY,
ME, DC, MI, CT, OH, SC, and UT. Nevada and Oklahoma are new to the program.
For more information, contact Laura
Jerome,
x254.
National PE Grants Initiative Update
The PE Grant Initiative Teacher Workshop was held July 17–21
at Bayou Segnette Park in Louisiana. All 35 grant recipients attended
and received instruction on grantee responsibilities and requirements,
fishing and boating skills and conservation. The deadline for final program
reports from recipients of the 2004-2005 PE Grants was June 30, 2005.
The reports are currently under review. For more information, contact
Jesse
Graytock,
x224.
FishAmerica Foundation Awards $785,000 in Grants
FishAmerica, in partnership with the NOAA Restoration Center,
awarded $785,389 to 22 projects to improve fisheries habitat for salmon,
trout, striped bass, tarpon, redfish, and flounder, among others, in
twelve states, including for the first time, two projects in the Great
Lakes basin. More than 1,400 volunteers will donate 15,000 hours to complete
these projects. Since 1998, FishAmerica and NOAA have funded 185 projects
valued at more than $2.8 million. For more information, contact Johanna
Laderman, x245, or Jeff
Bloem, x247.
FishAmerica Foundation Wraps up Wristband Campaign
FishAmerica wrapped up the “It’s My World” wristband
campaign in conjunction with the Wal-Mart FLW Tournaments during the
FLW Championship Boat & Outdoor Show at Lake Hamilton, AR,
raising more than $40,000 for fisheries conservation. More than 5,000
wristbands, funded by BP Castrol, were distributed as a “thank
you” to those who donated $1 or more to FishAmerica. Foundation
staff attended 5 of the tournaments. FLW Outdoors, the tournament organizer,
is a six-year partner of FishAmerica, providing more than $235,000 in
donations resulting in more than $1 million in local projects. For more
information, contact Jeff
Bloem, x247.
“It’s My World” Wristbands Available on the Web
The “It’s My World” wristbands
are available from the FishAmerica
Foundation. Support the foundation’s conservation
efforts through the wristband campaign. For more information, contact
Johanna
Laderman,
x245.
FishAmerica Contributors
As of June 30, 41 members of the American Sportfishing Association
have donated $107,674 to FishAmerica through direct donations, licensed-product
sales, tournament partnerships and endowment donations. The members are:
American Rod & Gun;
Angler's Choice/Suncoast of America, LLC; Aqua-Scent; Boone Bait; Captain Hook
Enterprises, LLC; Castaic Soft Bait, Inc.; Creek Company; Do-It Corporation;
Emmrod Fishing Gear; Folbe Products, LLC; Frank & Fran's Fisherman's Friend,
Inc.; G. Pucci and Sons; Gudebrod, Inc.; HMT Marketing, Inc.;
JBS Fishing Line; Kanji International Inc.; Kreha Corporation of America; Lamiglas,
Inc.; Lil' Hustler; Lipper Tools, Inc.; Lucky Craft, Inc.; Ludwikoski and Associates,
Inc.; Matzuo America; Mercury Marine; NETGRA; Nicholas-Shea Co., Inc.; O. Mustad & Son
(USA) Inc.; Outdoor Cap; Outdoor Pro Shop; Persuader American Angling; Pro Line
Manufacturing; Reel E Good Products; Shimano American Corporation; Sphere Group
Inc./Pro Baiter; Sportco Marketing, Inc.; Team Nu-Mark; The Redfish Nation/J.M.
Associates; Thomas Spinning Lures, Inc.; Water Gremlin Company; Wright and McGill
Company; and the Yakima Bait Company. Names in bold have donated
since June’s Member Update.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
July 2005 has been a great month for the sportfishing industry.
First, ICAST 2005 was the best show in many years and I thank all the members
of the industry—ASA members, our Board of Directors, buyers, exhibitors,
our partners and the media—for their support and participation. I also
want to thank the ASA staff for the tremendous effort they made to ensure a successful
show. My congratulations go to the winners of the New Product Showcase and to
all the exhibitors who entered products this year. The creativity and ingenuity
our members use to develop and produce new items to enhance the angling experience
never fails to amaze me. I could go on, but I believe what is most important
is saying thank you for your participation and attendance.
Second, I want to congratulate our friends at BASS/ESPN Outdoors for a successful
Bassmaster Classic which just ended this past Sunday, July 31, in Pittsburgh,
Pa. According to BASS, they had nearly 30,000 fans packed into a downtown Pittsburgh
arena over the three days of the classic to see the weigh-ins. That speaks well
for them and for our sport.
Third—and the significance of this should not be lost on anyone—was
the July 29 passage of the most significant legislation for sportfishing and
boating since 1984. After close to two years of Congressional action and three
years of strategic planning and consensus building by ASA and other leading angling
and boating organizations, the authorization of the new Sport Fish Restoration
and Boating Trust Fund is now waiting President Bush’s signature. The centerpiece
of the legislation is the successful capture of the federal fuel tax on motorboats
and small engines which will now be dedicated to sportfish restoration, angler
and boating access and boating safety.
This reauthorization will recover approximately $110 million per year of federal
fuel taxes currently being paid by anglers and boaters but being diverted to
the general treasury. The capture of the fuel tax will significantly boost revenues
for the Fund to approximately $570 million per year for important angling and
boating programs such as fisheries monitoring; habitat conservation and restoration;
fishing and boating access facilities such as docks, piers, and boat ramps; and
education and safety programs for anglers and boaters. The Recreational Boating
and Fishing Foundation will receive an additional $2 million per year over the
next four years. This will provide a major boost for the “Take Me Fishing” campaign.
The sportfishing community owes Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) and Senator Herb Kohl
(D-WI) a debt of gratitude for introducing this legislation. On the House side,
we owe Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and Clay Shaw (R-FL) our thanks for their
leadership in this effort. Passage of this legislation is a both a testament
to the ability of the sportfishing and boating community to work together to
strengthen the user-pay/user-benefit concept and to this nation’s love
of sportfishing and boating. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Gordon
Robertson, ASA’s vice president, who worked closely with key House and
Senate members and their staff as well as other organizations to see this legislation
come to pass.
As I said, July was a great month for the sportfishing industry.
