Very Important Please Read

[Gerry Zagorski]

This past June, President Obama created the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. The Task Force, led by the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), was charged with developing a national policy and implementation strategy for conserving and managing the United States ocean territory and the Great Lakes. The policy will govern ocean and Great Lakes resource management and coordinate efforts among countless federal, state and local agencies.

Without recreational angler input, decisions made under this national oceans policy could be used to unnecessarily close saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing areas.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ MORE AND TO WRITE THE WHITE HOUSE WITH YOUR CONCERNS.


http://www.capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/issues/alert/?alertid=14119696&type=ML (http://www.capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/issues/alert/?alertid=14119696&type=ML)

Another thing you should consider doing is emailing this post to all your friends and family to get them involved and ask then to spread the word as well... You can do this by clicking on "Thread Tools" and choose the "Email This Page" option.

[JonDevin]

Thanks for the info Gerry. My letters are on their way.

[dales529]

Letter / e-mail sent. Thanks for the info and making this a "sticky". Seems like there is a lot of repetative posts on some key issues lately, maybe a couple more "sticky's" on RFA , SSFFF, C-bass stuff ??

[captmark]

Gerry great find, I heard about this and could not believe it sent my letter out, will their be end to this madness

[jtjr09]

Done letters both sent.

[In Pursuit]

EXCELLENT sticky!! Letters sent.

[GDubya07]

Done and Done thank you for the Link Gerry

[joec]

...and the hits just keep on coming!

[howarda780]

sent. Thanks.

I feel like this is the begining of a giant thumb.

[Bigbass38]

Letter on it's way.

[Tireman]

Done,thanks

[Newbie]

Done...thanks for making this easy.

[Krueger]

That was easy!!! Thanks I also sent to 6 fishing buddies that are non-members of the site!!:D

[Ahab123]

Letter sent.....

[fishingmortgageman]

Thank you Gerry for making it easy. Done

[RAMMFISH66]

RAMMIE has sent an email to my political reps and voiced my concern of the new policies that the president and his crew are trying to implement...leave us alone and just let us FISH!!!! wWe have too many regulations telling us what to do, when we can do it and how to do it!!!! Enough is enough!!!!!*****

[Tony Cav]

Done. Thanks for the notice

[Nukeman]

Thanks for the info Gerry, letters sent, friends notified.

[fishseadevil]

Thanks, Jerry letters sent

[spyro]

letters on it's way .............

[MVP]

Letter has been sent

[Taxman]

received this response from my congressman today




Thank you for contacting me about the National Ocean and Great Lakes Policy. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue.



America 's waters are the lifeblood of our nation, and our most fundamental resource. The status of these waters has direct bearing on public health, agricultural production, and national prosperity. The Great Lakes are no exception to this. They provide jobs, food, energy resources, ecological services, recreation, and tourism opportunities, and play critical roles in our Nation's transportation, economy, and trade, as well as the global mobility of our Armed Forces and the maintenance of international peace and security.



Recreational fishing, both in the Great Lakes and in all other bodies of water, is beneficial to both the environment and the economy. Fishing can help track and control fish populations, while also monitoring environmental conditions. Fishermen help the economy when purchasing their gear, licenses, boats, and other equipment.



I think you might find it interesting to know that Congress is presently considering H.R. 1584, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act. It amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require fishery management plans, amendments, or regulations for overfished fisheries to specify a time period for ending overfishing and rebuilding the fishery that is as short as practicable. It also requires consideration, in evaluating progress to end overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks, of factors other than commercial and recreational fishing.



H.R. 1584 is currently being considered by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind if the House considers this bill.



Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can assist in any other way, please do not hesitate to contact me.




Sincerely,

John Hall
Member of Congress