Balance of article:
Dear Industry Partner,
Today, your company has the opportunity to unite with other industry members to
help stop the insane and unnecessary regulations that the federal government is
trying to force down our throats. Anglers across the country are losing their right
to fish because of actions that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS) is
taking. The situation is much more severe than you may realize and unless we unite
and put our money where our mouth is, sport fishing is in big trouble. If we fail
to act quickly, we very well might be witnessing the last nail in our industry's
coffin.
Wording included during the last reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA)
in 2007 mandated that all fish stocks must be rebuilt to "maximum sustainable" levels
within arbitrarily determined time frames that have no basis in science. In addition,
the law gives fishery management councils only one year to implement regulatory
action for any fishery that may be deemed "overfished," and environmentalists are
using that term as a scare tactic.
Recently the NMFS and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council told fishermen
that they were "required by law" to close all bottom fishing in over 1000 square
miles of coastal waters from North Carolina to Florida to protect and rebuild the
red snapper populations, even though they readily admit to having insufficient scientific
data to make a accurate determination of the health of the stock. They also blame
Congress for not allocating sufficient funds to do the necessary research to provide
the data needed, yet the MSA forces them to close the fishery, regardless of the
socioeconomic consequences.
The NMFS Regional Administrator, Roy Crabtree, told me that the law leaves them
no choice, but to close the fishery for seventeen to thirty-five years to achieve
the desired stock level required by Magnuson-Stevens. Because red snapper is one
of the most popular recreational fish in some of the most populous fishing states
in the country, such a closure will destroy a viable fishery and seriously affect
the many small businesses that are already struggling under the current economic
conditions.
These long term closures fall nicely into the well laid plans of Jane Lubchenco,
President Obama's appointment as director of NOAA, the ultimate power overseeing
NMFS and the fishery councils. Where do her loyalties really lie? From her past
history, it is quite obvious that she is speaking out of both sides of her mouth.
She has told everyone that she is looking out for the "interests of recreational
fishermen," but since the early 1970's, Ms. Lubchenco, her husband, friends and
colleagues have received millions of dollars in funding from the Pew Charitable
Trust, an organization that has literally hijacked the fishery management system
in our country.
Such closures are only the first of many species that PEW has targeted. This group
of environmental zealots has a multi-billion dollar war chest courtesy of oil industry
profits and they are spending millions to influence government policy that will
lead to the end of all fishing along the entire U.S. coastline.
President Obama has expressed his desires to turn over control of the oceans to
a "World Organization". In addition, members of our federal government already have
legislation in both the House and Senate proposing that the federal government take
control of all natural watersheds away from the states. If this comes to pass, freshwater
fishermen will soon be facing these same problems saltwater anglers are already
facing. Because of the MSA and concessions made by states along the West Coast,
the government has already instituted plans to permanently close an additional
30% of California's coastal waters to all fishing. They are also looking at more
closures on the East and West Coasts, in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys as
well as a large part of Miami's Biscayne Bay. Jane Lubchenco is a strong proponent
of marine reserves that ban all fishing and authored several of her earliest papers
promoting their widespread use.
Congress currently allows for flexibility when dealing with clean water and clean
air efforts, so as not to completely shut down related industries and eliminate
jobs on a wholesale basis, while continuing to make progress with these two very
important issues. Why then, when Congress deals with fisheries and fishermen, is
it okay to shut down fisheries using inflexible, arbitrary deadlines based on insufficient,
unsubstantiated science, with no regard to the socioeconomic impact. In order to
stop this insanity the MSA must be amended immediately.
The "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act", has been a priority of the
Recreational Fishing Alliance since 2007. It was submitted by Rep. Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) and Rep. John Mica (R-FL) in the House as H.R. 1584 and the long awaited
Senate companion bill, S. 1225, was recently introduced by Senator Charles Schumer
(D-NY). This legislation addresses the inflexibility of the current language and
brings it into line with the Clean Water and Clean Air Bills that have been so
successful. The legislation is not only good for America's recreational and commercial
fishermen, but will help all the small businesses that are being destroyed by unwarranted
and unnecessary regulatory actions. It does not weaken conservation efforts nor
encourage a return to wasteful and unsustainable fishing practices.
There are hard-line environment groups that are opposing this legislation purely
on ideological grounds and it will not be easy to gain passage with their well
financed opposition. It is important to keep in mind that this legislation has been
crafted with lots of input from both recreational and commercial fishermen who truly
understand the need for a sustainable future resource, and the rights of anglers
to have access to those resources. Our federal fisheries law needs to be fixed
now or more unnecessary closures and an economic collapse of our industry are imminent.
Unless we put tremendous pressure on our elected officials, nothing will change.
The bottom line is that the nation's primary fisheries law is broken and must be
amended immediately! If fishermen and industry stand together, Congress will make
the necessary changes. But without a united effort we are in big trouble. Recreational
fishermen were conservationists long before the environmental fringe got involved
with ocean issues pushing its "Sky is Falling" agenda. Anglers have proven to be
concerned and responsible stewards of our resources and have never been afraid
to do what's necessary to protect fisheries, the environment and the sport we love.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has filed suit in Federal Court to stop
the closures of both the black sea bass and the red snapper fisheries along the
East Coast and, along with several other organizations, are planning a massive rally
on the steps of the Capitol in Washington D.C. on February 24, 2010. It will be
an organized demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson
Stevens Conservation and Management Act as currently enacted. You or representatives
from your organization need to attend this rally. While your there, ask to be involved
in direct meetings with your state legislators on the Hill. With your help, we can
protect the rights of all fishermen. The RFA is organizing the lobbying effort and
much of the rally. They can be reached at 609-404-1060. Additional information is
available on their website at
www.joinRFA.org
I strongly encourage you to get involved. The future of our sport and your business
depends on it!
Bob Flocken
Southern Kingfish Association
(The RFA thanks Bob Flocken and the Southern Kingfish Association for permission
to reprint the preceding letter, and for their continued support of our national
efforts 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.)
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Recreational Fishing Alliance | 176B South New York Rd | Galloway | NJ | 08205
