A periodic information source 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
or info@asafishing.org.
June 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 on the Web site – www.asafishing.org – in
the Newsroom.
ASA Board of Directors Election and July Meeting
Update on Manufacturers’ Excise Tax Issues
National Fishing & Boating Week Wrap Up
ASA Presents Its Highest
Honors
ICAST Updates—Registration, Industry Breakfast
and More!
Policy
Watch—Government Affairs Update
Welcome New Members!
Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
ASA Announces Board of Directors Election
Seven members of the American Sportfishing Association’s Board of Directors were elected to fill three At-Large seats and three Regional seats, with terms beginning October 1, 2005. ASA Board members serve 2-year terms. At-Large seats went to Clem Dippel, BASS/ESPN Outdoors and advertising director, Fishing
Tackle Retailer magazine, and Gary Zurn, executive vice president, Big Rock Sports, LLC, who were both reelected, and John Jilling, president, Wright & McGill Company. Elections for the three regional seats resulted in four additional members due to a tie vote in the South Central Region. The Board voted to support both candidates to serve on the Board. Ed Dinkins, vice president/merchandise manager, Bass Pro Shops, and Darrell Lowrance, executive officer, Lowrance Electronics, Inc., will jointly represent the South Central Region. Bob Eakes, owner, The Red Drum Tackle Shop, Inc., will represent the Southeast Region and Jim Lebson, regional sales manager/legal affairs, G. Loomis, Inc., was reelected to represent the West Region. For more information, contact Board Liaison Joyce
Anderson-Logan, x233.
July ASA Board of Directors Meeting
The ASA Board of Directors is scheduled to meet Tuesday, July
19, 2005, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., prior to the first day of ICAST.
Please contact Joyce Anderson-Logan,
executive assistant, 703.519.9691, x233, for more information or to confirm
attendance.
ASA Excise Tax Committee Meets With IRS
Members of ASA’s Excise Tax Committee met on Thursday,
June 9, with IRS representatives. Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO,
and Vice President Gordon Robertson also attended. ASA Committee members
discussed the IRS’s work on clarifying the IRS’s interpretation
of essential terms such as “who is the manufacturer” and “who
is the importer.” As a result of the meeting, the IRS made two
commitments: (1) The IRS will have legal counsel and a policy expert
at ICAST to answer questions in addition to the IRS seminars scheduled
for Thursday, July 21; (2) the IRS will produce a draft guidance document
of essential terms that will be available for review by the Excise Tax
Committee by the end of July. A follow-up meeting with the IRS, which
was mentioned in the May 2005 ASA Member Update, will not take place
until sometime after the guidance document is available. If you have
any questions, please contact Gordon
Robertson or Mike Nussman for
more information.
National Fishing and Boating Week Wrap Up
ASA’s National Fishing and Boating Week events held June 6–8,
2005, provided an opportunity for ASA members to meet with Members
of Congress and federal agency representatives to discuss policy issues.
A number of ASA members met with 11 Members of Congress to advocate
for the interests of the sportfishing industry. The Excise Tax, Government
Affairs, Finance, Advocacy, Data and Statistics committees and the
Freshwater and Saltwater Subcommittees met during the week. Events
included a kids’ fishing event in Constitution Gardens (nine
Foundations, ASA & Fred Hall staff participated); a member reception
and boat cruise; a luncheon with James Connaughton, chairman, White
House Council on Environmental Quality; a Congressional reception on
Capitol Hill, and a Hill breakfast briefing co-sponsored by ASA and
the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
During the Hill reception, ASA awarded its highest honors to two life-long
members of the sportfishing community; Jerry Gibbs, fishing editor, Outdoor
Life magazine, and Gary Loomis, founder of G. Loomis. Over 80
people attended ASA events, with approximately 175 people attending
the Capitol Hill reception. ASA thanks all its members and partners
for their support. For more information or to comment, contact Policy
Fellow Patrick O’Rouke,
x.230.
ASA Presents Its Highest Honors
On Tuesday evening, June 7, during its Capitol Hill reception,
ASA honored Jerry Gibbs, Outdoor Life magazine’s fishing
editor, and Gary Loomis, legendary rod-maker and founder of G. Loomis,
with its two top awards. Gibbs received the Norville Prosser Lifetime
Achievement Award and Gary Loomis was awarded the Future of Fishing
Award. For more information visit ASA’s Web site.
ICAST Overall Numbers
As of June 17, 391 exhibitors have reserved
1,182 booths. With more than 1,300 buyers, over 1,600 representatives
of exhibiting companies, over 500 manufacturers’ reps, nearly 200
media and hundreds of other non-exhibiting members attending, ICAST 2005
registration is now over 4,000 and is expected to ultimately draw over
6,000 attendees. For more information, contact Maria
del Valle, x240 or Kelly Camirand,
x231.
ICAST Registration Update
Badges and ICAST information for registered exhibitors and attendees
are being mailed. Badge holders and ICAST Buyers’ Guides will
be available at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s main registration
area. June 17 was the deadline for discounted ICAST pre-registration
fees. Attendees may still register online, however, anyone registering
after June 17 will need to pick up badges on-site. Visit our online
registration today to get started. ICAST host hotels are still
accepting housing reservations. ICAST is scheduled for July 20-22 at
the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit www.asafishing.org to
find the latest information about ICAST or contact Maria
del Valle, x240 or Kelly Camirand, x231.
ICAST—Industry Breakfast
Tickets are going quickly for the breakfast scheduled for Wednesday
morning, July 20. The Industry Breakfast officially kick-offs ICAST 2005.
During this event, ASA President and CEO, Mike Nussman, presents his
state of the industry address. Cindy Garrison, outdoor TV host and international
professional angler and guide, is this year's keynote speaker. Cindy
will speak about her experiences and her view of sportfishing’s
future. Tickets are required. For more information, contact Communications
Director, Mary Jane Williamson,
x227.
ICAST’s Flagship Feature—New Product Showcase
The deadline for Showcase submissions was June 17. Over 100 companies
entered hundreds of new products that will make their marketplace debut
and compete for honors in 12 product categories and the overall Best
of Show award. For voting in the Showcase, media and buyers are eligible
for cash prizes. For more information about the Showcase, contact Showcase
Coordinator Mike Battistoni. Media
inquiries contact Communications Director Mary Jane Williamson,
x227.
ICAST Seminars
ICAST 2005 will feature three seminar
topics covering radio frequency tags, paying the federal excise tax
and conducting an effective press event. Three members of the IRS will
be in attendance at ICAST to answer questions and provide information
on paying the tax and provide updates on tax changes. For more information
on the ICAST seminars contact Member Services Director Ric
Ice, x234.
ICAST Co-locating with MAATS in 2005/2006
In 2005 and 2006, ICAST coincides with the National Marine Manufacturers
Association’s Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS).
Attendees of ICAST can take advantage of free admission to MAATS all-day,
Friday, July 22, with a valid ICAST badge. For more information on MAATS,
visit NMMA.
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members who joined ASA in May: B. D.
Classic Enterprises; Classic Patterns/Sport Brimz; Cross Rip Outfitters,
Ltd.; Dong Ah Fishing Industries Company; Emmett Stacy Inventors and
Investors Group; Hobie Cat; Hookup Lures; International Sportsmen's Expositions;
Jeros Tackle Company; Lansky Sharpeners; Metal Fusion Inc.; Ningbo Cixi
Raistar Industrial Co., Ltd; Sol Sunguard Corporation; The Woodstock
Line Company; and USA Sport Eyewear.
New Member Benefit—Plan a Dream Vacation
Through our partnership with Dream Vacations, ASA members receive
top value on discounted vacation packages. To make reservations, call
Ralph Waterhouse at 860.236.2668 or visit ASA’s Web site.
For more information about member benefits, contact Member Services
Director Ric Ice, x234.
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.
Reauthorization of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund
The Senate and House named the 94 conferees who will determine the
final composition of the $283 billion highway bill containing the reauthorization
of the Aquatic Resource Trust Fund or Wallop-Breaux. Included in the
House version is a significant increase for the trust fund from motor
boat and small engine fuel taxes—approximately $110 million
additional funds—funded by capturing the full amount of fuel
taxes paid by boaters and anglers. The bill still faces a Presidential
veto if it exceeds White House overall spending limits. Check
the ASA Website to use a ready-made letter to write the conferees and
urge them to take the correct action for sportfishing.
National Fish Habitat Initiative
The National Fish Habitat
Initiative steering committee, on which ASA serves, held its third
meeting in June to continue refining the nationwide effort to coordinate
and enhance habitat efforts for fisheries as this massive effort gets
underway. A major focus of this meeting
was assuring that the entities that have authority for managing fishery
habitats have accurate and appropriate communications tools for their
use.
Magnuson-Stevens Update
ASA has developed a list of recreational
fishing positions for Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization. To date, 8
national (including ASA) and 5 regional recreational fishing groups
have approved these positions which include: taking the economic impact
of recreational fishing into account in allocations, standards for
Marine Protected Areas, saltwater fishing licenses, gear analysis and
regulation, enhancing the science process and right sizing commercial
fleets. ASA staff and members have
met with a number of the key Congressional and executive branch staff
members involved in the reauthorization.
CSF Briefing Focuses on Sportfishing in Ocean Policy
Bill
Hogarth, assistant administrator for Fisheries in the National Marine
Fisheries Service, addressed a June 8 standing-room only crowd at the
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s breakfast
briefing, co-sponsored by ASA. Congressmen Leonard Boswell (D-IA) and
Paul Ryan (R-WI) also provided remarks. Congress will be revamping
the laws that govern the conservation and management of ocean fishing,
and it is essential that anglers are engaged in this process to safeguard
the interests of recreational angling.
NOAA’s Aquaculture Proposal
In June, NOAA published a proposed offshore aquaculture bill that
was introduced into Congress. The bill as proposed sets up a review
process for offshore aquaculture facilities and would require such
facilities to obtain permits. ASA attended the briefing on the proposal
and will work to ensure that protections for recreational fishing interests
are included.
Fish Hatchery Program
In May, Noreen Clough, BASS Conservation Director,
presented testimony before the House Fisheries and Oceans Subcommittee
on behalf of ASA. The testimony was in support of protecting and enhancing
the federal hatchery programs. A lack of funding was cited by a number
of those testifying as a critical issue for the hatchery system.
FishNet meets with Fish and Wildlife Service
In May, FishNet members
met with the USFWS to discuss fisheries priorities relating to Service
budget, federal hatchery mitigation legislation and several other pertinent
issues within the fisheries community. The information provided by
the Service assisted FishNet members in determining strategies for
helping to ensure proper funding of fisheries programs.
Sportfishing Included in Farm Bill Strategy Meeting
In May, ASA attended
a national Farm Bill strategy meeting to represent sportfishing interests
in the 2007 Farm Bill. The sportfishing community has not been very
involved in Farm Bill issues in the past, but the new focus on conservation
is important to fish habitat protection.
FishAmerica/USFWS Award Grants
In May, FishAmerica Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $104,600
through its partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FishAmerica
for 4 fisheries conservation projects in the Northeast and 2 in the
Southeast. FishAmerica is in the second year of a four-year partnership
with the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. For more information,
contact Managing Director Johanna Laderman,
x245.
FishAmerica Raises Additional Funds at FLW Open
FishAmerica Foundation staff attended the Wal-Mart FLW Open at
Wheeler Lake in Decatur, AL. FishAmerica distributed wristbands to those
who donated $1 or more to FishAmerica. The wristbands have raised more
than $3,000 at three Wal-Mart FLW tournaments, the All-America Tournament
and other venues. The money is used for fisheries conservation and
research projects at the tournament sites and across the country. For
more information, contact Grants Administrator Jeff
Bloem, x247.
FishAmerica Contributors
As of May 31, 40 members of the American Sportfishing Association
have donated more than $107,500 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.;
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 Yakima Bait Company. Names in bold have
donated since May’s Update.
Fishing and Boating Education Grants Awarded
The Future Fisherman Foundation awarded a total of $165,770 to
certified physical education teachers in 35 individual schools in 20
states. Each grant falls in the $3,000–$5,000 range and will be used
for fishing, canoeing and kayaking classes during the 2005/2006 school
year. For more information, contact PE Grants Coordinator
Jesse Graytock, x224.
Hooked On Fishing – Not On Drugs® National Training
Workshop
The Hooked On Fishing – Not On Drugs® (HOFNOD) Facilitator
Training Workshop is scheduled for August in Park City, Utah. Of the
28 states in the program, ten are participating: NY, NV, OK, OH, District
of Columbia, MI, ME, IN, UT and CT. New York, Nevada and Oklahoma are
new to the program. For more information, contact Laura Jerome,
x254.
Future Fisherman Foundation Tackle Box Equipment Sales
To date, in FY 2005, the Tackle Box program has sold over $70,000
worth of fishing equipment and instructional materials to fishing education
programs. For more information, contact Future Fisherman Executive
Director, Anne Glick,
x238.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
As head of the American Sportfishing Association, I do a lot of
thinking about our industry and where our business is headed. And, right
now, business is looking pretty good. ICAST is sold-out for the fourth
year in a row and we’re expecting 6,000 or more people to attend.
National Fishing and Boating Week 2005 was the most successful one
to date. Across the United States, state and federal agencies, conservation
organizations and fishing and boating retailers held over 1,300 events
to inspire children and adults to get out on the water. The kids’ fishing
event held every year in Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. introduced
more than 400 school-age children to the pleasure of fishing garnering
front page coverage in The Washington Post.
According to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, its “Take
Me Fishing” advertising campaign, with the message that links
families, fishing and fun, is reaching a larger and more receptive
audience than ever before.
In a recent survey, more than 90 percent of adults said they believe
that fishing is a great way to spend leisure time with more than 70
percent of them saying that they had gone fishing at some point their
lives. In fact, tournament fishing is one of the fastest growing sports
in the United States.
From my perspective, put this altogether and I should have stiff competition
for my favorite fishing spot on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, despite
what people say and all our best efforts, there is no way we can ignore
the fact that fishing participation in the United States is not growing.
No matter which way you interpret the numbers or whose numbers you
use, that is the reality.
So, why aren’t people out on the water? Richard Louv, the author
of Last Child in the Woods struck a nerve in all of us with
his description of “nature deficit disorder” depicting
a nation of children tied to their computers and video games and disconnected
from the natural world, to their detriment. His message of fishing
as a great way to connect with the outdoors is one we can all support.
We, as an association and as the sportfishing industry, must do all
we can to understand the participation equation and determine the answer
to the question “how do we get more people to fish?” At
the ICAST Industry Breakfast next month, I’m going to expand
on fishing participation as will our keynote speaker, professional
angler and guide Cindy Garrison. We’re also going to explore
this topic at the 2005 Sportfishing Summit this coming October.
I urge you to give some serious consideration to this issue. We need
to double our efforts and get behind finding the answer to the participation
question. If you have some thoughts on this, I would like to hear them.
Feel free to contact me or seek me out at ICAST.
See you next month.
