December 2009 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 about our Government Affairs activities called Policy Watch. These documents can be found in the Government Affairs section of ASA’s Web site.
Condolences to the Storm Family
Paul Schluter Joins ASA’s Board of Directors
South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishery Closed
ASA Testifies in Support of National Fish Habitat Conservation Act
ICAST 2010 – Reserve Your Booth Space Today
Visit the Online ICAST Buyers’ Guide
Become a Facebook Fan!
March 2010 ASA Board of Directors Meeting
Renew Your Commitment to Sportfishing’s Future
Save on Shipping with PartnerShip
Welcome New Members!
Take an Active Role in New Member Recruitment
Book Your Space for the ASA Eastern Shows
Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame to Hold Annual Event
FishAmerica Foundation Updates
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Condolences to the Storm Family
Former American Sportfishing Association (ASA) board member Richard P. “Dick” Storm, 74, a resident of Pottsboro, Texas, passed away on Dec. 10, 2009, in Norman, Okla. On behalf of the sportfishing community, ASA extends our sincere condolences to the Storm family. Dick was a longtime association member, devoting many years to help ensure our industry’s future. Dick was the co-founder of Storm Plastics, Inc. located in Norman. He was also the president of PAMCO, Inc., and vice president of Storm Manufacturing Company. Dick’s fellow industry members voted him onto the association’s board of directors in 1988 where he served with distinction for 14 years. As the association’s treasurer, Dick was an Executive Committee member for six years. Dick was very involved the evolution of the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association to the American Sportfishing Association in the mid-1990s.His steady leadership was vital at that point in the association’s history.
Paul Schluter Joins ASA’s Board of Directors
In December, Paul Schluter, president, St. Croix Rods, joined ASA’s Board of Directors as an ex-offico member. Paul is a member of the Consumer Shows, Nominating and Show Committees. Paul brings to the board many years of experience and an extensive knowledge of the fly fishing industry. ASA thanks Paul for his commitment and support.
South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishery Closed
On December 3, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced an interim rule that will prohibit commercial and recreational anglers from fishing for red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida. The six-month closure became effective on January 4, 2010, and can be extended an additional six months if NMFS deems it necessary. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested the fisheries service implement this interim rule while the council explores long-term measures to address the critical condition of red snapper.
Prior to the final announcement, ASA provided comments on the proposed rule expressing its concerns with the proposal, especially given the potential economic impact it would have on the recreational fishing sector and the important role that recreational anglers play in fisheries conservation, and urging NMFS to find a balance between fishing restrictions necessary for the conservation of the fishery and economic impact. ASA continues to address this problem and will soon announce a multi-step campaign that seeks to protect both the fishery resource and recreational fishing opportunity.
ASA Testifies in Support of National Fish Habitat Conservation Act
On December 3, ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson testified before the United States Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works’ Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife in support of S. 1214 , the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (NFHCA). The next week, the Committee reported out the bill with a substitute amendment that included minor technical changes. The bill will next be voted on by the full Senate at a date to be determined. ASA continues to work with other members of the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (NFHCA) legislative team to encourage House of Representatives members to support the companion bill in the House, H.R. 2565 , and to seek additional sponsorship. In December, two additional House members signed on to the bill, including the first Republican – Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). To ensure this bill is passed, please send a letter to your House of Representatives member today asking for him or her to support the NFHCA. Additional co-sponsors are needed for this bill to succeed. For more information, visit ASAfishing.org . The foundation for the NFHCA is the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP). ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson sits on the NFHAP Board.
ICAST 2010 – Reserve Your Booth Space Today
From July 14 – 16, 2010, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), will return to Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center. “Get in on the action” by reserving your exhibitor space today and ensure that your business is front and center at the world’s premier sportfishing trade show. More than 70 percent of the available exhibit space is sold, so reserve your space today! The ICAST 2010 exhibit space contract , floor plan and the Top Five Reasons to Exhibit are available on ICASTfishing.org . Contracts and booth assignments will not be processed until a deposit is received. For more information, contact Kenneth Andres , x231.
Visit the Online ICAST Buyers’ Guide
The online version is an easy-to-use edition of the printedICAST Buyers’ Guidewhich is distributed during the world’slargest sportfishing trade show. Visit the online ICAST Buyers’ Guide for this “who’s who” in the sportfishing industry and see what each ASA members offer in products and services.
Become a Facebook Fan!
ASA, ICAST, KeepAmericaFishing and the FishAmerica Foundation combined have well over a thousand Facebook fans; but with 60 million anglers in the United States, we have a long way to go. Become a fan today and let your friends and family know that they, too, can be a sportfishing fan and do their part to stay informed and help keep our nation's fish and their habitats healthy and accessible now and for the future. Signing up for Facebook access is easy to do. Simply go to www.facebook.com and register an e-mail and password. Once you’re there, type in the American Sportfishing Association, ICAST, KeepAmericaFishing or FishAmerica in the Search box to visit each individual Facebook page. You don’t need to have a personal page to become a fan.
March 2010 ASA Board of Directors Meeting
The next ASA board of directors meeting will be held March 5, 2010, in Long Beach, Calif., in conjunction with the ASA/Fred Hall Shows. For more information, contact Joyce Anderson Logan , x233.
Renew Your Commitment to Sportfishing’s Future
ASA mailed its annual membership dues renewal invoices in mid-November. The due date was November 15 for full or a first installment payment. If you have not received your company renewal or you have questions about dues or member status, contact Jill Calabria, x234.
Save on Shipping with PartnerShip
Effective January 4, both FedEx and UPS raised their shipping costs. FedEx raised the net average shipping rate for FedEx Express by 3.9 percent. UPS increased its rates by an average of 4.9 percent for UPS Ground and Ground Hundredweight shipments and a net average increase of 4.9 percent on all air express and U.S. origin International shipments. PartnerShip LLC administers the ASA Discount Shipping Program and offers ASA members discounts up to 29 percent with FedEx and 58 percent with UPS Freight. For more information about this ASA member benefit, or to enroll in the free program, please visit www.PartnerShip.com/25ASA or contact PartnerShip at 800-599-2902 or sales@partnership.com.
Welcome New Members!
ASA welcomes these new members or members who reinstated their membership in December: J & B Tackle, Niantic, CT and Winn Grips, Huntington Beach, CA.
Take an Active Role in New Member Recruitment
New ASA recruitment efforts have made it easier for current members to refer new members for ASA membership. If you would like to help ASA recruit new members, please:
- Include www.asafishing.org/tellmemore in your e-mail signature line, your e-mails to business colleagues or include the link on your Web site.
- Run ASA’s member recruitment advertising in your publication(s), Web site or electronic communications.
Contact Jill Calabria, x234 for more information or to obtain copies of the member brochure or ad.
Book Your Space for the ASA Eastern Shows
It’s not too late to reserve your space for the 2010 ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition consumer shows: Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Worcester, Mass.,Feb. 11-14, 2010; Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow, Oaks, Pa., Feb. 25-28, 2010; World Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Suffern, N.Y., Mar. 4-7, 2010; and The Saltwater Fishing Expo, Somerset, N.J., Mar. 19-21, 2010. Current ASA members who participate in all four of ASA/ Eastern Fishing & Outdoor exposition shows will receive a 20 percent discount on standard priced booth space.To sign up for exhibit space, contact the ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo staff at 603-431-4315 or e-mail info@sportshows.com for more information.
Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame to Hold Annual Event
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is holding a national fishing content on May 1, 2010, in Hayward, Wis., to raise funds for the facility. The event is expected to attract thousands of participants from the upper Midwest and across the United States. For more information, contact Executive Director Emmett Brown, fishhall@cheqnet.com , or Will LeBreche, info@digitalcreekbed.com .
FishAmerica Foundation Update
To help FishAmerica keep our nation’s fish and waters healthy, visit FishAmerica online at www.fishamerica.org or contact Executive Director Johanna Laderman , x245 or Grants Manager Erica George , x247.
ASA Member Contributions
FishAmerica would like to thank the following ASA members for their FY 2010 donations to the foundation: BASS Federation Nation; Calderone & Associates; Citti Sales; Corporate Products, LLC (CORPRO); Costa Del Mar; Ferguson-Keller Associates, Inc.; Frank & Fran's Fisherman's Friend, Inc.; Lamiglas, Inc.; Pro Line Manufacturing; Proactive Sales & Marketing NE, LLC; Real Sports; Red Drum Tackle Shop, Inc.; and Yakima Bait Company.
Follow FishAmerica on Twitter and Become a Fan of FishAmerica on Facebook
Get the latest updates on FishAmerica and find out about available funds to help keep our fish and waters healthy by following us on Twitter and Facebook.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Happy New Year everyone! Like most of you, I took some time off during the holidays which I spent with family and friends. Now that January is here, we’re all back in our respective offices looking out to 2010 and what the new decade will bring. I’m sure 2010 will bring its share of new challenges even as we to continue to wrestle with the issues that presented themselves during the past decade.
Back in December, I attended a meeting in Washington, D.C. where the keynote speaker was Peter Hart, an international public opinion pollster who counts as his clients some of the most influential individuals and organizations in the United States. He shared with us a number of interesting survey results, but the one that really stuck with me were the results of a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey in which only 23 percent of Americans said they trust that our government is doing what’s right. Only 23 percent! This does not bode well as we look to our government – state and federal – to step up and do what’s right for its citizens.
This is certainly the case in California where policy makers have mislead the sportfishing and boating industries throughout the state’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) planning and implementation process. California is doing its very best to restrict the state’s millions of saltwater anglers from enjoying their sport in its shortsighted and fiscally irresponsible quest to establish far reaching, marine protected areas – essentially no-take zones - in the state’s coastal waters.
This wasn’t the picture painted for us in 2006, when the Director of California’s Department of Fish and Game met with the American Sportfishing Association’s Board of Directors and asked us to become involved in the MLPA implementation process. He told us that we needed to have individuals on the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Science Advisory Team to ensure that recreational fishing’s interests were well represented. Despite our good faith efforts, this never happened. In hindsight, it’s clear that MLPA resource policy makers have never viewed us as full partners in the MLPA process relegating us to minority representation on the task forces and misleading us every step of the way. We’ve even been criticized for being involved in the MLPA process even though California officials asked us to participate!
Frankly, we deserve more from California’s resource policy makers who don’t seem to mind taking industry and anglers’ money. Nearly 60 years ago the sportfishing industry recognized the need to fund fisheries management efforts in this county by agreeing to a federal excise tax on fishing tackle. Since then, billions of dollars have been apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries conservation with California being one of the biggest benefactors. Between the excise tax and state fishing license fees, $80 million per year is dropped into California’s budget, a fact that seems lost on California’s MLPA implementation officials.
In fact, in his remarks made before industry leaders during our October Sportfishing Summit in San Diego, California’s Natural Resources Secretary couldn’t even name the program which provides his state tens of millions of dollars in conservation funds each year. It was as insulting as it was telling.
If Peter Hart is to be believed, as a country we are at an all-time low in trusting our government and its processes to do the right thing for its citizens. I’ve been advocating on behalf of our industry for close to 20 years and working on fisheries and conservation issues for more years than that. I have to say that having watched the MLPA process in California, it’s very easy for me to understand why we have lost our faith in our government.
