RFA Plans march on Washington

[jackdaniels]

For Immediate Release December 16, 2009
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. 888 564-6732
FISHERMEN TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON
“UNITED WE FISH” TO ASK FOR CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE ON FEB. 24
12/16/09 - In a historic show of solidarity, recreational and commercial fishermen will gather
together on the steps of the Capitol on February 24, 2010 from noon until 3 p.m. in an organized
demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation
and Management Act (MSA), the federal fisheries law which was revised in January of 2007.
Coordinating the march under the flag of United We Fish, rally organizers are hoping to see a
large show of force in defense of coastal communities.
“The closures keep coming and it’s good to see the collective fishing communities and
industries, both recreational and commercial, calling for scientific based Magnuson reform,” said
Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). “We are all in this
together.” Donofrio cited recent closures of amberjack, black sea bass and red snapper
fisheries as examples of what he calls a “broken” federal fisheries law.
The groups organized through United We Fish are hoping to prove to legislators just how many
American anglers and business owners are truly being impacted by the overly restrictive
management requirements created by MSA based on non scientific arbitrary deadlines.
According to Bob Zales of the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), the timespecific
deadlines mandated by MSA coupled with flawed data collection methods are forcing
anglers off the water. “We fully support real science based management and the conservation
of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational and commercial fishing
activities, providing locally caught seafood, sustaining small family businesses, and supporting
our coastal communities.”
This effort is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including but not limited
to the RFA, CCGF, United Boatmen of New York, United Boatmen of New Jersey, New York
Sportfishing Federation, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association and the Fishing
Rights Alliance. “Some people have asked ‘why, it’s winter’,” said Donofrio who said he’s gotten
the required permits and expects a large crowd in DC on February 24th, regardless of weather.
“We can’t let seasons stop the momentum, and if we wait any longer none of us will be fishing.
Many members of Congress will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us,” Donofrio said.
Nils Stolpe, a consultant to the commercial fishing industry and columnist for SavingSeafood.org
said that over the past three decades since the original Magnuson Act was established,
fishermen have been gradually phased out of the fisheries management process, regardless of
sector. “The scientists have been put in charge, and as the list of closures and restrictions up
above painfully demonstrates, the Act has been turned into a weapon that is now being used
against fishermen and fishing communities.”
U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) first introduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American
Fisheries Act of 2008 in the 110th Congress to provide "limited flexibility" for federal fisheries
management. More than 100 fishing groups and industry members from around the country
pledged their support for the legislation and the bill’s 19 bipartisan coastal cosponsors, but the
bill languished during the volatile economic climate in advance of the presidential elections in
November of 2008.
PRESS RELEASE
Recreational Fishing Alliance
176 B South New York Road, Galloway, NJ 082054
P: 1-888-564-6732 F: 609-404-1968
Realizing that fisheries closures would continue without congressional intervention, in March of
this year, Rep. Pallone and fellow Representatives John Adler (D-NJ), Henry Brown, Jr. (R-SC),
Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Barney Frank (D-MA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI),
Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and
John Tierney (D-MA), reintroduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009
(HR 1584). Twenty-five co-sponsors have since pledged support including Rob Andrews (D-NJ),
Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Peter King (R-NY), Rob Wittman (RVA),
Jo Bonner (R-AL), John Mica (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH),
Clifford Stearns (R-FL), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL).
Following a letter-writing campaign by the RFA-NY and members of the New York Sportfishing
Federation, senior Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York announced his Senate
version of the bill (S.1255). Currently, the Senate bill to correct the flaws in MSA has no cosponsors,
which is something United We Fish organizers are hoping will change in February.
“New York’s Senator Schumer is as concerned about his fishing constituents as he is about the
fish, just as Congressmen Pallone, Frank, Jones, LoBiondo, Kennedy, Adler and others in the
House of Representatives are,” said Stolpe. “Hence they have formed the nucleus of a growing
movement in Congress that, in spite of the editorial opinion of the New York Times and the
expenditure of many millions of dollars by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is aimed at preserving
recreational and commercial fishing, the lifestyles of millions of fishermen, and the tens of
thousands of businesses and hundreds of fishing communities that they support,” Stolpe added.
Organizers from within the recreational fishing sector are hoping to get commitment from all
user groups and across varied state and regional boundaries. “This is much bigger than any
one state issue or individual grievance,” said RFA’s Managing Director Jim Hutchinson, Jr.
“Whether it’s our restrictive fluke fishery in New York, the arbitrary closure of state waters for our
anglers in California, or the shutdown of red snapper and amberjack down south, our
community has been divided by preservationist tactics for too long. It’s time to unite the clans in
defense of our coastal heritage and traditions,” Hutchinson said.
“We need to let Congress and NOAA know that we are the collective voice of the recreational
fishing community and the collective voice does not accept the current broken management
system which wreaks such havoc on all of us and our businesses,” said Donofrio, adding “The
goal on February 24th will be to get all of our congressional friends to attend.”
“At this point Senator Schumer and his Congressional colleagues in the House deserve the
thanks and the support of every one of us who fishes, whether for fun or profit,” said Stolpe.
The United We Fish rally is set for 2/24/10 at noon at the Capitol. For details as they become
available, sign up for the RFA’s email newsletter on the homepage at www.joinrfa.org.
######
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing
recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues.
RFA’s Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry
jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries.
For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA.

[thesnooker]

I have been fishing Florida waters since the mid 1960s and can tell you that fishing is my favorite sport. But there comes a time when 'we the people' need to focus on what is really important in life. I'm referring to our government. Please hear me out, it's time for the majority of liberty seeking Americans to quit majoring in the minors and start taking care of business on what is important here. We have a government in place that seems to be dead set on limiting our liberties and replacing them with government guarantees. I for one do not like the concept of government controlling my life. Our fishing options and regulations are the least of our concerns right now. You want to march on Washington for something that matters? It's time to tell Washington to stay off of our backs and out of our knickers in all areas of life. If we don't wake up and make some 'changes' back to this country's true foundation, many people will be fishing to survive.

[fountain17]

This is the perfect opportunity for the various user groups (Rec & Comm and Tackle Retailers & Manufacturers, Charter & Party Boat operators, & Media Outlets) to have their voices heard.

I for one will be attending with a group of other captains from Long Island, NY.

If ever there was a time to stand up for our rights for fair and equitable access to the resource, while still maintaining a view towards sustainability for the resource, this is it.

I hope that other captains, manufacturers, tackle shops, dealers and recreational fishing enthusiasts feel the same way and support this event in any way they can.

Don

[jackdaniels]

Letters to support H.R.1584 - Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (House Bill)


Write to your Senators and Congressman

Below are two letters you may copy and send to either your Senators and your congressman. These do not specifically address the sea bass regulations, but, a bill is now in committee that will help fisheries managers to be more flexible with new regulations.

H.R.1584 - Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (House Bill)

S.1255, the long-awaited Senate companion bill to the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584)

If you and your friends could send these letters to their congressmen and Senators it could help.

For more information go to:
www.ssfff.net
www.unitedboatmen.com
web-sites for further information.

There is also a march on Washington DC planned for
Feb 24, 2010
We need as many fishermen to attend as possible.
For further information visit www.bigjamaica.com or call 732-528-5014.
Capt. Howard Bogan
For more trips go to the schedule page on: www.bigseabass.com
Click on the "Schedule" on the left side of the page for a complete listing of our trips.


Below is the letter to send to your US Senators:

December 27, 2009


The Honorable _______
United States Senate
Hart Senate Office Bldg.- Suite ___
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator ___________:

I am writing you as a Fisherman in support of S.1255, the long-awaited Senate companion bill to the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584) introduced earlier this year by our friend, Congressman Frank Pallone. S.1255 was introduced by New York Senator Charles Schumer. I urge you to give serious consideration to our current situation back at home with regard to access to healthy coastal fisheries.

The last reauthorization of the Magnuson Sevens Act in 2007 has arbitrary deadlines on rebuilding that are not based in science for rebuilding stocks. This has restricted access for anglers and affected those businesses that rely on a robust recreational fishery. This federal law has to be amended or these businesses will continue to perish while anglers sit at the dock and fish stocks maintain their continued growth to unprecedented levels.

Senator, we need your support on this legislation, and your help in passing the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 immediately. Congress currently allows for flexibility when dealing with cleanwater and clean air efforts, so as not to completely shut down industries or eliminate jobs, while continuing to make progress with these two very important issues. However, when Congress deals with fisheries and fisherman, they generally find it is okay to shut down fisheries on account of arbitrary deadlines, with no regard for the human resource. As a fisherman, I do not agree with this management policy.

I respectfully request that you support S.1255, and by doing so help support America's recreational fishing community. Please inform me of your position on this issue.

Sincerely,

Your name

This is the bill:
H.R.1584 - Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009
Representative
Frank Pallone
D-NJ
The letter is below: Address it to your congressman.

The Honorable _____

Washington, DC

Dear Congressman _________ :

I am writing you as a Fisherman in support of H.R. 1584, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 introduced earlier this year by Congressman Frank Pallone. I urge you to give serious consideration to our current situation with regard to access to healthy coastal fisheries.

The last reauthorization of the Magnuson Sevens Act in 2007 has arbitrary deadlines on rebuilding that are not based in science for rebuilding stocks. This has restricted access for anglers and affected those businesses that rely on a robust recreational fishery. This federal law has to be amended or these businesses will continue to perish while anglers sit at the dock and fish stocks maintain their continued growth to unprecedented levels.

Congressman, we need your support on this legislation, and your help in passing the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 immediately. Congress currently allows for flexibility when dealing with clean water and clean air efforts, so as not to completely shut down industries or eliminate jobs, while continuing to make progress with these two very important issues. However, when Congress deals with fisheries and fisherman, they generally find it is okay to shut down fisheries on account of arbitrary deadlines, with no regard for the human resource. As a fisherman, I do not agree with this management policy.

I respectfully request that you support H.R. 1584, and by doing so help support America's recreational fishing community. Please inform me of your position on this issue.

Sincerely,

Your Name
US Senators

To find your US Senator got to one of the following Web-sites
http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.senate.gov/reference/comm...t_senators.htm
Write Your Representative

http://www.senate.gov/reference/comm...t_senators.htm

or

http://www.house.gov/

[fountain17]

Anyone else from SFC showing up to this event?

We are driving down from NY and then going to hit AC on the way back.

Don

[Ace1st]

I am planning on being there. Unless something changes.

[Deep C]

Anyone else from SFC showing up to this event?

We are driving down from NY and then going to hit AC on the way back.

Don

From what I can tell there will be a large presence... I'm planning on making the trip unless our bahamas schedule squeezes too tight. (Supposed to leave on the 21st).

[Russell A. Jost]

Anyone else from SFC showing up to this event?

We are driving down from NY and then going to hit AC on the way back.

Don

WE have a bus of atleast 50 people going from Cape May. On the RFA web site there are another 10 bus departure sites in NJ, NY, and Del.

[CalabashFishman]

My boss told me about this the other day. We are planing on taking at least one bus full of fisherman, if not two!

[fountain17]

Nice Guys! This is awesome.

Does anyone know of any buses or carpools coming down from New England Area? A member of this site is looking at coming down from Maine and it would be easier for him to get in with a group than to drive by himself.

Please let me know so I can pass any info/contact info along to him.

Thanks

Don