For Immediate Release
Contact:
ASA, Mary Jane Williamson, 703-519-9691 x 227
BASS, Mark Byrne
TBF, Robert Cartlidge, 580-765-9031
Cascade Musky Association, Mark Wells
NSIA, Liz Hamilton, 503-631-8859
Sportfishing Community Proposal Offers Assistance in Understanding Washington’s Loon Population
Alexandria, VA – November 29, 2010 – Three angler groups and two sportfishing industry associations have proposed a plan to the Fish and Wildlife Commission that will assist the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s efforts to understand and conserve loons that may winter-over and nest in Washington.
The Washington Chapter of the Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (BASS), The Bass Federation (TBF), the Cascade Musky Association, the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) have proposed in comments to the Commission that they work together with the Department to educate recreationists about loons and gather more accurate data on the numbers and distribution of loons in Washington.
On December 4, 2010, the Commission will decide whether to restrict or ban recreational fishing tackle containing lead on 13 Washington lakes in response to claims by some groups that these products are threatening loon populations in the state. The proposal will assist the Department in learning more about loons in Washington; have an educational component for water-based recreationists - including recreational anglers - on interactions with loons; encourage anglers to work with the Department on loon surveys and habitat projects; and provide some funding assistance to the Department for loon population studies.
“Even though there is no evidence that lead in recreational fishing equipment is adversely impacting the loon population in Washington, the angling community believes this proposal will lend to the understanding of loons in Washington,” said Mark Byrne with the Washington Chapter of BASS. “We are encouraged that the surveys performed by the department in recent years indicate loon populations in Washington are actually higher than they were in the mid-part and later portion of the 1900s and believe our proposal will contribute to the health of the loon population in Washington.”
“Anglers in this state and nationwide have long played a role in conservation, and were the first conservationists,” said Gary Morris of the TBF. “We believe this proposal furthers that ethic and adds to the body of evidence that is necessary for the Commission to make a balanced decision in the future, when the issue of lead and loons is better understood.”
The proposal currently before the Commission is to completely ban lead fishing products on all 13 lakes. Aside from the fact that such a decision is not based on complete or sound science, its adoption would increase the cost of fishing on these lakes and greatly impact recreational fishing opportunities because the proposal would ban all spinner baits, lures, terminal tackle and even some reels from the lakes because they contain lead. Even a restriction on specific fishing products such as sinkers or jigs may not be merited because data suggests that these products are not adversely impacting loon populations in Washington.
“The Department’s own assessment of the loon population in Washington shows that it is healthy, which is promising given that Washington is not within the core range of loons in North America,” said Gordon Robertson, Vice President of the American Sportfishing Association. “We urge the Commission and Department to work with the sportfishing community to implement our proposal and help foster a greater understanding of the threats to loons in Washington State.”
To learn more about this issue and to send a message to the Commissioners urging them to accept the sportfishing community’s proposal, please visit www.KeepAmericaFishing.org.
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The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America’s 60 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
The Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (BASS) has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, and ESPN3.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is the oldest and largest organized grassroots fishing groupin America. TBF is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. The TBF annually conducts over 20,000 fishing, youth, and conservation events spread throughout 48 state Federation chapters and over 2200 clubs and has provided the foundation for the bass fishing industry for over 40 years.
The Cascade Musky Association is a non-profit association established to provide and maintain an organization in which Fishing, Fun and Camaraderie will prevail. Its mission is to work with the WDFW on projects and issues vital to our Tiger Musky fishery and to educate and promote the sport of musky fishing with 100% catch and release.
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) was founded in 1993 by sport fishing industry business leaders who understood the need for a strong voice in local, state, regional and federal governments. NSIA represents the business interests of the many members that depend on healthy fishery resources for their livelihoods. For more information, including the entire list of scientists, visit www.nsiafishing.org.
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