October 2005 American Sportfishing Association Member
Update
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.
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.
2005 Sportfishing Summit Overview
FishAmerica Announces Gulf Fund
Sportfishing Summit Attendees Have Their Say
ASA Board Approves Plans
ASA Thanks Summit Sponsors
2006 Sportfishing Summit—San Diego, CA
ICAST-ing
in 2006
Welcome
New Members!
ASA Membership Invoices Sent
Anglersurvey.com Launched in September
Policy
Watch—Government Affairs Update
Future
Fisherman Foundation Update
FishAmerica
Foundation Updates
Message
from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
2005 Sportfishing Summit—Bringing Industry Leaders Together
From Oct. 5-7, more than 125 sportfishing industry leaders representing
65 companies and organizations from the United States and Europe met
in Key Largo to focus on issues surrounding angling participation,
the federal manufacturers’ excise tax on sportfishing equipment and
the future of the industry and beyond. Three representatives from this
country’s most prominent consumer participation success stories—NASCAR,
NMMA’s “Grow
Boating” initiative, and the “Milk Moustache” campaign—shined
the spotlight on their industry challenges. Ron Ten Berge, Pure Fishing,
Inc., set the stage by providing an overview of current angling participation
numbers. Summit attendees were also provided with an in-depth look
at opportunities and challenges facing recreational angling from the
wholesale, manufacturer, retail and marketing points of view. Federal
and state officials also provided an overview on an array of topics
including the excise tax, the management and administration of the
dollars generated by the tax and state and federal fisheries management
programs. Look for a full reporting on special speakers, sessions, and committee
activities in the next issue of ASA’s newsletter
due out next month. For more information, visit ASA’s
Web site or contact Mary
Jane Williamson, x227.
FishAmerica Announces Gulf Fund
During the Summit, FishAmerica Foundation announced its intent to help
the Gulf Coast rebuild its sportfish habitat and facilities with the
establishment of the Gulf Fund. The foundation will work with state
and federal natural resource agencies to identify and prioritize projects.
Recreational fishing and boating are significant contributors to the
economy of this area and it’s only appropriate that the sportfishing
community play a role in helping rebuild it. FishAmerica accepts cash,
checks or credit card contributions. Please make checks payable to
FishAmerica Gulf Fund and mail to FishAmerica, 225 Reinekers Lane,
Suite 420, Alexandria, VA, 22314 or go online to www.fishamerica.org for
information on credit card donations. For more information, contact
Foundation Managing Director Johanna Laderman, x245.
Sportfishing Summit Attendees Have Their Say
According to the results, 100 percent of the survey respondents rated
the 2005 Sportfishing Summit as good or excellent. The Thursday morning signature
session, “Challenges Facing Angling Participation,” received high marks by
the attendees. Respondents indicated that they would like to hear more about
how other organizations deal with increasing consumer participation as well
as increasing industry participation at future Summits. If you attended the
Summit, but did not complete an evaluation, please fill out the Evaluation
Form and fax it to 703.519.1872. We would like to hear your thoughts.
If you would like more information, contact Brad Fisher, x222, or Ann Sweeney, x241.
ASA Board of Directors Approves Plans
During its October 6 meeting, ASA’s Board of Directors unanimously approved
plans to develop a new comprehensive sponsorship program through a Chicago-based
firm experienced working with associations. The Board also approved a plan
to raise the profile and effectiveness of the association’s federal political
action committee (PAC). In addition, the Board also moved to dedicate more
resources to strengthening and streamlining the Data and Statistics program.
The Board, along with the association’s
committees, met during the 2005 Sportfishing Summit. For more information,
contact Gordon Robertson, x237.
ASA Thanks Our 2005 Summit Sponsors
ASA would especially like to thank its sponsors—Shimano American
Corporation, Fishing
Tackle Retailer/ESPN Outdoors, the Trust for Public Land, the
National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, the Recreational Boating & Fishing
Foundation, BASS/ESPN Outdoors, Pure Fishing, Inc., SportScanINFO and Florida
Fishing Weekly—for helping make this year’s membership meeting
a great success.
2006 Sportfishing Summit—Make Your Calendars for Sunny San Diego
ASA invites its members and partners to join us for the 2006 Sportfishing
Summit scheduled for October 18-20 at the Paradise
Point Resort and Spa in San Diego, Calif. ASA’s staff and Board of
Directors met immediately after the 2005 Summit to jump-start the planning
process for 2006. ASA plans to have a program in place before and information
distributed before ICAST 2006. For more information, contact Mary
Jane Williamson, x227.
ICAST-ing in 2006
As of September 29, 2005 exhibitors have reserved 1,016 booths for ICAST
2006, scheduled for July 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This
means that 83 percent of the planned floor space is reserved; an increase
of more than 150 booths during the same time in 2005. With more than
80 percent of the floor already reserved, ICAST 2006 is on track for
another record breaking year. The New Product Showcase, the show’s flagship
feature, is expected to garner even more attention in 2006 as competition
for the “Best Of Show” awards
intensifies. In 2006, ICAST will, once again, coincide with the National
Marine Manufacturers Association’s Marine After Market and Accessories Trade
Show (MAATS). ICAST 2007 is scheduled for July 11-13 in Las Vegas. For
more information, contact ICAST Director Maria
del Valle, 703.519.9691 x240.
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcome these new members or members who reinstated their membership in September: Adamsww, Inc.; Canyon Plastics; Coastside Fishing Club; George L. Mc Nichol Company, Ltd.; Green Top Sporting Goods Corporation; Hi Way Innovation International Company Limited; and Polaris Flies.
ASA Membership Invoices Sent
Membership dues invoices for 2006 are being mailed this week with a due
date of November 15, 2005 for full dues or for a first installment. If
you have any questions, contact Membership Director Ric
Ice, 703.519.9691 x234, or Membership assistant Ann
Sweeney,
x241.
Anglersurvey.com Launched in September
www.anglersurvey.com, a new online survey, will help the sportfishing
industry better serve its customers. AnglerSurvey.com, developed by Southwick
Associates, Inc. will survey a panel of several thousand U.S. anglers
each month about their angling activities and purchases. This information
will be used to develop new products and better services to enhance the angling
experience. Anglers need to register only once, with the typical survey
taking about two minutes to complete. Anglers will be asked about their angling
activities in the past month, species pursued, products purchased, opportunities
desired and more. For more information, contact Southwick
Associates, 904.277.9765.
Policy Watch—Government Affairs Update
For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact Gordon
Robertson, VP and Government Affairs lead, x237 or Carol
Forthman, director, Ocean Resource Policy, x244.
Endangered Species Act
In October, the House of Representatives
passed its proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act. No
action has been taken in the Senate. ASA
is tracking the bill and will participate in any Senate activity although
Senate staff told ASA that it is unlikely that the Senate will take
any action in 2005.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Access Meeting
In October, ASA arranged
a meeting between Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service,
the association and local interest groups concerning access to Cape Hatteras
National Seashore for anglers using motorized vehicles. Director
Mainella expressed the importance of maintaining access, and assured
those present that their concerns would be addressed. The group also
met with a number of Members of Congress from North Carolina who pledged
their support.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Activity Continues
ASA is continuing to monitor
the progress on the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization. The
Senate is yetto release a second draft of its version of
the bill. The bill's progress has been delayed due to hurricane damage-related
issues in the Gulf of Mexico.
Smithsonian Ocean Hall Planned
The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History is planning
on establishing an Ocean Hall as a new exhibit. ASA submitted comments
on the project in October. ASA’s comments emphasized the need
for a focus on recreational uses of the ocean, especially sportfishing,
as part of our cultural heritage.
National Fish Habitat Plan Receives Funding
At the urging of ASA
and other fishery conservation groups, the National
Fish Habitat Plan received a $1 million Congressional appropriation.
At least 80 percent of these funds will be used in “on
the ground” habitat restoration projects. The purpose of the
plan is to stop fish habitat loss and provide funding for a coordinated
approach to fish habitat projects nationwide. ASA continues to play
a major role in the development of the plan. The plan is expected to
be completed by April 2006.
New Director of USFWS Confirmed by the U.S. Senate
Dale
Hall,
a fishery professional, has been confirmed as the new Director of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In November, ASA will host a reception
for Mr. Hall to acquaint him with the Washington, D.C. fishery conservation
community.
Open Rivers Initiative
In October, ASA and staff of the new Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) met with
NOAA regarding the dam removal program. Project money is expected to be available
in the 2007 budget year which begins October 1, 2006. The initiative is for
river systems with documented anadromous fish populations. Most of the funding
will go to dam removal projects with design and engineering plans already
in place, allowing for quick demonstration of results. ASA will continue
to monitor the development of ORI with an expectation that it will become
a viable option for fisheries restoration.
Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry recently held
a markup for the budget reconciliation process in which 2002 Farm Bill conservation
programs were recommended for reduction by approximately $1 billion, out
of a total $3 billion cut for the entire Farm Bill. Programs affected were
the Conservation Reserve Program, the Conservation Security Program and the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program. ASA signed a letter, along with
other conservation groups, urging Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
to consider making cuts more equitable across the board for all programs.
ASA will continue to support funding for conservation programs as the budget
reconciliation process makes its way through Congress.
Future Fisherman Foundation Update
In September, Anne Glick, resigned as Executive Director of the Future
Fisherman Foundation. Laura Jerome is now the acting Executive Director.
Requests for information about the foundation should be directed to
Laura Jerome, x254. Requests for
information about the PE Grants program go to Jesse Graytock,
x224. For information about the Executive
Director position, contact
Gordon Robertson, ASA VP, x237 or go to ASA's
Web site.
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
For more information about FishAmerica activities, contact Managing
Director Johanna
Laderman, x245 or Grants Administrator Jeff Bloem,
x247.
Annual FishAmerica Foundation Joint Committee
The FishAmerica
Foundation held its annual Joint Committee Meeting during the Sportfishing
Summit in Key Largo, FL. More than 13
organizations and state agencies were represented at the meeting.
FishAmerica Attends Conservation Resource Alliance Meeting
FishAmerica
Foundation staff attended the Conservation Resource Alliance annual
business meeting in Traverse City, MI. The Conservation
Resource Alliance received a FishAmerica grant to restore fish passage
in the Great Lakes watershed. This project was the first of two
projects in the Great Lakes funded through FishAmerica’s partnership
with the NOAA Restoration Center.
Planning for National Restoration Conference
FishAmerica Foundation
participated in the planning sessions for the third National Conference
on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration. The
Conference is scheduled to be held in New Orleans in December 2006.
FishAmerica was a sponsor of the second conference in Seattle, Washington
in September 2004.
FishAmerica Contributors
Since the beginning of the new fiscal
year (October 1), Pacific Products, Pro Line Manufacturing and NETGRA
have donated more than $13,500 to the FishAmerica Foundation through
a direct donation, FishAmerica-licensed products sales and an endowment
donation.
FY 2005 FishAmerica Contributors
A special thanks to the 47
members of the American Sportfishing Association who donated more than
$168,000 in Fiscal Year 2005 (ended Sept. 30) through direct donations,
licensed-product sales, tournament partnerships and endowment donations.
These members include: American Rod & Gun;
Angler's Choice/Suncoast of America, LLC; Aqua-Scent; Arkansas Game & Fish
Commission; Boone Bait; Captain Hook Enterprises, LLC; Castaic Soft
Bait, Inc.; Catalyst Marketing; Creek Company; Do-It Corporation; Emmrod
Fishing Gear; FisherGirl; FLW Outdoors; 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.; M&M Tasmanian Devil;
Matzuo America; Mercury Marine; Nanco; NETGRA; Nicholas-Shea; 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; Thomas Spinning Lures, Inc.; Water Gremlin Company;
Wright and McGill Company; and the Yakima Bait Company.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Over the past several months, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve
spoken with who’ve said how important it is to “make a difference.” From
assisting with the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast sportfish habitat and facilities
to engaging more people in angling to working with the association on key issues
affecting the sportfishing industry; it’s truly rewarding to know that
we all want to make a difference together.
I know I’ve said it here several times over the past several
months, but the devastation that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and now
Wilma, has wreaked on the people of the Gulf Coast and Florida is almost
too much to comprehend. As I’ve said, there is no doubt that
it’s going to take many years for the Gulf Coast region to return
to normal and ASA and the sportfishing community are going to play
a role in helping that happen through the FishAmerica Foundation’s
Gulf Fund. During its recent meeting, the ASA Board endorsed the establishment
of this fund as a long-term investment in the recovery of the area.
The foundation will work with state and federal natural resource agencies
and local community groups to identify and prioritize projects. Recreational
fishing and boating are significant contributors to the economy of
this area and this is your opportunity to help make a difference.
The 2005 Sportfishing Summit is another prime example of how we work
together to make a difference for the sportfishing industry. The success
of our recent Summit reinforced to me how much we as an industry continue
to evolve and how valuable the Summit is in providing a forum for our
members to meet and discuss issues that cut across all sectors of our
industry. We, as ASA staff, can provide a good venue, line up relevant
speakers and seminars, and handle all the logistics to make things
run, but everyone who came ready to contribute made the event a success,
and I want to thank you for that. At times like these, I really think
we've got what it takes to make a difference for the future of our
industry and the future of our sport.
As for making a difference, I want to thank our Summit sponsors—Shimano
American Corporation, Fishing Tackle Retailer/ESPN Outdoors,
the Trust for Public Land, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s
Caucuses, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, BASS/ESPN
Outdoors, Pure Fishing, Inc., SportScanINFO and Florida
Fishing Weekly—for their support and for helping make the
Summit a success.
In the next couple of months, you’re going to hear about a new
direction that the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation is taking
to further engage the sportfishing industry in the Take Me Fishing
campaign. The foundation, with ASA support, will ask our industry leaders
to focus on two things: growing school-based fishing and boating education
programs and taking the passion that avid anglers have for the sport
and actively sharing that with others. I believe this “one voice” approach
is the way to truly engage the sportfishing industry in making a difference
in angling participation.
I’m going to step away from my theme for a moment and update
you on the status of the federal manufacturers’ excise tax. The
IRS has told us that they, finally, will have a guidance document for
our review in early November. Gordon Robertson continues to be our
lead in this effort and we will provide you with information as soon
as possible.
If ever there was a time to get involved in the work of the American
Sportfishing Association, now is it. We’re here to make a difference
by helping ensure the future of our industry and your livelihood, but
we can’t do it without your help and involvement. If you have
any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or
Gordon Robertson.
