Fishing industry leaders petition administration to fix mismanagement

[Hoo Nose]

Hoo Nose, are you a CCA member, just guessing here? I have read the above...twice. There is a lot that is misleading in all this.

The "Flexibility Act" is to temporally stop the bleeding and the loss of jobs and income from both the charter and commercial people, which also trickles down to the coastal towns with loss of income and jobs and taxes, which in effect, effects the recreational fishermen and women.

I am saddened to see that CCA is not in support of our fisheries and as usual with this group, you either think their way or you are wrong. I read an article this past spring where CCA was in support of "Catch Shares" auctioned off to the highest bidder, soon it will be the rich get to go fishing where the majority of the people have to sit at home and pay high dollar for imported seafood.SEE BELOW

Why is it with over 75% fish stocks "recovered" and another 15% on top of that "sustainable" then why is it, because of the "Magnusson Act", that they still reduce the amount of fish that we can take and put further restrictions on all of us, both recreational and commercial.which species are you concerned about? I'd like to look into these b/c I share your concerns of the government limiting our access to OUR fish. This is what the "Flexibility Act" is looking at slowing down or stopping. If you my friend think for 1 second that "Catch Shares" is good for us and will boost our economy, then you are sadly mistaken...

Have you read the letter written to Jane that I posted on the Big Game Forum?

Sportfishing Coalition's Letter to NOAA

What I'm seeing from the CCA seems reasonable. The above Q&A can be debated, but it brings to light a number of reasons why "flexibility" will not solve the problems of Rec. anglers. I never trust anything I read, and I'd be interested to know what parts you find misleading.

As a rec angler, that charters a great deal throughout the year to fish under recreational guidlines, rec fishing is most important to me.

It's tough for me to believe what I hear coming from commercial fishermen when I know many that would catch every last fish if it meant a pay day. I don't blame them for wanting that pay day, but when it comes at the expense of a FINITE public resource, I have major concerns.

This paragraph from the coalition letter really stands out in my mind.

"The recreational fishing industry is faced with massive fisheries closures, and the attendant job loss,
because the appropriate investment in recreational fishery economics data and angler catch data has
not been made. In addition, stock assessments for recreationally important species have been a lower
priority for NMFS than is justified by the economic contribution of the recreational fishing community.
Recreational fishing accounts for only three percent of the marine finfish harvested by weight, yet it
produces 56 percent of the jobs from all saltwater fisheries. Unquestionably marine recreational fishing
is a coastal economic engine that deserves an investment commensurate with the jobs and economic
output it provides to the nation, not to mention the millions of hours of recreation it provides to 13
million saltwater anglers who have an $83 billion impact on the nation’s economy. The agency needs to
focus on the sector that has the least environmental impact but provides the largest economic return to
the nation’s economy and allocate fisheries on that basis."

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that NMFS or NOAA is doing anything right here, and unless I'm mistaken, the CCA hasn't claimed that either.

I'd be interested to see the article you read about CCA and catch shares.

Here is some information from CCA on catch shares. I don't see these publications as supporting catch shares, but will gladly debate the issue with you.

http://www.joincca.org/media%20room/...S_language.htm

Make sure you read the letter to Secretary Locke in this link:

http://www.joincca.org/media%20room/...s%20Letter.htm

Overall I do not think the current flexibility bill will solve the problems that coastal communities are facing right now. I would also like to see a halt on closures, until MRIP is given a chance to give some good data to NMFS. MSA requires that the economic benefit of our fisheries are taken into account with management, and NMFS forgot that when they close the BSB season last fall using MRFSS' "Fatally flawed" data.

Yes, I am a CCA member, as well as a RFA member.

No organization will ever fully represent my wishes, but after seeing what happened at the march, I'm pleased to be a CCA member.

[marine4003]

I have so much to say about DC and our industry but still have not found the right words to say all I want to say.

So here is just a few comments and figures to sorta start my point.


* 2,461,694 Absolute Unique Visitors
Attachment 132881


Now I can say personally no one contacted me as the owner of this site to say " Hey John he is all the details for the march. Here is all the info on why rec's and commercial guys need to go. Also here are ads you can place around your sites to make people aware."
Now my father gets most data around here sent to him for posting so he can chime in and tell us also if anyone tried to use us to get info out on this.

Sadly the only thing I saw were a group of rec's posting up some info to try to get attention on there own behalf.

I stopped at the ac boat show a few weeks ago and was shocked when I spoke to a boat builder about this and he had never been contacted on this.

I will say it was incredible to see MR MOTSCO STANDING ALONE WITH A SIGN ON HIS CHESTS. For those of you that don't know that name that is the owner of one of your favorite east coast fishing tournaments the WHITE MARLIN OPEN.
Thank you MR. MOTSCO FOR STANDING IN!!!
ALSO THANK YOU WAYNE FROM JERSEY CAPE YACHTS FOR TAKING THE DAY OFF TO STAND IN!!!!

Now sadly
* 2,461,694 Absolute Unique Visitors MAN THATS ALOT OF VOTES....
But yet silence..........

You can see around here industry support is not great for the internet from the marine industry. But I was shocked even by the lack of magazine ads about the march.

All around I saw a lack of marketing.

Personally I started counting heads in the photos we took at the event and I'm starting to think the numbers were around 1200 to 1500 people. I no doubt could be wrong but I am going to do my best to get some kind of head count.

At the end of the day sadly we are very under educated.
I heard them say at the end of the rally a site would be launched with educational info for us.
WOW IN 2010 WE ARE GOING TO GET A SITE WITH INFO.

I guess better late then never.

Sadly money plays a big part. We are changing our ways here as we do have power of people.
So this is one reason you now see we have a online store.
Our goals are changing and we are trying to find away to fund education and move forward on a none bias level.
Away to hire the right people to look at the groups and info and give us a honest opinion where we as recs need to put effort.

All this send letter stuff to me is old school.

I want to open a forum for recs and com's to put up videos photos of what fishing is to them. Put up the stories of what a law will do to your town. Then send these links to the senators make them feel the story with heart and not a form letter.

VOTES
* 2,461,694 Absolute Unique Visitors

GROWING EVERY YEAR WE DO HAVE A VOICE.

I realize Its time for me to do the work that no one seems to want to do unless we pay them.......

Well I built this site on my dime cause I LOVE FISHING!
So I will change a lot of my ways to help fight for us..

Not gonna be easy and man I already am not liked by some and that will grow, but if the consumers of this industry are behind us I really believe we can help fight the fight to save a sport that is no doubt a FAMILY SPORT.
More to come.

A Rec fishers "Tea Party" yup, that's whats needed.But good luck forming one. Why am i skeptical? look at what the "people" have allowed to happen in Washington and the abuses suffered upon our Constitution.Its a dam shame that the majority of people,weather it be commercial fishermen or a weekend warrior,always figure someone else will be the one to make noise,write letters,circulate petitions,that,unfortunately has been the status for some time now. But,you,Jon, have an advantage. i don't know what your membership #'s look like, but i know there impressive. and by motivating members to participate in the political aspect of fishing will preserve our sport for years to come. What about a Re-registration,and on the form , having some sort of questionnaire,or opinion survey , bring the fight to the people instead of trying to get the people to the fight. show that things CAN be done,that there is a reason to stand up and shout.Most want to change things,but have been beaten down for so long...figure ...What For?
I for one will shout from the rooftops..and i know many others will also,all we need is someone to direct this to the right people.and unlike USBFA- CCA ect..theres no political posturing,no bullshit agenda..aside from the love of fishing. As for someone to direct this "Shout" i think you need to be the bandleader,your sheer stubborness built this site,using that same attitude will accomplish more than forum threads. Thanks. Steve

[Hoo Nose]

Gottaflylee, paging Gottaflylee.