American Sportfishing Association - Virginia-Offshore.com

The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic, and conservation values of sportfishing.

June 20, 2006�Alexandria, VA�Yesterday, the full Senate approved the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006, which moved forward with strong bipartisan support. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) successfully lead the effort to reauthorize the act which bears his name. The Magnuson-Stevens Act, to which it is commonly referred, is the most important law governing management of fish in federal marine waters. The new bill makes numerous changes to the Act, many of which directly address issues important to the future of recreational saltwater fishing.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has been actively involved in bringing important sportfishing issues before Members of Congress in the crafting of the bill. The Senate bill includes important issues for recreational anglers and marine fisheries conservation including: improving the role of science in fisheries management; guidelines to regulate the establishment of no-fishing areas; evaluating the economic impacts of all sectors when making allocation decisions; improving recreational fishing data by establishing a national registry of recreational saltwater anglers; and reducing bycatch through the development of new technologies.

"We appreciate Senator Stevens' willingness to listen to the issues important to the sportfishing industry. We will continue to work with the Senate and the House as the bill moves forward to final passage," said Mike Nussman, ASA’s president and CEO. "The basic elements of both bills form a good basis to move regulation forward to improve fishery resources and recreational fishing opportunities."

A similar bill, sponsored by Representatives Richard Pombo (R-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA) and Don Young (R-AK), is now pending in the House of Representatives. Both bills seek to improve recreational catch data, an issue highlighted by the National Research Council's report, issued in March of this year, which harshly criticized the current system as inaccurate and not suitable for fisheries management. The House version of the bill is expected to come up for a full House vote before Congress's annual August recess. ASA will continue to work with the House to ensure that the system for collecting recreational fishing data is both fair and managed appropriately. ASA is concerned that provisions relating to catch limits could penalize recreational anglers unfairly if the data are not improved.

Saltwater anglers contribute over $31 billion annually to the United States economy. Many communities in coastal states depend on sportfishing to support their local economies. Commenting on the importance of good management to good fishing, Gordon Robertson, ASA's vice president stated, "Recreational anglers and the businesses that serve them depend on abundant, sustainable and accessible fisheries. We look forward to having a new Magnuson-Stevens Act that furthers the protection of our fishery resources."

The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic, and conservation values of sportfishing.

March 31, 2006, Alexandria VA�The American Sportfishing Association supports the conclusions of the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies of Science that the data used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for fishery management decisions is "fatally flawed" and needs to be "completely redesigned."

During a March 29 meeting of state fisheries directors and the sportfishing community in Washington, D.C., the NRC, represented by a council member, made these remarks as part of its report to the group on the adequacy of NMFS’ recreational sportfishing data collection program. The NRC report was commissioned by NMFS and was conducted over the course of the past year.

For years, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has voiced its concerns about the recreational data used to regulate saltwater sportfishing. In many cases, closures and other restrictions have been imposed based on this data.

Recreational anglers have long been aware of the importance of conservation to keep fisheries healthy. In testimony to the NRC panel last year, ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman noted the sportfishing community’s commitment to fishery resources citing the approximately one billion in license fees and excise taxes that go directly to fishery management and conservation each year.

However, fishery management decisions can have severe economic consequences. Last fall, NMFS attempted to close the entire recreational grouper season in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, NMFS has recommended closing the West Coast ocean salmon season for the remainder of 2006 for all of California and part of Oregon.

The 13 million saltwater anglers in the United States contribute over $31 billion annually to the nation’s economy. Many communities in coastal states depend on sportfishing to support their local economies, and are the hardest hit by management decisions. Commenting on the importance of good data in making good management decisions, ASA VP Gordon Robertson stated, "fishery management decisions can have significant economic and resource impacts. They absolutely must be based on reliable data. If they are not, the public will have little confidence in those decisions." Robertson added, "for some sportfishing businesses, flawed data leading to flawed fishery management decisions can spell the end of their charter or tackle business. Not only does this trifle with a public trust resource but with an individual’s livelihood."

ASA supports recent efforts by Congress to improve recreational data. Currently, Congress is considering reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the principal federal law governing marine fisheries. Two of the proposed bills have provisions for improving recreational data collection. Nussman further said, "we are pleased that the authors of the Senate and House bills, Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Pombo respectively, have recognized the need for better sportfishing data, and look forward to working with them to find the most effective way to address this problem."

The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing.

March 23, 2006, Alexandria, VA�The FishAmerica Foundation, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is accepting proposals for community-based, fisheries habitat restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of Maryland with up to $100,000 in funding available for fiscal year 2006.Organizations involved with restoration programs for the Chesapeake Bay watershed are asked to submit proposals by June 2, 2006.Grants will be awarded in September 2006. Eligible projects include wetlands creation, riparian and aquatic vegetation restoration, streambank stabilizationand fish passage improvement.

In 2002, the FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation and research arm of the American Sportfishing Association, united with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a private, non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, in a four-year agreement that dedicates $100,000 annually to restore fish and habitat, improve water quality, and enhance fish stocks in this ecologically critical bay and its tributary rivers in Maryland.

Both organizations share the common mission to empower citizen conservationists to revive some of the nation’s most prized fisheries and valuable waterways. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s most recent survey, nearly 370,000 resident and non-resident anglers fished a total of 3.1 million days on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and represent over $414 million in economic impact.

"The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries represent one of this country’s largest national treasures as well as a pivotal fisheries resource," said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "Through this partnership, efforts to restore the Bay have begun to take hold and we are encouraging folks involved in conservation efforts to take advantage of this valuable resource."

In 2004 and 2005, the partnership funded eight projects, valued at over $148,300, for fisheries conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to Maryland-based organizations. The 2004 completed projects have achieved outstanding results with more than 1,100 volunteers planting 11 acres of wetlands and riparian areas along Bay tributaries as well as the creation of six acres of artificial and oyster reef fish habitat in the Bay proper. The 2005 projects included volunteers planting native vegetation and installing livestock exclusion fencing along two miles of shoreline in the upper Potomac River watershed in Allegany County, Md.; planting native vegetation along 200 feet of shoreline in the George’s Creek watershed in Allegany County, Md.; and planting underwater grasses along Back Creek in Annapolis, Md.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a private, non-profit organization created in 1985 by the Maryland General Assembly to promote public awareness and participation in projects that benefit the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. The Trust is supported by sales of the Maryland "Treasure the Chesapeake" license plate, voluntary contributions through the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund check-off on the Maryland state income tax return, and other private donations. The Trust has granted more than $12 million to nearly 2,500 community organizations and schools throughout Maryland for projects that restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

The FishAmerica Foundation is the conservation and research foundation of the American Sportfishing Association. FishAmerica unites the sportfishing industry with conservation groups, government agencies, fishing tournaments, corporations and charitable foundations, investing in fisheries conservation and research across the country. FishAmerica provides matching grants that empower citizen conservationists in their own communities. Since 1983, FishAmerica has provided more than $8 million for more than 800 fisheries conservation and research projects nationwide.

March 23, 2006, Alexandria, VA�The FishAmerica Foundation, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is accepting proposals for community-based, fisheries habitat restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of Maryland with up to $100,000 in funding available for fiscal year 2006.Organizations involved with restoration programs for the Chesapeake Bay watershed are asked to submit proposals by June 2, 2006.Grants will be awarded in September 2006. Eligible projects include wetlands creation, riparian and aquatic vegetation restoration, streambank stabilizationand fish passage improvement.

In 2002, the FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation and research arm of the American Sportfishing Association, united with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a private, non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, in a four-year agreement that dedicates $100,000 annually to restore fish and habitat, improve water quality, and enhance fish stocks in this ecologically critical bay and its tributary rivers in Maryland.

Both organizations share the common mission to empower citizen conservationists to revive some of the nation’s most prized fisheries and valuable waterways. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s most recent survey, nearly 370,000 resident and non-resident anglers fished a total of 3.1 million days on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and represent over $414 million in economic impact.

"The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries represent one of this country’s largest national treasures as well as a pivotal fisheries resource," said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "Through this partnership, efforts to restore the Bay have begun to take hold and we are encouraging folks involved in conservation efforts to take advantage of this valuable resource."

In 2004 and 2005, the partnership funded eight projects, valued at over $148,300, for fisheries conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to Maryland-based organizations. The 2004 completed projects have achieved outstanding results with more than 1,100 volunteers planting 11 acres of wetlands and riparian areas along Bay tributaries as well as the creation of six acres of artificial and oyster reef fish habitat in the Bay proper. The 2005 projects included volunteers planting native vegetation and installing livestock exclusion fencing along two miles of shoreline in the upper Potomac River watershed in Allegany County, Md.; planting native vegetation along 200 feet of shoreline in the George’s Creek watershed in Allegany County, Md.; and planting underwater grasses along Back Creek in Annapolis, Md.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a private, non-profit organization created in 1985 by the Maryland General Assembly to promote public awareness and participation in projects that benefit the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. The Trust is supported by sales of the Maryland "Treasure the Chesapeake" license plate, voluntary contributions through the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund check-off on the Maryland state income tax return, and other private donations. The Trust has granted more than $12 million to nearly 2,500 community organizations and schools throughout Maryland for projects that restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

March 6, 2006, Alexandria, VA�The Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) has $200,000 available in grant funding for physical education teachers who incorporate fishing and boating education into their curricula, offering up to $5,000 individual grants to help foster active leisure lifestyles and ethical attitudes about the outdoors.

Grant monies can be used for fishing and boating equipment, field trips, curriculum materials and other resources to assist instructors in carrying out fishing and boating education. Since its inception in 2003, the National Fishing and Boating Education Grants Initiative has supported 111 schools in 37 states with $515,000 in grants. The program was developed through a partnership between the F3, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), and National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

"We’ve had wonderful success in exposing and engaging children all across the country to fishing and boating," said Michael Bolinder, executive director of the Future Fisherman Foundation. "The interest in this program by teachers has been phenomenal. We’re fortunate that this partnership allows us to continually introduce fishing and boating in schools throughout the nation."

In addition to grants, sponsoring organizations bring access to a nationwide network of outdoor educators, conservation groups and youth organizations that offer a variety of versatile fishing and boating education programs that can be tailored for teachers’ specific interests and needs.

"Using fishing and boating to meet PE lifetime skills mandates is a natural," said Bruce Matthews, president of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. "Fishing and boating are great American traditions that connect families and friends for a lifetime."

The partnership also provides training, access to discounted fishing gear and equipment, and ongoing guidance from experts. A training workshop for grant recipients provides instruction on angling and boating skills, safety, and ethics; basic equipment set-up and maintenance; fish and their habitat needs; taking part in community conservation efforts; developing partnerships for access to fishing and boating sites; and recruiting long-term mentors for children.

Applications must be received at the foundation office on or before Friday April 14, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. All applicants will be notified in mid-May on the status of their grant proposals. The training workshop for grant recipients will be held in mid-July to help prepare teachers for the upcoming school year. Partners can also link teachers with state outdoor education professionals and community groups with tried-and-true fishing and boating education programs to help in the application process and ensure program success. The foundation staff is also available to provide technical assistance to complete the grant application.

The Future Fisherman Foundation is the fishing recruitment and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the sportfishing industry’s trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups, and youth organizations, offering a variety of fishing and boating programs, equipment, and services to community groups and schools across the country. These efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences that foster conservation ethics.

Alexandria, VA�The Future Fisherman Foundation, the angler education and recruitment arm of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Bolinder, Arlington, Va., as the foundation’s new Executive Director. His appointment is effective January 26, 2006.

Bolinder comes to the position with an extensive background in strategic planning, partner relations and government affairs. His background includes work as a Legislative Assistant to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; Deputy Director, Office of Federal-State Relations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and, most recently, advocating for the marine community before Members of Congress. Bolinder holds a BA in Political Science from Gordon College in Massachusetts. Bolinder is also a life-long angler having learned his fishing skills on the largest cranberry bog in Massachusetts.

The foundation’s Board of Directors chairman Jesse Simpkins, Marketing Director, Plano Molding Company, voiced his support for Bolinder. "I’m looking forward to working with Mike in his new role as Executive Director for the Future Fisherman Foundation," said Simpkins. "His enthusiasm for our programs and his passion for fishing, coupled with his experience and aptitude, will serve the foundation well. I encourage all ASA members to extend a warm welcome to Mike and ask how they can work with the foundation in 2006 and beyond."

Bolinder extends his thanks to the Board for the opportunity. "I’m really excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work," said Bolinder. "I’ve been fishing since I’ve been able to hold a rod and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring the angling experience to young people in communities across the United States." Bolinder further said, "No pun intended, but once a youngster is hooked on angling they will have a lifelong passion for the sport; a love for the environment around them; and, of course, a lifetime pursuit of "the big one that got away."

The Future Fisherman Foundation is the angler recruitment and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the leading recreational fishing trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups and youth organizations, offering a variety of fishing and boating programs, equipment, and services to community groups and schools across the country. These efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences that foster life-long conservation ethics.

Sale of Public Land Proposal Withdrawn
A provision in a House budget reconciliation bill that would have made possible the sale of public lands to mining and other companies was pulled from the bill. ASA joined forces with 24 other fishery and conservation groups in a united effort to have the provision removed. A joint letter was sent to members of Congress opposing the sale of public lands to mining companies and other developers because it would "open these previously public lands to development, fragmentation, habitat loss and potential pollution."

Landmark Legislation Introduced to Improve America’s Waters
After years of work by ASA and others in the fisheries community, a streamlined version of the Fishable Waters Act will be included in the Clean Water Trust Act of 2005. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) applauds the landmark legislation introduced by Chairman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee to address America’s growing infrastructure funding crisis. The Clean Water Trust Act of 2005 (H.R. 4560) will provide $7.35 billion annually to improve America’s waters.The Clean Water Trust Act will enhance fisheries through controlling sewer overflows, improving wetlands, encouraging research, spurring new technologies, enhancing investment in small and rural utilities and protecting critical regional waters such as the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and Gulf of Mexico.

Magnuson-Stevens Act Activity Continues
On December 15, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a revised bill reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. Most of ASA's top priorities�guidelines for no-fishing areas, consideration of economic data from all sectors, improving the Scientific and Statistical Committee, setting up an angler registration system, improved data collection, provisions for rationalizing commercial fleets and bycatch provisions�were included in revisions to the bill. ASA will continue to work with key members of the Senate and their staff as the bill moves to consideration by the full Senate.

Lawsuit Challenges Off Road Vehicle Use in National Park Service Lands
ASA joined with the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance, United 4 Wheel Drive Association, Dare County (NC) and other groups as an intervener in a lawsuit to defend vehicle access at Cape Hatteras. The Bluewater Network (a division of Friends of the Earth), the National Park Conservation Association and Wildlands CPR have filed a lawsuit asking the court to terminate all off road vehicle use in national seashores, national recreation areas and other Park Service lands that have not adopted regulations. If such an order were entered, many coastal areas would be shut off to angler access during rulemaking processes that could take many years. ASA has agreed to join other affected parties to intervene in the lawsuit to protect off road access.

Alaska Charter IFQs Put on Hold
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted at their early December meeting to establish a working group to revisit the management of the charter halibut fleet. This move effectively removes from consideration the proposed Charter Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program that had been previously submitted to NOAA for review. ASA had filed comments with the Council opposing the imposition of IFQs for charter fishing and requesting that the proposal be withdrawn from NOAA.

Wetlands Protection Challenged
In a move that may resolve unanswered questions left after the Court's decision in a previous case, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases concerning filling of wetlands. ASA has joined with other conservation organizations to file a "Friend of the Court" brief supporting the administration's view that the wetlands in question are subject to regulation. The two consolidated cases have challenged the federal government's right to regulate certain wetlands that are at the headwaters of, or adjacent to, streams. A ruling restricting the government's ability to control filling of these wetlands could seriously endanger many wetlands that serve as nursery grounds for fish, protect against the impacts of floods and keep pollutants from reaching surface waters.

FishNet Looks to 2006
In November, ASA convened a meeting of FishNet to discuss its course of action for 2006. Among the issues discussed were Forest Service Rise to the Future program needs, energy policy, the 2007 Farm Bill, the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, the Open Rivers Initiative, the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service "Scaling Up" events, the Fish Passage Center, a BLM update, Casting Call 2006 and National Fishing and Boating Week 2006.

January 5, 2006, Alexandria, VA�Through FishAmerica’s partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-based Restoration Program, up to $800,000 is available to restore marine and anadromous fisheries habitat across the coastal United States and the Great Lakes basin. This partnership emphasizes hands-on, grassroots approaches for on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including salt marshes, seagrass beds, mangrove forests and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species such as salmon and striped bass that spawn in freshwater and migrate to the sea.

"FishAmerica is looking forward to another successful year of partnering with the NOAA Restoration Center," said Johanna Laderman, managing director of the FishAmerica Foundation. "Since 1998, our close work with diligent community-based restoration leaders in 25 states has turned more than $3.7 million in funding into $8.6 million in vital fisheries habitat."

Community-based nonprofit organizations, such as local sporting clubs and conservation associations, as well as state and local agencies are encouraged to submit proposals. Projects must result in on-the-ground habitat restoration, clearly demonstrate significant benefits to marine, estuarine or anadromous fisheries resources, particularly sportfish, and must involve community participation through an educational or volunteer component tied to the restoration activities. Applicants are encouraged to partner with NOAA staff in order to strengthen the development and implementation of sound restoration projects.

Sale of Public Land Proposal Withdrawn
by Mary Jane Williamson