November 2010 American Sportfishing Association Policy Watch
Policy Watch is a monthly update for the sportfishing community about the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Government Affairs activities.
For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact Gordon Robertson, Vice President and Government Affairs Lead, 703.519.9691, x237, Mike Leonard, Ocean Resource Policy Director, x230, or Alyssa Hausman, Policy Fellow, x244.
EPA Rejects Petition to Ban Lead Fishing Tackle
ASMFC Rejects Addendum to Increase Commercial Harvest of Striped Bass
NOAA Releases Final Catch Share Policy
South Atlantic Bottom Fishing Closure Looms
2010 Sportfishing Summit – the Industry’s Business Meeting
ASA Launches the New Voice of the American Angler
NOAA Releases Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Action Agenda
NFHAP Inducted into Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
ASA Staff Participates in National Ocean Policy Coalition Meeting
Secretary Salazar Meets with Diverse Group on California Water Issues
Outdoor Participation Report Cites Fishing as Top Outdoor Activity
EPA Rejects Petition to Ban Lead Fishing Tackle
On November 4, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected a sweeping petition to ban lead in all fishing tackle. The petition, which was submitted on August 3, 2010, by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other groups, requested that the EPA ban all lead in fishing tackle in use on all U.S. waters under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The petition also included a request to ban the use of lead ammunition in hunting and shooting sports, which was denied on August 27, because it is exempted from EPA regulation under TSCA. Opposition from anglers was strong; more than 43,000 anglers sent comments requesting dismissal of the petition to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson through www.KeepAmericaFishing.org. In September 2010, legislation was introduced to both chambers of Congress to prevent an overarching federal ban on lead in recreational fishing tackle by placing it under the same TSCA exemption as ammunition (S. 3850 and H.R. 6284). ASA will continue to work with legislators and the EPA to ensure that future considerations of lead fishing tackle bans are made in response to sound science and not unwarranted petitions. Please send a message to your members of Congress in support of S. 3850 and H.R. 6284.
ASMFC Rejects Addendum to Increase Commercial Harvest of Striped Bass
On November 9, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted 10-4 to reject a proposal to increase the commercial harvest of Atlantic striped bass in state waters. In May, the ASMFC proposed an addendum to its current striped bass management plan that would have increased the commercial striped bass quota up to 50 percent. Striped bass is a popular sportfish and the nation’s largest marine recreational fishery. ASA submitted comments in opposition to the proposed commercial quota increase and encouraged anglers to send comments to the ASMFC through www.KeepAmericaFishing.org.
NOAA Releases Final Catch Share Policy
On November 4, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its final Catch Share Policy. After months of intense debate, the policy provides recreational anglers with two key elements: a framework to redistribute the benefits of harvesting the nation’s marine resources; and a commitment that catch shares have no place as a management tool for private recreational anglers. Coordinated input from the angling community significantly altered aspects of the draft policy - particularly the process of allocating fisheries between sectors. The system of assigning fixed percentages of various fisheries to commercial interests remains a controversial management tool to recreational anglers.
South Atlantic Bottom Fishing Closure Looms
On December 5, the current interim rules for South Atlantic red snapper are scheduled to expire and new rules will be put into place. A lack of adequate data has exacerbated problems in the fishery and may ultimately result in a closure of all bottom fishing in a 5,000-square-mile area off the coast of Georgia and Florida. The Fishery Conservation Transition Act (FCTA) will stop the use of large-scale closures as a way to solve decades of poor fisheries management and inadequate data collection. S.3594 and H.R. 6316 address a critical need to give federal marine fisheries managers the necessary time, resources and direction to address chronic deficiencies in data collection and science that have plagued federal fisheries management. Visit to www.KeepAmericaFishing.org to send a message to your Members of Congress urging them to support the FCTA.
2010 Sportfishing Summit – the Industry’s Business Meeting
Sportfishing industry leaders representing more than 100 companies and organizations throughout the United States and Canada met October 26 – 28, at the Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for the American Sportfishing Association’s 2010 Sportfishing Summit, the sportfishing industry’s premier networking and business management event. This year’s Summit focused on the domestic and international trade markets, fisheries resource management, advocacy and the political forces impacting the industry. According to the attendee surveys, the Summit – which had the highest member and company attendance since 2004 - received high marks for being both effective and useful as a business forum. During the three day meeting, ASA’s members unanimously supported ASA’s efforts to engage individual anglers in advocating for recreational fishing’s future through KeepAmericaFishing™. KeepAmericaFishing, established in 2006 as an information resource for California’s Marine Life Protection Act initiative, has grown and expanded over the past four years to become “the voice of the American angler.” The 2011 Sportfishing Summit is scheduled for October 12 - 14, at the Loews New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, La.
ASA Launches the New Voice of the American Angler
In October, prior to the 2010 Sportfishing Summit, ASA launched a revamped www.KeepAmericaFishing.org. The new website is easier to navigate and includes: national and region-specific information about issues affecting recreational fishing; the KeepAmericaFishing Anglers’ Bill of Rights; the Ethical Angler Pledge; how to sign-up for alerts and other information; and how to take action and make a contribution. The site also recognizes ASA members who have provided significant support for KeepAmericaFishing. Please take a few moments and visit the new “voice of the American Angler” at www.KeepAmericaFishing.org.
NOAA Releases Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Action Agenda
On October 26, NOAA released the Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Action Agenda. The Action Agenda is one of many steps that NOAA has taken following its April Recreational Fishing Summit to address the many issues that are currently facing marine recreational fishermen. Included in the Action Agenda is a $276,000 grant to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that will fund a workshop on how best to reduce catch and release trauma in saltwater recreational fisheries. The grant will also fund an extensive outreach campaign to educate anglers about reducing release mortality.
NFHAP Inducted into Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame headquartered in Hayward, Wis. The NFHAP aims to better protect, restore and enhance fish habitat through partnerships that foster conservation and outdoor opportunities for the American public. The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (NFHCA) formally authorizes and establishes a funding source for the NFHAP. ASA, as a part of the NFHCA legislative team, continues to advocate with Members of Congress for their support of the legislation and to seek additional sponsorship. ASA is urging both the Senate and House to include the Act in an omnibus fish and wildlife bill that Congress could pass in its lame duck session. To ensure that S. 1214 and H.R. 2565 are passed, please send a message to your Members of Congress today urging them to support the NFHCA.
ASA Staff Participates in National Ocean Policy Coalition Meeting
On November 9, the ASA Government Affairs staff attended the National Ocean Policy Coalition (NOPC) meeting at the American Petroleum Institute. The coalition met to develop federal, state, local and media strategies to address the National Ocean Policy implementation in 2011. ASA and the NOPC continue to work to ensure that the National Ocean Policy is implemented in a way that benefits the sportfishing industry.
Secretary Salazar Meets with Diverse Group on California Water Issues
On November 10, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar met with a diverse group of California water stakeholders, including members of the sportfishing industry, to discuss the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). The sportfishing community has concerns with the BDCP because it contains no measures for salmon conservation. Other groups opposing the BDCP include conservation organizations and local water agencies.
Outdoor Participation Report Designates Fishing as Top Outdoor Activity
The Outdoor Foundation released its annual Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, which looks at trends in outdoor recreation participation with a focus on youth and the future of outdoor activities. Recreational fishing maintains its position as the most popular form of outdoor recreation with 17 percent of Americans participating. Fishing ranked higher than running, camping and biking. Fishing is also mentioned as one of the top “gateway” activities, due to affordability and accessibility, which leads to participation in other outdoor activities.
Learn More
