Romney Speaks About Recreational Fishing in Big Game Fishing Journal

The September/October edition of Big Game Fishing Journal features an exclusive interview with Mitt Romney on issues related to recreational fishing.

"The Journal's publisher, Len Belcaro, asks the real questions on the minds of saltwater anglers today, and Governor Romney's answers are exactly what our community has wanted to hear," said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.

 "Just looking at a few of the advance quotes I can tell that Governor Romney truly gets it!"

On what sportfishing means to him as former governor of a coastal state (Massachusetts):

"The economic impacts of recreational fishing activities are significant, and they have too often been overlooked in recent years."

How 'President' Romney would help preserve and protect our coastal traditions:

"Recreational angling can be an incredible economic engine for our coastal states, but it is being shackled by misguided, over-reaching regulations that make little economic or conservation sense."

What a Romney administration would do to address national ocean policy:

"Public participation should begin early in the process and be ongoing. Sustainable recreational use should not only be supported within a national ocean policy, it should be actively promoted."

Tackling angler criticism of NOAA Fisheries:

"A more responsive, transparent, science- and economics-based system is needed to properly manage our marine fisheries. When those pieces are in place, we will enter a new era of trust and cooperation that will be good for the fish - and the fishermen."

The governor's perspective on critical appointments inside Department of Commerce:

"A Romney Administration would focus on bringing a new philosophy into fisheries management that will put the focus back on commonsense regulations that can protect and rebuild fisheries when necessary, but will also allow anglers greater access to healthy marine resources."

To pick up a copy of the September/October Big Game Fishing Journal, visit its dealers page or call 800-827-4468.

Romney a Better Choice for Anglers

As the November election nears, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and the September issue of Big Game Fishing Journal provides reasons to vote for Mitt Romney.

The latter features an interview with Romney by its publisher, Len Belcaro. A few quotes from the piece follow.

How “President” Romney would help preserve and protect our coastal traditions:

"Recreational angling can be an incredible economic engine for our coastal states, but it is being shackled by misguided, over-reaching regulations that make little economic or conservation sense."

The governor's perspective on critical appointments inside Department of Commerce:

"A Romney Administration would focus on bringing a new philosophy into fisheries management that will put the focus back on commonsense regulations that can protect and rebuild fisheries when necessary, but will also allow anglers greater access to healthy marine resources."

To find out where you can buy the Journal, check out the Dealer’s Page. Or call 800 827-4468. You can find back issues and subscribe here.

To read more about the upcoming election as it pertains to saltwater anglers, science- and economic-based fisheries management, and the National Ocean Policy, read RFA's newsletter for August/September. 

Walmart Heirs Allied With Obama Administration in Anti-Fishing Agenda

Anti-fishing is well represented in President Obama’s administration, and, as I pointed out yesterday, its advocates will be even more aggressive should this President win a second term.

They will have plenty of support too. Not in terms of numbers; recreational fishing is viewed favorably by a vast majority of people. But in terms of finances; preservationists --- those who believe that we should exist apart from nature, as opposed to as a part of nature --- have deep pockets, and they are spending millions to keep us from fishing.

About a year ago, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) pointed to the Walton Family Foundation as one of the worst, even though Walmart stores are eager to sell fishing tackle to anglers.

“Shopping for fishing equipment at Walmart is contributing directly to the demise of our sport, it’s supporting lost fishing opportunities and decreased coastal access for all Americans,” said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio.

 “I hope all RFA members across the country will remember that when it’s time to gear up, but I would also wonder if perhaps our industry can help spread the message and support our local tackle shops by also pulling product off Walmart’s shelves.” 

In the wake of that revelation, the National Legal and Policy Center explained Walmart ties to the green movement in an article with the headline “Walmart Heirs Fund Anti-Fishing Activists.”

Here’s an excerpt:

“The bulk of the foundation’s grants have gone to many of the usual suspects within environmental extremism: Environmental Defense Fund, World Wildlife Fund, National Audubon Society, American Rivers, Ocean Conservancy, and Marine Stewardship Council, among others. The New Jersey-based Recreational Fishing Alliance calls the substantive gifts an attempt to ‘fund the demise of both the recreational and commercial fishing industry,’ noting especially Ocean Conservancy’s desire to eliminate access.”

And there’s more. Much more. Stay tuned to the Activist Angler to learn what we’re up against.

Also, remember that a vote for President Obama in November is a vote against recreational fishing and a vote for the preservationist movement embraced by the Walton Family Foundation and other philanthropists whose views don’t reflect those of the majority of Americans.  

House Strikes Again to Stop Big Government Assault Against Recreational Fishing

Shortly after passing an amendment to limit funding for Catch Shares (See “House Votes Against Catch Shares Expansion” below.) the U.S. House of Representatives also used a bipartisan vote of 246-174 for another amendment to halt funding of President Obama’s National Ocean Policy (NOP).

The National Ocean Council would use the NOP to “zone” uses of the nation’s waters, starting with the oceans. In effect, federal bureaucrats would tell us where we can and cannot fish.

“The National Ocean Policy creates a new layer of federal bureaucracy that has the potential to make major changes to the way inland, ocean and coastal activities are managed,” said Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

“Mandatory ocean zoning has already proven to be an excuse for the Administration to block economic activity. Without knowing the potential jobs and economic ramifications of the Policy, nor the amount of time, money and resources it will cost to implement, it is imperative that we halt funding so that these questions can be answered and proper Congressional oversight can be conducted.”

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This may be the first presidential election in history where the rights of coastal fishermen enter the national debate --- Jim Donofrio, RFA

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Rep. Bill Flores of Texas said this:

“The National Ocean Policy was formed without congressional authority and would be run by unaccountable and unelected Washington bureaucrats. These proposed policy guidelines and processes have the potential to change the permitting criteria and requirements for a large number of economic sectors, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, maritime shipping, traditional fuels and renewable energy development, mining and power production.

“It is imperative that we first understand the effects this policy will have on jobs as well as the vast coastal and inland economies, which collectively impact almost 80 percent of our entire country. I was pleased to see the passage of my amendment preventing the funding for the National Ocean Policy, which had the potential to take funds away from existing congressionally authorized activities critical to the ocean and coastal economies.”

And Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, added, “This is not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about protecting the rights and heritage of our coastal residents.

"RFA has had numerous meetings with high-ranking members of Congress about these policies, including House Speaker (John) Boehner who himself is a fishermen and understands what we're dealing with right now at NOAA Fisheries and within the White House CEQ. This may be the first presidential election in history where the rights of coastal fishermen enter the national debate." 

House Votes Against Catch Shares Expansion

The House of Representatives has voted 220-191 to deny additional funding for Catch Shares --- the Big Government strategy to privatize our public ocean fisheries.

In passing the Southerland-Grimm Amendment, the House closed a loophole created by environmental groups to expand Catch Shares, described as Limited Access Privilege Programs along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico.

According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2013 prohibits use of appropriated funds from being used to develop, approve, or implement any limited access privilege program that is not already developed, approved, or implemented for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, New England, or Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils.

Now, the Senate will consider the measure.

"We applaud the efforts of Rep. (Michael) Grimm and Rep. (Steve) Southerland, not only for getting this vote to the floor but for their ability to successfully debate this issue with fellow members of Congress to see it get passed," says RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio.

"There was certainly some partisan opposition to this effort, but for the coastal legislators who understand what's been going on back at home for the past 3-1/2 years, the united efforts of Republicans and Democrats alike was what got this important amendment through."

In a letter to colleagues, RFA says, Rep. Grimm and Rep. Southerland explained that Catch Shares “are no different than any other inside-the-Beltway-style tactic determined to destroy every aspect of American freedom under the guise of conservation.

“By capping the amount of fish that may be caught annually and gifting a select few with shares of the annual catch, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is privatizing access to a once open fishery. Make no mistake about it: Catch Shares are nothing less than a cap-and-trade management system for our oceans."

RFA adds that NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco helped write the official Catch Shares manual while working with Environmental Defense Fund prior to her presidential appointment in 2009. Now she has put the power of Catch Shares development and approval into the hands of a few hand-selected appointments to the regional fisheries councils.

"We're happy that key staffers in Rep. Southerland's office have been attending Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meetings during the past two years to see what's actually happening under this administration," Donofrio says.

RFA encourages other coastal members of Congress to send staffers to regional fishery council meetings to gain a better understanding of the process by which this Administration has all but neglected the input of local fishermen. "It's an eye-opener watching NOAA's arrogance at work from a local level," Donofrio says.