October 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.
2006 Sportfishing Summit Overview
Sportfishing Summit Attendees Have Their Say
ASA Thanks Summit Sponsors
2007 Sportfishing Summit—Sanibel, FL
ASA Board Appoints Executive Committee
Board of Directors to Meet in March
ICAST 2007—THE Show of Unity for 50 Years
ASA Members Speak Up
RBFF Bids Farwell to Bruce Matthews
USFWS to Release Survey Results in Mid-2007
Member Services: Working for You
ASA 2007 Membership Dues
Welcome New Members!
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Future Fisherman Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
2006 Sportfishing Summit Overview
More than 160 leaders of the sportfishing industry representing over 70 companies
and organizations gathered to attend committee meetings, sessions and networking
events as part of ASA’s 2006 Sportfishing Summit. The Summit was held October
18-20, at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, Calif.
Thursday morning’s session featured Larry Steinmetz, Ph.D.,
president, High
Yield Management, Inc., who gave attendees a lot to think about
when it comes to pricing and profits. After lunch, a panel of influential
West Coast outdoor journalists provided insight into issues surrounding
California’s Marine
Protected Areas, and how the existing and potential no fishing zones
may effect the rest of the country. The members of the media panel
were David Bacon, captain, Wavewalker Charters, Rich Holland, associate
editor, Western Outdoor News, Pat
McDonell, editor, Western Outdoor News and Ed Zieralski, owner,
All Outdoors Radio Network and outdoor writer for the San Diego
Union Tribune.
The media panel was moderated by Bill Shedd, president, AFTCO. During
its October meeting, ASA’s Board of Directors elevated the no-fishing
zones issue to a high priority for ASA, directing staff time and additional
funding for this key issue.
Ted Fishman, author of China,
Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the
World, spoke
Friday morning about the rise of China and how it affects the way we
do business across the globe. Fishman’s remarks were punctuated
by a member panel that discussed doing business in a global economy
from the sportfishing industry’s
perspective. The panelists were Dave Pfeiffer, executive vice president,
Shimano American Corporation; Paul Schluter, president, St. Croix
Rod Company; and Ken Sarber, senior tackle buyer, Dick’s Sporting
Goods.
Look for a full report on speakers, sessions and committee
activities in the October/November issue of ASA’s newsletter, American
Sportfishing.
For more information, visit ASA’s
Web site or contact Mary
Jane Williamson, x227.
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Sportfishing Summit Attendees Have Their Say
According to the results of the attendee survey, 100 percent of respondents
rated the 2006 Sportfishing Summit as good or excellent. If you attended
the Summit, but did not complete an evaluation, you can find an Evaluation
Form on ASA’s Web site. Please complete the survey and fax it to 703-519-1872.
We appreciate your thoughts. For more information, contactMary
Jane Williamson, x227.
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ASA Thanks Summit Sponsors
ASA would especially like to thank the 2006 Summit sponsors—ZEBCO/WC
Bradley, Bass Pro Shops, BASS/ESPN
Outdoors, The Outdoor
Channel,
the Recreational Boating and Fishing
Foundation, Plano
Molding Company, Frabill,
Inc., Fastlane
Sailing and Kayaking and Dana Landing—for
helping to make this year’s membership meeting a great success. For
information about sponsorships for the 2007 Sportfishing Summit, contact Mary
Jane Williamson, x227.
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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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ASA
Board Appoints Executive Committee
ASA’s Board of Directors appointed members to the Executive Committee at
the October Board Meeting in San Diego, Calif. The Executive Committee members
for the 2006–2008 term are: Chairman Randy Lemcke, Plano Molding Company;
Vice Chairman Jeff Pontius, ZEBCO/WC Bradley; Treasurer Gary Zurn, Big Rock Sports;
Secretary Jeff Marble, Frabill, Inc.; and At-large Member Ed Dinkins, Bass Pro
Shops. For more information, please contact Joyce Anderson-Logan,
x233.
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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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ICAST
2007—THE Show of Unity for 50 Years
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. With nearly 80 percent
of the show floor already 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 nationwide. For more information, visit ICAST
on the Web or contact Maria
del Valle, x240 or Kelly Camirand,
x231.
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ASA Members Speak Up
In September 2006, the American Sportfishing Association distributed the 2006
Member Survey. Every other year, ASA surveys its membership to assess both how
well the organization is serving the needs of the sportfishing industry and what
the association can do in the future to address members’ top concerns.
According to the members who completed the survey, ASA's overall performance
has improved significantly when compared to the results of the 2004 survey. In
the recent survey, over half of the responding members rated ASA's performance
as "very good" or "excellent"—a 40 percent improvement
over the 2004 survey. Look for a full report on the 2006 Member Survey in the
October/November issue of American Sportfishing, ASA’s newsletter.
For more information, contact Rob
Southwick, Southwick Associates, 904.277.9765.
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RBFF Bids Farewell to Bruce Matthews
Bruce Matthews, the first president and CEO of the Recreational
Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) has announced his resignation. RBFF’s
Board of Directors has begun a search for Matthews’ successor. During Matthews’ tenure,
RBFF successfully launched the “Take
Me Fishing™” campaign targeted to occasional and lapsed anglers.
It also launched the Anglers’ Legacy program
designed to encourage avid anglers to take someone fishing in order to promote
the future of sportfishing. Matthews’ departure will coincide with RBFF’s
mid-winter meeting, January 31, 2007, at which time RBFF plans to introduce its
new leader. For more information, contact RBFF Vice President Kristen
Chambers, 703.519.0013.
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USFWS to Release Survey Results
in Mid-2007
In mid-2007, the next 5-year U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National
Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation will be released.
This survey, based on responses by thousands of anglers nationally, is considered
to be one of the most definitive resources on angling in the United States. The
survey is expected to contain not only numbers of anglers, but also information
on how much money anglers spend on the sport. ASA will announce the results of
the survey as soon as they are available. Additionally, ASA is considering hosting
a session detailing the results of the survey at the 2007 Sportfishing Summit.
For more information, contact Rob
Southwick, Southwick Associates, 904.277.9765.
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Member
Services: Working for You
Bringing you benefits that boost your company’s bottom line is an important
part of ASA’s member services. Members Services is evaluating the effectiveness
of the current benefits
and discount services ASA provides and will keep members updated on any changes
once the assessment is completed. For more information, contact Brian
Blank, x234 or Ann Sweeney,
x241.
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ASA 2007 Membership Dues
ASA members should expect to see their 2007 ASA membership dues invoices in the
mail within the next two weeks. The due date is November 15 for full dues or
for a first installment. If you have any questions, contact Brian
Blank, x234 or Ann Sweeney,
x241.
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Welcome
New Members!
ASA
welcomes these new members or members who reinstated their membership
in October: The Allen Company, Inc., Broomfield, CO; Anderson Hooks,
Mika, MN; Blackwater International, Inc., Manhattan Beach, CA; Cosimex,
Inc., Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Fin-Tech Tackle Company,
Ellsworth, WI; Fisherman’s Warehouse, Manteca, CA; Graywood Sporting
Group Inc., Victoria, BC, Canada; North Carolina Beach Buggy Association,
Manteo, NC; Rivendell, LLC, Earlysville, VA; Skyline Sales, Anchorage,
AK; Sundance Marine, San Diego, CA; and Triple Crown Outdoor, Glen Lyon,
PA.
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FishAmerica
Foundation Updates
To help FishAmerica keep our nation’s fish and waters healthy, contact
Director Johanna
Laderman, x245. For more information about FishAmerica grant activities,
contact Grants Coordinator Jeff
Bloem, x247.
Donate to FishAmerica Online!
The FishAmerica Foundation has launched its new online donation system.
Donors can now contribute to the foundation directly at www.fishamerica.org/store.
Northeast Fish Passage Projects
In conjunction with a dam removal workshop in Hadley, Mass., Jeff Bloem,
FishAmerica grants coordinator, visited six fish passage project
sites in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Over the past
several years, FishAmerica has awarded $122,350 to these projects
through its partnerships with the NOAA Restoration Center and U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Program. The projects have restored, or will restore, access to 40
miles and 44 acres of habitat for alewife, blueback herring, shad
and Atlantic salmon. Bloem also visited several potential fish passage
project sites.
California Fish Habitat Projects
In conjunction with the 2006 Sportfishing Summit, Johanna Laderman,
FishAmerica director, visited two project sites in California funded
through FishAmerica’s partnership with the NOAA Restoration
Center. In Northern California, Laderman visited a floodplain restoration
project along the Tuolumne River. The local group matched a $40,000
grant with nearly $60,000. More than 250 community volunteers restored
240 acres of floodplain habitat (critical for juvenile salmon and
steelhead) and 184 acres of riparian habitat. In Southern California,
Laderman visited a wetland restoration site at the mouth of the San
Diego River. The local group matched a $25,000 grant with $67,500
and more than 1,600 volunteers participated in outreach and restoration
activities to restore 10 acres of wetland habitat.
Cool Fish Wines Featured at Sportfishing Summit
Stonehedge
Winery, maker of Cool
Fish Wines and FishAmerica’s newest partner, held a wine
tasting at the Sportfishing Summit in San Diego. Shahin Shahabi, owner
of Stonehedge Winery, Napa, Calif., introduced the Cool Fish wines
to ASA members and partners during the Summit’s Welcome Reception.
Although not the first partnership of its kind for FishAmerica, Cool
Fish is the first non-endemic partner to team with FishAmerica for
cause-related marketing. To find out where to purchase Cool Fish
or for more information, visit www.fishamerica.org.
ASA Member Contributions
FishAmerica thanks the following ASA members for their FY 2006 donations
to the FishAmerica Foundation through direct donations, FishAmerica
Gulf Fund donations, licensed-product sales, tournament partnerships
and endowment donations: American Rod & Gun; Angler's Choice
by Suncoast; Aquatic Release; Automata Devices, Inc.; Bass Pro Shops;
Calderone & Associates; Captain Hook Enterprises, LLC; Carrera-Werner
Sales Company; Castaic Soft Bait, Inc.; Citti Sales; Corporate Products,
LLC; Creek Company; Do-It Corporation; Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle;
Emmrod Fishing Gear, Inc.; E-Tackle, Inc.; Ferguson-Keller & Associates,
Inc.; Fishing and Hunting News; Flex Products; FLW Outdoors; Frank
and Fran's Fisherman's Friend; G.Loomis; GAMMA Technologies; Kanji
International; KeelShield, Inc.; KFM & Associates; Kowa American
Corp.; Kureha America Inc. ; Lamiglas, Inc.; Lipper Tools, Inc.;
LJS Endeavors, Inc.; Ludwikoski and Associates, Inc.; Magic Products,
Inc.; Marine Metal Products; Matzuo America ; NETGRA; Outdoor Pro
Shop, Inc.; Pacific Products; Pelagic, LLC; PRIMEDIA; Pro Line Manufacturing;
Reel E Good Products, Inc.; Shimano American Corporation; Sport Fishing & Communications
Unlimited; Sportco Marketing, Inc.; Sports, Inc.; Supacam; Tackle
Tech; Thomas Spinning Lures, Inc.; Tormenter Fishing Products; Tournament
Fish Care Products; TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group; Wingli Craftwork;
Yakima Bait Company; and Zebco/WCBradley.
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Future
Fisherman Foundation Updates
For more information on Future Fisherman activities, contact
Executive Director Mike
Bolinder, x238, National Program Coordinator Anne
Danielski, x254 or Grants Coordinator Jesse
Graytock, x224.
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
It’s gratifying to know that, according to our members and guests, it was
another successful year for the Sportfishing Summit. As a staff, we do our best
to provide a good venue, line up relevant speakers and seminars and handle all
the Summit logistics to make things run as smoothly as possible, but everyone
who came contributed to the event’s success, and I want to thank you for
that. The ASA staff did a great job and I want to acknowledge their efforts. I
also want to thank the ASA Board of Directors, committee chairmen and committee
members for the considerable time and effort they put into ensuring that ASA’s
programs are addressing the concerns of the sportfishing industry. Personally,
as an angler, I appreciate the fact that the entire sportfishing community, from
industry to state and federal agencies to the media, works together to “watch
the backs” of anglers everywhere.
To that end, this past September, ASA sent a survey to ASA members
to find out how we’re doing. Every other year, ASA surveys its
membership to assess both how well the organization is serving your
needs and what the association can do in the future to address members’ top
concerns.
In the survey, members were asked to rank their top three concerns
about doing business in the sport fishing industry. “Profit
margins” was the top concern, followed by “number of anglers” with
a third place tie between “quality of fishing” and “access
to fishing opportunities.” However, members reported that their
top concerns were not necessarily the top roles ASA should address.
According to the survey respondents, "number of anglers" followed
by "access to fishing opportunities" and “quality of
fishing" were the top three issues in which ASA should
be involved. As ASA’s President, it’s very important
for me to know that according to our members, ASA's overall performance
has improved significantly when compared to the results of the 2004
survey. We continuously strive to improve our ability to meet your
needs.
As far as the Summit as a venue for addressing some of your top concerns,
the issues of access and quality of fishing are embodied in California’s
struggle over no-fishing zones. During its October meeting, ASA’s
Board of Directors decided to make the proposed ocean closures off
California’s coast a high priority for this association, providing
funding for crucial economic and scientific studies and other activities
to respond to the claims of environmental groups who are driving the
no-fishing process. Make no mistake; the decisions made in California
will have ramifications for sportfishing across the United States.
During his presentation on profits and pricing, Dr. Larry Steinmetz’s
explanation of why a business should not lower its prices resonated
with everyone in the audience. His message has particular impact in
this increasingly global economy where China, according to Ken Sarber,
senior tackle buyer for Dick’s Sporting Goods, has played a significant
role in depressing the price of goods. Ken and several other ASA members
provided their viewpoints on what it’s like to do business when
competition is on a global scale.
Where we do we go from here? We’re already thinking about the
2007 Sportfishing Summit scheduled for next October on Florida’s
Gulf Coast. Please send us your thoughts and suggestions. This is your
meeting and we want to develop an agenda that is relevant to you and
your business needs. Once again, my thanks to everyone for making the
2006 Summit a great event.
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