09-10-2007, 03:10 PM
August 2007 American Sportfishing Association Policy Watch
Policy Watch is a monthly update for the sportfishing community about the American Sportfishing Association's Government Affairs activities.
For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237, Patty Doerr, Ocean Resource Policy director, x244, or Mary Beth Charles, Policy Fellow, x230.
ASA Continues Work on California MLPA Issue
ASA staff traveled to southern California and meet with Susan Golding, Chairman of the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force, to discuss industry actions and views on the MLPA process, as well as to acquaint Ms. Golding with the investments this industry has made in conservation over the years. Staff also met with Blue Ribbon Task Force member Bill Anderson. While in California, ASA staff and California partners met with a public relations firm that has been selected to assist ASA and its CA partners to reach the goal of maximizing the conservation benefit of marine resources while minimizing unwarranted closures in that state.
MLPA Issue Expands to Oregon
In August, ASA staff also traveled to Oregon to meet with Governor Kulongoski's Natural Resources staff Director, the State Lands Director, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Chief and head of the Oregon Marine Fisheries program. The purpose of the meeting was to express industry views on marine protected areas, especially no-fishing zones, and to gain an understanding of how Oregon is likely to approach the issue.
Unprecedented ASA Member Meeting Held Regarding MPAs
On August 23, ASA held a special meeting in Chicago to brief its members on an issue of critical importance to the sportfishing industry-the movement towards banning recreational fishing in large areas of coastal waters as a means to manage fish populations. The establishment of no-fishing zones, also called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), is such a high priority that ASA determined it was necessary to hold an industry briefing so that members could fully understand the potential consequences of this issue. California is at the forefront of using closures as a marine management tool under the state's Marine Life Protection Act. ASA's goal is to maximize the conservation benefit to the marine environment while minimizing unwarranted closures of California's coastal waters to sportfishing. However, the issue is not just confined to California. The association is also working in other coastal areas on the same issue. ASA Board Chairman Randy Lemcke said to those in attendance, "We need to be unilateral in our response and the entire sportfishing community must be engaged in this issue. When ASA asks for your support, you must be ready to respond." ASA members will be kept informed about this issue. More information about no-fishing zones is available on ASA's Web site under Government Affairs. For more information, contact Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president, x237, or Patty Doerr, ASA Ocean Resource Policy director, x244.
Channel Islands Recreational Fishing Closures
On August 9, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that it more than doubled the size of waters around California's Channel Islands where fishing is banned. The move adds 148.6 square miles of no-take waters and conservation areas to the 175 square miles of reserves California established off the islands in 2002. Twenty-two percent of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is now closed to recreational fishing, which NOAA cites as necessary to "protect marine habitats and sensitive species." ASA opposes the designation and the broader notion that marine reserves are effective fishery management tools on such a broad basis.
ASA Staff Attend Project FishSmart Steering Committee Meeting
ASA staff attended Project FishSmart's first Steering Committee meeting in Annapolis, Maryland. Project FishSmart is a collaborative effort between the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, ASA and the University of Maryland to enhance sustainable marine recreational fishing and strengthen the conservation ethic among anglers. The project is reviewing the impact of recreational fishing on the health of fish stocks and will seek to develop alternative management approaches that incorporate the conservation interests of the sportfishing industry. The steering committee is comprised of representatives from the sportfishing industry, fishery managers, fishery scientists and representatives from the environmental community. For more information contact Mike Nussman, ASA president, x252, or Patty Doerr, ASA Ocean Resource Policy director, x244.
Federal VHS Order Re-issued, but Funding for Monitoring in Doubt
As reported in the July 2007 Policy Watch, funding for disease monitoring of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) is in jeopardy under the Department of Agriculture. In addition, the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish Health Lab funding for VHS measures was reduced by $473,000 in the administration budget submission for FY 2008. ASA is requesting this money be restored and is urging other fishery conservation organizations to do the same.
August FishNet Meeting
ASA convened a FishNet meeting with members of the Washington, D.C., fisheries conservation community to share information and updates on Marine Protected Areas, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, VHS and organic fisheries legislation.
Asian Carp Update
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the bill that authorizes the Corps of Engineers' projects, recently released its conference report. The report includes the authorization for the "Asian carp" dispersal barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. ASA, along with other conservation organizations, pushed for this language to be included in the bill. The completion of the barrier project is essential to the Great Lakes because of continued Asian carp migration toward the site of the barrier. The bill also authorizes a study about how to stop the spread of invasive species through the canal.
Fish Passage on Forest Service Roads
ASA has been working to make possible fish passage under Forest Service roads. This was achieved through a recent amendment of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act under Wallop-Breaux. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the costs, up to $10 million per year, "of facilitating the passage of aquatic species beneath forest roads," including the costs of construction and maintenance of passageways.
EU Lead Ban Update
The European Union (EU) Parliament's aim of securing a ban on the use of lead in fishing tackle has been defeated for the time being. The Parliament considers lead to be "˜priority hazardous,' but the EU Council reached a political agreement on water quality standards and adhered to the European Commission's proposal that doesn't support the Parliament's wish to add lead to the existing list of toxic substances. However, the Parliament and the Council are set for a second reading and it is believed that a "tough battle" can be expected with Parliament on the issue.
Policy Watch is a monthly update for the sportfishing community about the American Sportfishing Association's Government Affairs activities.
For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237, Patty Doerr, Ocean Resource Policy director, x244, or Mary Beth Charles, Policy Fellow, x230.
ASA Continues Work on California MLPA Issue
ASA staff traveled to southern California and meet with Susan Golding, Chairman of the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force, to discuss industry actions and views on the MLPA process, as well as to acquaint Ms. Golding with the investments this industry has made in conservation over the years. Staff also met with Blue Ribbon Task Force member Bill Anderson. While in California, ASA staff and California partners met with a public relations firm that has been selected to assist ASA and its CA partners to reach the goal of maximizing the conservation benefit of marine resources while minimizing unwarranted closures in that state.
MLPA Issue Expands to Oregon
In August, ASA staff also traveled to Oregon to meet with Governor Kulongoski's Natural Resources staff Director, the State Lands Director, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Chief and head of the Oregon Marine Fisheries program. The purpose of the meeting was to express industry views on marine protected areas, especially no-fishing zones, and to gain an understanding of how Oregon is likely to approach the issue.
Unprecedented ASA Member Meeting Held Regarding MPAs
On August 23, ASA held a special meeting in Chicago to brief its members on an issue of critical importance to the sportfishing industry-the movement towards banning recreational fishing in large areas of coastal waters as a means to manage fish populations. The establishment of no-fishing zones, also called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), is such a high priority that ASA determined it was necessary to hold an industry briefing so that members could fully understand the potential consequences of this issue. California is at the forefront of using closures as a marine management tool under the state's Marine Life Protection Act. ASA's goal is to maximize the conservation benefit to the marine environment while minimizing unwarranted closures of California's coastal waters to sportfishing. However, the issue is not just confined to California. The association is also working in other coastal areas on the same issue. ASA Board Chairman Randy Lemcke said to those in attendance, "We need to be unilateral in our response and the entire sportfishing community must be engaged in this issue. When ASA asks for your support, you must be ready to respond." ASA members will be kept informed about this issue. More information about no-fishing zones is available on ASA's Web site under Government Affairs. For more information, contact Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president, x237, or Patty Doerr, ASA Ocean Resource Policy director, x244.
Channel Islands Recreational Fishing Closures
On August 9, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that it more than doubled the size of waters around California's Channel Islands where fishing is banned. The move adds 148.6 square miles of no-take waters and conservation areas to the 175 square miles of reserves California established off the islands in 2002. Twenty-two percent of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is now closed to recreational fishing, which NOAA cites as necessary to "protect marine habitats and sensitive species." ASA opposes the designation and the broader notion that marine reserves are effective fishery management tools on such a broad basis.
ASA Staff Attend Project FishSmart Steering Committee Meeting
ASA staff attended Project FishSmart's first Steering Committee meeting in Annapolis, Maryland. Project FishSmart is a collaborative effort between the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, ASA and the University of Maryland to enhance sustainable marine recreational fishing and strengthen the conservation ethic among anglers. The project is reviewing the impact of recreational fishing on the health of fish stocks and will seek to develop alternative management approaches that incorporate the conservation interests of the sportfishing industry. The steering committee is comprised of representatives from the sportfishing industry, fishery managers, fishery scientists and representatives from the environmental community. For more information contact Mike Nussman, ASA president, x252, or Patty Doerr, ASA Ocean Resource Policy director, x244.
Federal VHS Order Re-issued, but Funding for Monitoring in Doubt
As reported in the July 2007 Policy Watch, funding for disease monitoring of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) is in jeopardy under the Department of Agriculture. In addition, the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish Health Lab funding for VHS measures was reduced by $473,000 in the administration budget submission for FY 2008. ASA is requesting this money be restored and is urging other fishery conservation organizations to do the same.
August FishNet Meeting
ASA convened a FishNet meeting with members of the Washington, D.C., fisheries conservation community to share information and updates on Marine Protected Areas, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, VHS and organic fisheries legislation.
Asian Carp Update
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the bill that authorizes the Corps of Engineers' projects, recently released its conference report. The report includes the authorization for the "Asian carp" dispersal barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. ASA, along with other conservation organizations, pushed for this language to be included in the bill. The completion of the barrier project is essential to the Great Lakes because of continued Asian carp migration toward the site of the barrier. The bill also authorizes a study about how to stop the spread of invasive species through the canal.
Fish Passage on Forest Service Roads
ASA has been working to make possible fish passage under Forest Service roads. This was achieved through a recent amendment of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act under Wallop-Breaux. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the costs, up to $10 million per year, "of facilitating the passage of aquatic species beneath forest roads," including the costs of construction and maintenance of passageways.
EU Lead Ban Update
The European Union (EU) Parliament's aim of securing a ban on the use of lead in fishing tackle has been defeated for the time being. The Parliament considers lead to be "˜priority hazardous,' but the EU Council reached a political agreement on water quality standards and adhered to the European Commission's proposal that doesn't support the Parliament's wish to add lead to the existing list of toxic substances. However, the Parliament and the Council are set for a second reading and it is believed that a "tough battle" can be expected with Parliament on the issue.