| USA. Message from American Sportfishing Association President |
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| Friday, 23 December 2005 | |
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Mike Nussman: Here we are, just days away from the beginning of 2006. It’s been four years since I became president of the American Sportfishing Association and the association has accomplished a lot in those four years. Attendance at ICAST, National Fishing and Boating Week and the Sportfishing Summit are up as we develop new and innovative ways to meet the needs of our membership. Our Government Affairs program, our consumer shows and our foundations, FishAmerica Foundation and the Future Fisherman Foundation, are vital components of the association that help ensure a healthy business environment for our industry. Looking ahead, what gives me the most confidence is that there's a terrific group of 20 talented people here at ASA who make service to our membership a fundamental way of doing business every day. They make things happen because of persistence, creativity and genuine dedication to our members. However, over the past four years, you, our members, have become more engaged in the work of the association and it’s your involvement that makes all the difference in our success. My thanks go to the Board of Directors, our committee members and our partners in the sportfishing community for your support and dedication to the association. ASA’s partnership with the Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Shows attract hundreds of thousands of avid California anglers. Bart Hall likes to say these events are like "sports shows on steroids." They provide ASA with a vital revenue stream we use to boost our efforts to protect your interests and help your business succeed. That's why we all have a stake in their success. But the shows don't just give us a good source of funds. We believe that partnering with consumer shows is an important way to support the sportfishing industry and provide a way for anglers, boaters and outdoor enthusiasts to support the vital work of the association. It seems that all good things policy-wise come with an enormous investment of patience and perseverance. This month, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a revised bill reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. Most of ASA's top priorities—guidelines for no-fishing areas, consideration of economic data from all sectors, improving the Scientific and Statistical Committee, setting up an angler registration system, improved data collection, provisions for rationalizing commercial fleets and bycatch provisions—were included in revisions to the bill. We will continue to work with key members of the Senate and their staff as the bill moves to consideration by the full Senate. Finally, and I can’t place enough emphasis on this, if we’re going to grow our sport, we all need to get behind the “Take Me Fishing” campaign. Join with me in making it a New Year’s resolution to take at least one new person out on the water in 2006. Sharing our passion for our sport is one of the most important ways we can all make a difference in angling participation. On behalf of the ASA staff, I want to wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 23 December 2005 ) |
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