Recreational and Commercial Fishing Industries Unite For Fisheries Reform

-Industry Leaders Descend on Capitol Hill to Make Their Case-

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the recreational, charter, and commercial fishing industries, representing well over 100 fishing organizations, met with Members of Congress and congressional staff in support of bipartisan legislation which promotes healthy populations of fisheries and fishing communities.  H.R. 5425, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fishery Act of 2008, co-sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ),Henry Brown (R-SC), Barney Frank (D-MA), and Walter Jones (R-NC) would provide a measure of flexibility into the management process without compromising conservation goals.    At present, the law requires a total rebuilding of the stock of certain “overfished” species within 10 years, often requiring drastic reductions in fishing quotas and in some cases a complete or effective shut-down of the fishery.

Those who attended meetings on Capitol Hill stated:

“The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and its members continue to fight for fishing organizations nationwide. I am encouraged by the level of bipartisan support we have received for this legislation.  Congressional support for H.R. 5245 is the first step to managing fish populations for both recreational and commercial purposes without compromising our conservation efforts or the rebuilding efforts initially established by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”- James A. Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA

“The spirit of cooperation between the sectors was amazing. Everyone there recognized the passion we have in common, FISHING. Together we can effect positive change for the resource and the fishermen no matter if you were commercial, charter or recreational.”- Robert Spaeth, Southern Offshore Executive Director

”The real, and we believe, unintended impact of the current Magnuson-Stevens Act, is that historic fishing communities, small historic fishing families, and the fishing public are suffering brutal social and economic harm.  So much so that the charter fishing sector is facing 25% or more of the national fleet going  out of business at the end of this year.  This inflexibility of the current Magnuson-Stevens Act along with a slow economy and increasing fuel prices is causing unprecedented reductions in fishing effort every day.” -Capt. Bob Zales, II, Executive Director, Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF)

“There are plenty of precautionary measures taken to protect the fish.  It is time to recognize the need for precaution with the people who fish. The recreational and commercial sectors have come together for the first time in history because of the unfair and unnecessary fishing regulations being forced upon us. The increasing pressure from the current Magnuson-Stevens Act has caused over-restriction of fishing activity, costing the USA billions of dollars in economic impact.”- Dennis O’Hern, Executive Director, Fishing Rights Alliance, Inc. (FRA)

"Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) is proud to support this legislation which will ensure conservation, rebuilding, and access for our fisheries."- Douglas MacPherson , Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING H.R. 5425, THE FLEXIBILITY IN REBUILDING AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT OF 2008

Alaska Charterboat Association

Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman's Club

Atlantic Marine Electronics

Atlantic Highlands Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental (NJ)

Bay Park Fishing Station (NY)

Big Game Fishing Journal

Bimini Bay Outfitters

Bombardier Recreational Products

Bradley Beach Fishing Club

Brielle Chamber of Commerce (NJ)

Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association

Captain Anderson’s Marina

Captain Tate’s (NJ)

Captree Boatmen's Association

Charterboat Association of Puget Sound

Coastal Bend Guides Association (TX)

Coastal Fisherman

Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen

Deep Creek Charterboat Association (AK)

Destin Charter Boat Association (FL)

E-Z OUT-RODDER

Eastern Shore Anglers Virginia

Fishermen’s Conservation Association

Fisherman's Den (NJ)

Fishermen’s Supply (NJ)

Fishing Rights Alliance

Folsom Tackle Corporation

Forked River Tuna Club

Francis Fleet of Point Judith , RI

Garden State Yacht Sales (NJ)

Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association (CA)

Greg Abrams Seafood

Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association (NJ)

Grumpy's Tackle (NJ)

Half Hitch Tackle

Har Lee Rod Inc. (NJ)

Hobby Lobby Marine (NJ)

Homer Charter Association (AK)

HD Wood Advertising

Julian’s Sport Shop (NJ)

Indian River Charter Boat Association

Island House Marina (VA)

Jersey Coast Anglers Association

Key West Charter Boatmen's Association (FL)

Long Island Beach Buggy Association

Maine Association of Charterboat Captains

Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club

Marco Island Charter Captains Association

Marine Retailers Association of America

Marine Trades Association, NJ

Marine Trades Association, NY

Marine Trades Association, RI

Maryland Charertboat Association

Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association

Montauk Boatmen's and Captain's Association

Murphy's Hook House (NJ)

My Wife's Rod & Reel Repair Shop (NJ)

National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO)

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

New Jersey Angler

New Jersey Beach Buggy Association

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association

Nor’east Saltwater

North Coast Fishing Association (CA)

North Fork Captain's Association

Northeast Angling

Northeast Charter Boat Captain’s Association

Old Inlet Bait & Tackle , Delaware

Orange Beach Fishing Association

Palm Beach Towers

Panama City Boatmen Association (FL)

Pensacola Charterboat Association

Piedmont Offshore Sportfishing Club (NC)

Port Aransas Boatmen (TX)

Port Monmouth Marine, Inc. (NJ)

Ramsey Outdoor (NJ)

Recreational Fishing Alliance

Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association

Rudy Marine (DE)

Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund, Mid-Atlantic

Scott's Bait & Tackle (Bradley Beach, NJ)

Scott's Bait & Tackle ( Mystic Island , NJ )

Sea Hawk Sports Center (MD)

Shark River Surf Anglers

Shore Catch Guide Service (NJ)

Sonoma County Abalone Network (CA)

South Atlantic Charterboat Association

South Jersey Marina (NJ)

South Jersey Saltwater Anglers

South Texas Big Game Fishing Club (TX)

Southeastern Fisheries Association

Southern Offshore Fishing Association

Spray Dock (NJ)

Spring Lake Freezer

Steinhatchee Charter Association

Stellwagon Bank Charter Boat Association

Stone Harbor Yacht Sales (NJ)

Suffix Fishing Line

T & A Tackle (NJ)

The Fisherman

The Reel Seat (NJ)

The Tackle Box (NJ)

Treasure Island Marina

United Boatmen, NY & NJ

Viking Yacht Company

Virginia Council of Angling Clubs

Westport Charterboat Association (WA)

White Water Marine (NY)