06/18/2010 10:56 AM RFA-NY Praises Senate Vote To Repeal Saltwater License
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
(NY)
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
June 18, 2010 |
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RFA
PRAISES NY SENATE'S VOTE TO REPEAL SALTWATER LICENSE
S6250 Approved Overwhelmingly By New York Senate -
Assembly Version Still Stalled
Albany, NY (06/18/2010)- Senator Brian X. Foley (D - District
3) yesterday announced that the Senate version of the bill to repeal New York's
saltwater fishing license was approved by a vote of 60-1 on the floor of the
Senate, with one abstention. The Foley-sponsored legislation (S6250) would
create a registration system for recreational saltwater fishing which will track
the name, address, date of birth and telephone number for each resident engaging
in saltwater fishing. Each person who registers with the system will receive an
identification number that is unique to him or her. Residents will be able to
register for the system via the internet or a telephone number, as provided by
the commissioner. This new registry would take the place of the saltwater
fishing license that was mandated as part of last year's state
budget.
"Today is a great day for recreational fishing in the State of
New York," Senator Foley said on June 16 following the Senate vote. "Residents
should be able to partake in recreational saltwater fishing without being forced
to purchase a license to do so. When this license was created, myself and my
colleagues were assured the money collected would be used to benefit the
fishermen who were purchasing the license. When that turned out not to be the
case, I immediately introduced legislation to do away with the licensing
requirement and create a system that will allow us to meet the federal
guidelines without placing an undue burden on our recreational fishermen. I
strongly urge the assembly to pass this important piece of legislation so that
it can be signed into law as soon as possible so that all New Yorkers, but in
particular Long Islanders, can benefit from being able to fish our coastal
waters without breaking the bank."
"This is tremendous news for fishing
fans across Long Island," said United States Senator Charles Schumer. "The
bottom line is the current system places far too great a burden on Long Island
anglers and charter boats who are already struggling day to day. A total repeal
of licensing fee requirements is one step closer to reality thanks to Senator
Foley's efforts. Now we need the Assembly to act immediately to keep fishing
free." An Assembly version of license repeal legislation (A09234) has currently
stalled in the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.
"The New
York saltwater license is a broken program built on broken promises, and we're
thankful to Senator Foley for pushing this license repeal through the New York
Senate on behalf of our recreational fishing community," said Jim Hutchinson,
Managing Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. "We're halfway there,
and if we can now get the Assembly to understand this saltwater user fee is
simply another unfair tax with misappropriated funds, perhaps we can see this
unreasonable burden on the New York recreational fishing community lifted once
and for all."
"Senate Bill 6250 is a perfect example of how New York can
fulfill the federal registry requirements while not forcing onerous constraints
on less-fortunate fishermen unable to afford an extra fee to fish the ocean,"
Hutchinson said, explaining the registration requirements outlined within the
federal Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act call for a
simple registry of angler names and contacts, precisely as spelled out in
S6250. "There is no federal mandate for a state saltwater fee and we thank Mr.
Foley for recognizing that fact," Hutchinson added.
"Until our state
officials can promise New York anglers open access to coastal waters without
continued closures to state parks, beaches and fishing seasons, then this
license is nothing more than a tax without any returns," said John Mantione of
J&J Sports in Patchogue and spokesman for the New York Fishing Tackle Trades
Association. "Look at New Jersey, they have much more liberal fluke limits there
and those fishermen aren't paying any user fees to fish. We would like to thank
Senator Foley for supporting the recreational fishing community and working to
repeal this needless tax."
The registry would satisfy the requirements
the state must meet under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Reauthorization Act, which says they must provide certain background
information on individuals who partake in recreational saltwater fishing. States
that do not comply with these requirements in some way must require residents to
purchase fishing licenses from the federal
government.
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
Visit the New York Sportfishing Federation website at www.nysf.org.
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RFA-NY & New York Sportfishing Federation | 107-14
Queens Blvd. #17 | Forest Hills | NY |
11375 | 
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RFA Alert-Atlantic States Schedule Hearings on Striped Bass Draft Addendum II
6/14/10 10:12amET
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
June 14, 2010 |
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ASMFC
SCHEDULES HEARINGS ON STRIPED BASS PLAN
RFA
Members Encouraged To Speak Out In Opposition To Draft Addendum
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission (ASMFC) has officially announced that Atlantic coastal states from
Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on
Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for
Atlantic Striped Bass. The first hearings get underway this week in Delaware and
Maryland.
As stated previously in a press released
issued on May 21 by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA),
the intended purpose of the draft addendum is specifically to consider options
to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass and revise the
definition of striped bass recruitment failure. "This proposal was not endorsed
by the Striped Bass Advisory Panel, and it wasn't supported by anyone in the
recreational fishing community," said RFA Executive Director, Jim
Donofrio.
The RFA cites a grossly unregulated illegal
striper harvest occurring in federal waters as reason enough to go against the
draft addendum. "It's against the law for anyone, recreational or commercial,
to target stripers in the EEZ, and until the fed can adequately enforce the
rules in their own waters, it's irresponsible to make motions at the Commission
level which would lead to more overharvest in this fishery," Donofrio said. The
RFA believes there should no increases on striper harvest in either sector until
the illegal and unreported fishery is officially brought under control by NOAA
Fisheries.
Fishermen and other interested groups are
encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public
hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via
the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under
Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 202-289-6400. Public comment
will be accepted until 5 p.m. on October 1, 2010 and should be forwarded to
Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington,
DC 20005; 202-289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II).
The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings are as
follows.
Again, these are public
hearings and anglers are encouraged to attend.
Delaware Dept. of
Natural Resources and Environmental Control
June 16, 2010; 7:30
PM
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover,
Delaware
Contact: Craig Shirey at (302) 739-9914
Maryland Dept. of
Natural Resources
June 17, 2010; 7:00 PM
Ocean Pines Library
11107
Cathell Road
Berlin, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410)
260-8295
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
June
28, 2010; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News,
Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247
North Carolina
Division of Marine Fisheries
June 29, 2010
Location to be
determined
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011
NC Division of
Marine Fisheries
July 7, 2010; 6:00 PM
Central District Office
5285
Highway 70 West
Morehead City, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at
(252) 808-8011
Connecticut Dept. of Environmental
Protection
July 13, 2010; 7:00 PM
Fayerweather Yacht Club
51 Brewster
Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860)
434-6043
Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
July 14, 2010;
7:00 PM
Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme,
Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043
Maryland Dept. of Natural
Resources
July 19, 2010; 7:00 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conf.
Room
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at
(410) 260-8295
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
July 20,
2010
Location to be determined
Contact: Leroy Young at (814)
359-5177
New York Dept. of Environmental
Conservation
July 21, 2010; 7:00 PM
Marine Resources
Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New
York
Contact: Steve Heins at (631) 444-0436
New Jersey Division of
Fish and Wildlife
July 22; 7:00 PM
Toms River Township Clerk's
Office
L. Manuel Hirshblond Room
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New
Jersey
Contact: Brandon Muffley at (609) 748-2020
Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
August 16, 2010; 6:00 PM
Holiday Inn
55
Ariadne Road
Dedham, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at (617)
626-1534
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
August 17, 2010;
6:00 PM
URI, Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry
Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Mark Gibson at (401)
423-1935
New Hampshire Fish and Game
September 13, 2010; 7:00
PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug
Grout at (603)
868-1095
Maine Department of Marine
Resources
September 14, 2010; 6:00 PM
Town of Yarmouth Log Cabin
196
Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207)
624-6553
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
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Recreational Fishing Alliance | PO Box 3080 | New
Gretna | NJ | 08224 | 
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RFA-SC News - SC Legislators Prepare For Oil Spill Contingency 6/2/10
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
(SC)
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
June 2, 2010 |
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RFA-SC AND
SC LEGISLATORS PREPARE FOR OIL SPILL'S EFFECTS
Don't Sen. Campsen Lauded For Legislation to Develop
Spill Contingency Plan
(6/2/2010) Columbia, SC - Two weeks ago, South Carolina State
Senator Chip Campsen was helping a lifelong friend catch a 400-pound blue marlin
off the coast of Charleston, SC. By last Wednesday, Senator Campsen was
championing legislation on the South Carolina Senate floor that formally
requests on behalf of the SC General Assembly that the state's Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
and the Governor's office develop a contingency plan for the Gulf oil disaster's
effects on South Carolina's coastal and marine resources.
RFA-SC members
immediately contacted legislators to express support of this legislation, which
received such broad support from other Senators that it was unanimously adopted
and sent to the SC House of Representatives. The Senators who placed their names
on the bill as co-sponsors are Campbell, Elliott, Rankin, Land, Setzler, Cromer,
McGill, Rose, Cleary, Leventis, Grooms, Davis and L. Martin. RFA-SC is very
thankful to all these leaders for their ardent support of this
legislation.
RFA-SC members next brought the legislation to the
attention of several SC House Members as well as various South Carolina based
conservation groups including the Coastal Conservation League. By the end of the
day, the SC House had introduced the same legislation as their own version, a
House bill, in order to give even greater emphasis to the General Assembly's
request of SC DNR, DHEC and the Governor. Thanks to Representative Chip
Limehouse's initiative as well as other Representatives such as Representatives
Jeff Duncan, Shannon Erickson, Anne Hutto, Mike Pitts, Tim Scott and others, the
entire roll of the SC House was added as co-sponsorship of the bill. Like the
Senate the day before, the SC House adopted their version of the legislation
unanimously.
"How can anyone disagree with this legislation and the
issue at hand?" asked RFA-SC member Scott Cothran of Greenville, SC. "Everyone
already seems be on the same page with us on this as far as I have heard, but as
much more attention on this issue is needed. The seriousness of this oil spill
just keeps getting downplayed somehow," he added. Cothran knows personally of
what has been lost by Gulf recreational fishermen already having made a
week-long trip to Venice, LA this winter with a group of fellow South
Carolinians to fish in the area that's been most severely damaged by the oil
spill.
RFA-SC Vice Chairman Captain Mark Brown was not surprised by the
SC General Assembly's action. "This is not the first time my friend Senator
Campsen has stood up as a fellow sportsmen and championed legislation we
needed," Capt. Brown said. "He understands that recreational fishing deserves
much more attention than it's been receiving, and he is a champion for our
natural resources constantly up there at the statehouse- a true sportsman,"
Brown said of Sen. Campsen.
RFA-SC was first on the scene with this
posting the ROFFS analysis ocean shots of the spill's progress in the Gulf on
local internet fishing forums and being interviewed by TV news crews on the
issue several weeks ago. RFA-SC has been informing recreational fishermen in
South Carolina about the likely impacts of the continued release of oil into the
Gulf.
The Gulf Stream travels from the southern tip of Florida up the
southeast coast, and it is essential to marine and coastal life that South
Carolina recreational fishermen enjoy. When the Gulf Loop Current carries the
oil and some toxic dispersant chemicals used for oil cleanup to the tip of
Florida, these toxins will inevitably travel up the coast in the Gulf Stream.
Aside from these direct impacts to the resources, several year classes of sport
fish will be impacted by the environmental damage being done currently in the
Gulf of Mexico.
It has been widely documented that tar balls will have
a tremendous impact on reef fish, and the toxins in the Loop and Gulf Stream
Currents will be devastating to larval, juvenile and spawning stages of sport
fish and their food supply. A further potential for disaster is that of
hurricane season as large waves and high winds, among other things, could
further amplify the harmful effects of the leaked oil and other
toxins.
Scientists are still trying to get their arms around the effects
of the oil spill. Don Hammond of Cooperative Science Services, LLC has been out
in the community urging anglers to tag as many dolphinfish as possible in the
Gulf Stream waters so that he and others might determine how fish respond to the
toxic water heading South Carolina's way. RFA-SC urges all RFA members to take
part in this important initiative so that we might understand and hopefully
mitigate some of the true effects of the Gulf disaster. More on Hammond's
tagging study can be found at http://dolphintagging.com/.
RFA-SC will continue to be a first responder to issues affecting South
Carolina's saltwater recreational anglers, related businesses and long-term
sustainability of coastal and marine resources. RFA Executive Director Jim
Donofrio noted, "RFA-SC knows how much of South Carolina's recreational values
depend upon the health of its marine and coastal resources, and having a plan in
place for the effects of the oil spill off our coast is a logical first step to
mitigate any damage they possibly can."
RFA-SC has also learned of efforts by local scientists
in Charleston to set up a study to track the oil's progress along the South
Atlantic coast. RFA-SC has been asked to contact RFA members to inform them of
where sighted in marine and coastal areas can be reported. RFA members should
stand by for more information on this important initiative to track the oil
along its progress up the United States' east coast.
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
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Recreational Fishing Alliance | PO Box 3080 | New
Gretna | NJ | 08224 | 
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
(SC)
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
June 2, 2010 |
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RFA-SC AND
SC LEGISLATORS PREPARE FOR OIL SPILL'S EFFECTS
Don't Sen. Campsen Lauded For Legislation to Develop
Spill Contingency Plan
(6/2/2010) Columbia, SC - Two weeks ago, South Carolina State
Senator Chip Campsen was helping a lifelong friend catch a 400-pound blue marlin
off the coast of Charleston, SC. By last Wednesday, Senator Campsen was
championing legislation on the South Carolina Senate floor that formally
requests on behalf of the SC General Assembly that the state's Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
and the Governor's office develop a contingency plan for the Gulf oil disaster's
effects on South Carolina's coastal and marine resources.
RFA-SC members
immediately contacted legislators to express support of this legislation, which
received such broad support from other Senators that it was unanimously adopted
and sent to the SC House of Representatives. The Senators who placed their names
on the bill as co-sponsors are Campbell, Elliott, Rankin, Land, Setzler, Cromer,
McGill, Rose, Cleary, Leventis, Grooms, Davis and L. Martin. RFA-SC is very
thankful to all these leaders for their ardent support of this
legislation.
RFA-SC members next brought the legislation to the
attention of several SC House Members as well as various South Carolina based
conservation groups including the Coastal Conservation League. By the end of the
day, the SC House had introduced the same legislation as their own version, a
House bill, in order to give even greater emphasis to the General Assembly's
request of SC DNR, DHEC and the Governor. Thanks to Representative Chip
Limehouse's initiative as well as other Representatives such as Representatives
Jeff Duncan, Shannon Erickson, Anne Hutto, Mike Pitts, Tim Scott and others, the
entire roll of the SC House was added as co-sponsorship of the bill. Like the
Senate the day before, the SC House adopted their version of the legislation
unanimously.
"How can anyone disagree with this legislation and the
issue at hand?" asked RFA-SC member Scott Cothran of Greenville, SC. "Everyone
already seems be on the same page with us on this as far as I have heard, but as
much more attention on this issue is needed. The seriousness of this oil spill
just keeps getting downplayed somehow," he added. Cothran knows personally of
what has been lost by Gulf recreational fishermen already having made a
week-long trip to Venice, LA this winter with a group of fellow South
Carolinians to fish in the area that's been most severely damaged by the oil
spill.
RFA-SC Vice Chairman Captain Mark Brown was not surprised by the
SC General Assembly's action. "This is not the first time my friend Senator
Campsen has stood up as a fellow sportsmen and championed legislation we
needed," Capt. Brown said. "He understands that recreational fishing deserves
much more attention than it's been receiving, and he is a champion for our
natural resources constantly up there at the statehouse- a true sportsman,"
Brown said of Sen. Campsen.
RFA-SC was first on the scene with this
posting the ROFFS analysis ocean shots of the spill's progress in the Gulf on
local internet fishing forums and being interviewed by TV news crews on the
issue several weeks ago. RFA-SC has been informing recreational fishermen in
South Carolina about the likely impacts of the continued release of oil into the
Gulf.
The Gulf Stream travels from the southern tip of Florida up the
southeast coast, and it is essential to marine and coastal life that South
Carolina recreational fishermen enjoy. When the Gulf Loop Current carries the
oil and some toxic dispersant chemicals used for oil cleanup to the tip of
Florida, these toxins will inevitably travel up the coast in the Gulf Stream.
Aside from these direct impacts to the resources, several year classes of sport
fish will be impacted by the environmental damage being done currently in the
Gulf of Mexico.
It has been widely documented that tar balls will have
a tremendous impact on reef fish, and the toxins in the Loop and Gulf Stream
Currents will be devastating to larval, juvenile and spawning stages of sport
fish and their food supply. A further potential for disaster is that of
hurricane season as large waves and high winds, among other things, could
further amplify the harmful effects of the leaked oil and other
toxins.
Scientists are still trying to get their arms around the effects
of the oil spill. Don Hammond of Cooperative Science Services, LLC has been out
in the community urging anglers to tag as many dolphinfish as possible in the
Gulf Stream waters so that he and others might determine how fish respond to the
toxic water heading South Carolina's way. RFA-SC urges all RFA members to take
part in this important initiative so that we might understand and hopefully
mitigate some of the true effects of the Gulf disaster. More on Hammond's
tagging study can be found at http://dolphintagging.com/.
RFA-SC will continue to be a first responder to issues affecting South
Carolina's saltwater recreational anglers, related businesses and long-term
sustainability of coastal and marine resources. RFA Executive Director Jim
Donofrio noted, "RFA-SC knows how much of South Carolina's recreational values
depend upon the health of its marine and coastal resources, and having a plan in
place for the effects of the oil spill off our coast is a logical first step to
mitigate any damage they possibly can."
RFA-SC has also learned of efforts by local scientists
in Charleston to set up a study to track the oil's progress along the South
Atlantic coast. RFA-SC has been asked to contact RFA members to inform them of
where sighted in marine and coastal areas can be reported. RFA members should
stand by for more information on this important initiative to track the oil
along its progress up the United States' east coast.
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
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Recreational Fishing Alliance | PO Box 3080 | New
Gretna | NJ | 08224 |
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RFA Spring Newsletter - May 24 ,2010
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| RFA News
Recreational Fishing
Alliance May 24,
2010 |
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RFA - First For Anglers Since
1996!
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DEEPWATER TRAGEDY DEALS DEVASTATING BLOW TO GULF OF
MEXICO FISHING COMMUNITIES
Since the tragic oil spill at the Deepwater Horizon site on April 20,
RFA staff has been in close contact with members and allied organizations in the
Gulf region. "There's very little we can do right now except pray, keep lines
of communication open and work with our legislators to ensure that nothing like
this ever happens again," said RFA Executive Director, Jim Donofrio.
 In recent years, RFA and other groups were led to believe that
mandatory safeguards now utilized on oil platforms had made offshore drilling a
safe and ecologically sound way of producing domestic oil. "After Hurricane
Katrina, we were assured that the technology was up to speed, but that is
clearly not the case. The Deepwater Horizon tragedy illustrates that
substantial improvements need to be made to ensure that marine resources and
fishing communities are protected in the event of a spill," Donofrio said.
While
clean-up efforts are now underway throughout the
Gulf, RFA members on the ground are also researching legal avenues for making up
the revenue and income losses resulting from this devastating spill. There are
more than enough news outlets covering the Gulf disaster, but if you're
interested in staying up-to-date on tracking information, Dr. Mitch Roffers has
set up a Deepwater Horizon oil spill
monitoring tool that uses QuickTime tracking. Also,
Florida State University has created an oil spill forecast model
using available wind drifts and surface currents.
"There are still great fishing opportunities in the Gulf, and I'd encourage RFA
members to keep that in mind when making upcoming plans," Donofrio said. Those
interested in charter fishing opportunties in the Gulf should call Capt. Bob
Zales at the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO) at
866-981-5136. |
NOAA THROWING ANGLERS UNDER THE
OMNIBUS
The RFA officially submitted
comments this week with regard to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's
(MAFMC) attempt to bring management plans in line with Magnuson-Stevens
requirements by setting up acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch
limits (ACL) and accountability measures. The RFA says that implementing
reactive measures like midseason closures and recreational paybacks which are
included in the so-called Omnibus Amendment would be illegal based on the
"fatally flawed" Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey System (MRFSS)
still being used to determine recreational harvest.
 "MRFSS was not designed nor intended to collect data in a timely
or accurately enough manner to meet the demands of the Omnibus Amendment,"
writes Jim Donofrio in his official comments on behalf of RFA members. "Doing
so with the current MRFSS would violate no less than 5 of the 10 National
Standards." RFA argues that NMFS failure to make the congressionally mandated
improvements to MRFSS provides MAFMC "full justification to postpone moving
forward with the recreational component of the Omnibus Amendment" until MRFSS is
fixed. |
STRIPED BASS
UNDER ASMFC ATTACK
 Despite RFA protest, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission (ASMFC) this month voted to include a proposal to increase the
commercial striped bass harvest within Draft Addendum II for public hearings.
"This decision is a slap in the face, and it contradicts all empirical evidence
that shows that we should be doing more to protect the striped bass fishery from
an illegal, and unreported striped bass fishery," said RFA's Jim Donofrio. Click here to read the full
release.
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RFA LEGAL DEFENSE SOLICITS
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
In an open letter to
the national tackle manufacturers and wholesale distributors, the RFA is seeking
industry assistance in the ongoing legal challenge against NOAA Fisheries and
the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Local businesses and individual anglers have
raised more than $27,000 over the last seven months for RFA Legal Defense Fund
for efforts to overturn the black sea bass closure and set a precedent to ensure
that NMFS can't make similar midseason closures in the future. "Your tackle
shops have gone to bat for you in this effort - your customers who buy your
products have footed most of the bill. The grassroots community is leading the
charge," the RFA said in a personal appeal to tackle industry professionals for
help. Click here to see who
contributed to the RFA Legal Defense Fund so far, and how you can help.
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RFA LOUISIANA CHAPTER BUILDING MOMENTUM
A Louisiana bill aimed at banning bowfishing for redfish
was pulled by its sponsor the day before it was to be heard in committee.  Louisiana members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA-LA) had
been extremely vocal in opposition to the bill, and as RFA-LA member Gregory
Jack noted "This represents a huge win for the sportsmen of Louisiana." RFA
said the bowfishing ban was pushed at the behest of the Coastal Conservation
Association of Louisiana and former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Secretary Jimmy Jenkins and would set a very dangerous ideological
precedent in Louisiana fisheries management. Click here to read the Houma Courier's
report.
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RFA'S NORTHERN FLORIDA CHAPTER IS LAUNCHED
The North Florida chapter of the RFA (RFA-NOFL) launched earlier
this year with a new board and slate of officers that many Jacksonville area
anglers will no doubt recognize. New RFA-NOFL State Chairman for 2010 is Rick
Hale, longtime owner of Rick's Seafood, Bait & Tackle on Beach Boulevard in
Jacksonville. Hale helped spearhead the launch of the new RFA-NOFL chapter to
help build grassroots support for the rights of saltwater anglers and business
owners in northern Florida. "We are ready to put our charter in full swing, and
already have a group in place that is very serious about this fight and feel
very strong about their political views," Hale said. In addition to Hale, the
rest of the RFA-NOFL Board is made up of Ron Langston (Vice Chairman), Charles
Millett (Membership), Rick Smallwood (Treasurer), Keith Secor (Secretary) and
Joe Dionne (Media Chair). "We have a lot of work to do in DC, particularly with
the fishermen's rally on February 24 to get the Magnuson Stevens Act fixed, so
having Rick and the crew in place down in Jacksonville today helps immensely in
safeguarding angler rights tomorrow," said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive
Director. To contact the RFA-NOFL chapter, email bait48@yahoo.com.
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RFA-TX ENDORSES GOVERNOR PERRY IN
2010
Gov. Rick Perry has received the endorsement of both the
Texas and national chapters of the RFA for re-election in 2010. "The
Recreational Fishing Alliance is proud to support Gov. Perry in his bid for
re-election," said Robert T. Healey, chairman of the RFA Board of Directors.
"Gov. Perry has proven himself a strong ally of sportsmen by his willingness to
stand up for the right of Texas anglers and speak against unnecessary,
burdensome regulations coming out of Washington."
 "At a time when the federal government has adversely affected more
than one million Texas anglers through shortened seasons and bag limits, Gov.
Perry's ongoing support speaks volumes of his commitment to Texas anglers," said
Jim Smarr, of RFA-TX. "We are especially grateful for his leadership in
aligning other Gulf Coast governors to support the federal Flexibility in the
Magnuson Act and are proud to endorse him in his bid to continue leading our
state," Smarr added.
"Recreational angling is an important part of Texas'
economy and culture," said Gov. Perry. "I look forward to continue working with
the angling community to find practical solutions to the challenges they face
and helping ensure the reasonable regulation of their industry. I'm honored to
receive their support in this election." Learn more about the RFA-TX at Texas RFA chapter website.
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RFA-CA STILL ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN
MLPA WARS
 Just prior to the implementation of a massive new no-take marine
reserve off Stewarts Point in Sonoma County, Jim Martin, West Coast Director of
the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA-CA North), joined members of the Kashia
Pomo Tribe in a historic ceremony to bless the area held sacred by native tribes
for centuries. The new reserve is the largest in a network of 21 marine
protected areas (MPAs) that took effect on May 1 along California's north
central coast under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Marine Life Protection Act
(MLPA) Initiative. Recreational anglers and seaweed harvesters showed up in
solidarity with the Kashia Pomo and other tribes that are being denied their
fishing and gathering rights. "It was inspiring to see so many people come
together," Martin told the San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center. Click here to read the full
story from
IndyBay.org.
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RFA-SC CHAPTER GAINS STRENGTH IN
NUMBERS
The South Carolina Chapter of the Recreational Fishing
Alliance (RFA-SC) is running strong in the second quarter of 2010. The RFA-SC
chapter's inaugural Board of Directors includes recreational angling advocates
from South Carolina including Stuart Ballard, Capt. Mark Brown, Wes Covington,
Tim Gredick, Joey Prochazka (ex-officio as national RFA Board Member), Capt.
Fred Rourk, Chris VerBurg and Jason Ward. This week, RFA Executive Director Jim
Donofrio will be in South Carolina meeting with the RFA-SC Board, and is
expecting more great things from the chapter. Last month, RFA-SC made national
headlines when the World Fishing Network (WFN) picked up RFA-SC efforts gain
support for state legislation aimed at protecting recreational fishing and
access to public waters from any federal decisions within the Administration to
disregard recreational fishing as a national priority. Click here to read the WFN
report online.
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RFA-NY MEMBER WINS TRIP OF A
LIFETIME!
The RFA would like to congratulate Joe Grosetto of
Bayshore, NY, the 2009 winner of the RFA Trip of a Lifetime. Executive Director
Jim Donofrio pulled Grosetto's name from the chest filled with several thousand
entries in this year's Trip of a Lifetime. With travel issues relating to the
original trip to Guatemala, Mr. Grosetto will instead be traveling this year to
Krog's Kamp in Alaska on the
Kenai River. Congrats Joe, and be sure to send pictures!
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RFA
OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
(April 22, 2010)
(April 16, 2010)
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 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 or visit
www.joinrfa.org.
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The Recreational Fishing Alliance | 176B South New
York Rd | Galloway | NJ | 08205 |
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RFA-NJ Alert - Tuna $takes Kick Off Party In AC Thursday
Recreational Fishing Alliance
05/12/2010 11:21 AM
From: Recreational Fishing Alliance <news@joinrfa.org>
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
(NJ)
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
May 12, 2010 |
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TUNA
$TAKES KICK OFF PARTY IN A.C. ON THURSDAY
3rd Annual NJ Tuna Tournament Helps
Support RFA
Join your fellow 2009
Tuna Stakes captains and crews, and meet special guest Russel Newberry, star
deck boss of F/V Timebandit and F/V Wizard from the hit show the Deadliest
Catch.
Party entry is limited to the first 200 at $15 apiece, which
includes Hooter's buffet and cash bar. Once again in 2010, the Recreational
Fishing Alliance will receive a $35 from every entry in the 3rd Annual Tuna
$takes event to be held this summer from August 21-29. Special door prize on
Thursday night at the Hooter's kick-off for a basic entry fee for the Tuna
$takes Invitational 2010 which is a $750 value.
For more information, call Len Strobel at 609-377-0529, and learn
more about the 2010 Tuna $takes format at www.tunastakes.com.
Don't forget, the spring Jersey Shore
Boat Sale and Expo cruises into FirstEnergy Park this Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, May 14-16. On Saturday, U.S. Congressman John Adler will participate in
an RFA Town Hall Meeting
beginning at noon on Saturday, which offers a great opportunity for
recreational boaters and fishermen to interact with their coastal representative
in Washington to have their issues and concerns addressed live and in-person
through moderated discussion.
Learn more by visiting Jersey Shore Boat Expo website at www.jerseyboatexpo.com.
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
Stay up to date with the happenings from RFA-NJ by visiting the RFA-NJ
chapter homepage at www.rfanj.org. | | |
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RFA Members Asked to Send Letter to NPS For May 11 Deadline Extension Recreational Fishing Alliance to: Al Scardino 05/10/2010 03:28 PM
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
May 10, 2010 |
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OUTER BANKS COMMENTS
DUE MAY 11!
RFA Members Asked to Send
Letter to NPS For Deadline Extension
A Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS) has been released by the National Park Service (NPS)
with regard to off-road vehicle (ORV) use and protection of wildlife within Cape
Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. Many surfcasters up and down the
coast have been paying strict attention to this DEIS as the proposal threatens
excessive beach closures on casters who use the beaches at Hatteras and Ocracoke
Islands.
If you've been engaged in the battle to protect access rights and
have read and submitted your comments with regard to this immense 810-page DEIS,
thank you for your actions. However, if you're like many who are still trying
to digest this encyclopedia of NPS legalese, there's something you can do to
help! The 60-day comment period is coming to a close on Tuesday, May 11th, and
recreational fishermen have been denied in their request to get a 30-day
extension for comments.
Even more astounding is that the two U.S. Senators from North
Carolina, Sen. Kay Hagan and Sen. Richard Burr, have also been denied their
official request for a 30-day extension on behalf of recreational fishermen,
which leaves us only a few more hours to make comments.
Members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) are being asked
to take up the cause and lobby the National Park Service respectfully for
another 30 days to review and digest this DEIS. It took NPS Director Jonathan
Jarvis and his staff a year to produce this 810-page document; by giving our
community just 60 days to pore through the data and provide adequate comment is
fairly irresponsible to the democratic process.
Secretary Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service in
Washington DC, needs to have his fax machine loaded with response to let him
know that our community is looking for help. You can help this coalition today
by downloading copy of the letter at from the RFA homepage (www.joinrfa.org), fill in
your personal information and fax it to the National Park Service at
202-208-7889.
Our allies in the fight have been denied a request for extension
with little or no explanation. If NO is not answer you care to hear any longer
from your state and federal agencies, remember there's power in numbers. Click here to download the
document, print it out, fill it in, and fax it (respectfully) to the
attention of Mr. Jarvis at the National Park Service before the deadline for
comments runs out on May 11, 2010.
Remember - I FISH, I
VOTE!
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
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Recreational Fishing Alliance | PO Box 3080 | New
Gretna | NJ | 08224 | 
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| Recreational Fishing Alliance
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. /
888-564-6732 |
For
Immediate Release
May 4, 2010 |
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BLACK SEA BASS SEASON
TO DOUBLE IN LENGTH
ASMFC Votes to
Increase Fishing Days - RFA Legal Defense Continues
In a
vote supported by all member states of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission's (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board
today, states will now have the option to liberalize the 2010 black sea bass
season in state waters by an additional 90 days. The proposed new season will
run from May 22 through October 11, with an additional open period of November 1
through December 31. The proposal would keep the size and bag limit the same of
12-1/2 inches and 25 fish per angler.
"RFA representatives have worked tirelessly
on the 2010 black sea bass season since last summer, when drastic cuts to
fishing days were first proposed," said Capt. Adam Nowalsky, chairman of the
Recreational Fishing Alliance's New Jersey chapter (RFA-NJ). Nowalsky attended
the ASMFC meetings this week in
North
Carolina
longside fellow RFA-NJ board
member and United Boatmen representative Capt. Tony Bogan, and said perseverance
has been the key to seeing the sea bass opportunities open up again for
recreational anglers along the Mid-Atlantic coast. "In December, we were faced
with a 60-day season for 2010, and now we are closing in on a near 200-day
season," Nowalsky added.
The increase
in fishing days became possible after the recent release of 2009 black sea bass
landings. Projected 2009 landings had been mandating a 44% reduction in
landings for 2010, but the updated data showed that only a 21% reduction was
needed, allowing for the liberalization. For the new regulation to go into
effect, individual states will have to implement the new proposal, but given the
unanimous support of the states for the motion, implementation is
expected.
RFA representatives have
attended and advocated at every ASMFC and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council meeting impacting the recreational black sea bass fishery since last
August to ensure that the recreational sector is treated fairly by regulators
and has the best opportunity possible to enjoy this healthy fishery. "When our
state Marine Fisheries Council meets again back home at the Atlantic County
Library in Galloway on May 13th at 4 p.m., this sea bass season increase should
be on the agenda," said Nowalsky. "This is good news for all our coastal states
from Massachusetts down through North Carolina, everyone who enjoys this healthy
and robust sea bass fishery," he said.
NOAA Fisheries
released a proposed rule last week that specified an opening date of May 22 for
the fishery in federal waters with no firm end date for 2010; NOAA Fisheries did
not oppose the ASMFC proposal today. When NOAA Fisheries abruptly closed the
recreational sea bass fishery last October without any opportunity for public
comment, the RFA immediately began working on a legal challenge to fight the
closure. The RFA, United Boatmen and a coalition of industry allies (the
"Plaintiffs") filed suit on November 4, 2009 in New Jersey Federal Court arguing
that the sea bass closure should be declared unlawful and set aside for being
arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and otherwise
not in accordance with law pursuant to the Administrative Procedure
Act.
The Plaintiffs also allege that NOAA Fisheries violated
numerous provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act for closing a recreational
fishery in reliance upon the fatally flawed Marine Recreational Fisheries
Statistics Survey (MRFSS) and for failing to adequately assess the impacts of
the Emergency Rule on small business entities such as party and charter boats
and bait and tackle shops.
"The emergency
closure of the recreational sea bass fishery was unprecedented for a fishery
that is not 'overfished' and where 'overfishing is not occurring'," said Jim
Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. "This case is about more than just sea bass;
it's about taking a stand against a federal agency abusing its power and hurting
individuals and small business owners. If NMFS gets away with using MRFSS data
to shut down the sea bass fishery this time it will be tough to stop them from
doing it in other fisheries." Donofrio said that a legal win with this case
would help set a precedent for anglers to ensure that NOAA couldn't make similar
closures in other regions in the future.
On January 22,
NMFS filed the Administrative Record for the case, submitting all the documents
the Court will consider in making its decision. "We carefully reviewed the
Administrative Record to determine whether further documents existed that should
have been, but were not, submitted by the government," said Herb Moore, Jr., RFA
co-counsel on the case. "Surprisingly, we discovered that NMFS failed to submit
the minutes of the December 2008 meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council, which is the meeting where the 2009 sea bass measures were debated and
voted on only to be preempted roughly ten months later by the emergency
closure," Moore said.
According to the RFA's legal team, the
government would not consent to adding these materials to the Administrative
Record so they filed a motion to supplement the record on April 23 which they
expect will be decided sometime after May 17. "Thirty days after we have a
decision on this motion to supplement, we will go ahead and file a motion for
summary judgment and expect NMFS to file a cross motion for summary judgment
after that," Moore said, adding
"We expect this case will ultimately be decided on these cross motions for
summary judgment."
As of May
4, 2010, $26,470.27 has been deposited into the RFA Legal Defense Fund for
ongoing efforts to challenge NOAA Fisheries' decision to close the black sea
bass fishery. "Tackle shops, party and charter boat captains, fishing clubs and
captains organizations and hundreds of individual anglers have contributed to
our campaign to ensure that NOAA Fisheries never does this again," said RFA
Managing Director, Jim Hutchinson, Jr. "This battle to reopen our sea bass
fishery and the ongoing legal challenge to protect anglers against future
arbitrary closures has been all grassroots so far, but I'm hoping that some of
our friends from the national tackle industry who rely on a healthy sea bass
fishery will contribute to the angler efforts to keep our folks fishing,"
Hutchinson added.
Learn more about the RFA and the RFA
Legal Defense Fund at www.joinrfa.org
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About
Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots
political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the
recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA 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 or visit www.joinrfa.org.
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Recreational Fishing Alliance | PO Box 3080 | New
Gretna | NJ | 08224 | 
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