Washington - Congress is currently
revising the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the
law that governs our nation's marine resources. Recreational saltwater anglers
and the sportfishing and boating industries are intensifying efforts to ensure
that their social, conservation and economic priorities are well represented in
the legislative process.
Today, in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill, the Commission on Saltwater
Recreational Fisheries Management co-chairs, Johnny Morris, founder and CEO,
Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president, Maverick Boats, briefed members of
Congress and media on the commission's recommended changes to the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The commission, composed of scientists, former agency
administrators, environmentalists, industry representatives and economists,
wants to ensure that saltwater recreational fishing becomes a priority of
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.
"Our commission offers a clear path to better stewardship of America's
marine fishery resources," said Morris. "Today we ask Congress to
join us on that path. We extend the invitation on behalf of all current anglers
and future generations of anglers who will enjoy our nation's resources for
many years to come."
Previewed in February during the 2014 Progressive Miami International Boat Show
in Miami, Fla., A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational
Fisheries outlines recreational fisheries management issues that need to be
addressed in the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization.
"This is the first time that the recreational fishing and boating
community has set forth a comprehensive vision," Deal said. "I'm
honored to be a part of this effort and proud to help lead our collective
industries in ensuring that Congress hears our voices."
The economic impact of saltwater angling in the U.S. is considerable. In 2011,
approximately 11 million Americans saltwater fished recreationally, spending
$27 billion in pursuit of their sport. That activity generated more than $70
billion in economic output and sustained 450,000 jobs. Anglers contribute more
than $1.5 billion annually to fisheries habitat and conservation via excise
taxes, donations and license fees alone.
Throughout 2013, members of the blue ribbon commission met to deliberate and
debate strategies to improve saltwater recreational fisheries management. A
wide range of experts and other stakeholders, including economists, scientists,
federal and state agency administrators, environmentalists, charter captains
and individual recreational anglers, were invited to meet with the commission
to provide information and advice on a variety of fisheries management issues.
The report reflects their input.
"The Magnuson-Stevens Act established a management system for commercial
fisheries, which has made great strides in ending commercial overexploitation
of our marine fisheries," said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for
Coastal Conservation. "However, for more than three decades it has focused
primarily on commercial fishing. It's time for Congress to do something for
saltwater recreational fishing."
A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries identifies six
key policies that would achieve the commission's vision. Those recommendations
primarily focus on the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The recommendations include:
• Establishing a national policy for recreational fishing
• Adopting a revised approach to saltwater recreational fisheries management
• Allocating marine fisheries for the greatest benefit to the nation
• Creating reasonable latitude in stock rebuilding timelines
• Codifying a process for cooperative management
• Managing for the forage base
"Congress should establish a national policy to promote saltwater
recreational fishing," said Mike Nussman,
president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "In addition,
Congress must open the 'rusted-shut' door of marine fisheries allocation to
achieve the greatest benefit to the nation."
Contributors to the work of the commission include the:
American Sportfishing Association
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Berkley Conservation Institute
Center for Coastal Conservation
Coastal Conservation Association
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Bass Pro Shops
Maverick Boats
FOR TWITTER - Use #MarineVison2014 to comment on this landmark report.
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 85 retail stores
and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more
than 116 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which
feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear
while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The
company's Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com),
which has produced the number one selling brand of fishing boats for more than
35 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising.
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