May 2008 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.
Marine Life Protection Act Update (MLPA)
The California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Proposal 2-XA remains one of four North Central Coast marine protected area (MPA) alternatives to be submitted to the Fish and Game Commission (FGC) in June. Proposal 2-XA has the support of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO). Although each proposal establishes a series of MPAs along the North Central coast as required under the MLPA, the alternative supported by ASA and the PSO has the least economic impact by minimizing unnecessary closures to recreational fishing while placing a high priority on marine resources conservation. A final decision by the Fish and Game Commission is expected in early fall. Southern California is preparing for the MLPA process to begin in that region. In preparation, PSO members attended workshops in Southern California designed to educate potential regional stakeholders on the process and the time commitment required to participate on the regional stakeholder group.
Cape Hatteras Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Meeting
ASA participated in the latest Negotiated Rulemaking Committee meeting to develop a management plan for the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. The meeting, held in Nags Head, N.C. on May 8-9, focused on designating areas of the seashore where ORVs would be permitted, subject to safety and resource closures to protect the shorebirds. ASA is represented on the Committee by board member Bob Eakes, owner of Red Drum Tackle Shop. The next meeting is scheduled for June 17-18 in Nags Head, N.C.
ASA Submits Comment Letter on MPA Framework
ASA submitted comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regarding its Revised Draft Framework for Developing the National System of MPAs. The framework establishes a process for including existing marine protected areas (MPAs) around the country into a National System of MPAs, including the establishment of goals and objectives. It also calls for the evaluation of the national system to determine conservation and management gaps that could in turn be addressed by the creation of additional MPAs. ASA’s comments stressed the importance of using strong scientific information in the creation of the network and new MPAs. ASA also stressed the importance of protecting recreational fishing and boating as a part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Clean Boating Act of 2008
Unless Congress acts soon, the country’s 18 million recreational boat owners will be required to obtain a federal or state permit in order to operate their boats. These permits would apply to any water-based, non-polluting operational discharge from a recreational boat. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) have introduced S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008, which would fully and permanently restore a permit exemption for a recreational boat’s incidental discharge. Send a letter to your Members of Congress urging their support of the Clean Boating Act. For more information, read ASA’s position on S. 2766.
Lieberman Supports National Fish Habitat Action Plan
At the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) May Board meeting, the criteria for acknowledging Fish Habitat Partnerships was heavily debated. Legislative progress and the public relations campaign were also discussed. ASA vice president Gordon Robertson sits on the NFHAP Board. Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) has agreed to introduce the NFHAP bill, but suggests supporters assist his office in seeking a bipartisan co-sponsor. The NFHAP legislative team is close to securing a Senate co-sponsor as well as a champion in the House. Although the timeline is short, the NFHAP legislative team will continue to advocate for introduction this year. ASA has a leadership role in the legislative effort for the NFHAP.
Farm Bill Update
The two-year effort to reauthorize the Farm Bill was nearly completed when the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve the bill and override President Bush’s veto just before the Memorial Day recess. But due to a clerical error that occurred when the House-Senate approved bill was being printed, the 34-page Trade Title was left out of the paperwork the President vetoed. As a result, President Bush vetoed an incomplete bill that enacted only 14 of the 15 titles. Although this mistake means that the entire bill could be reopened for debate, it appears at this stage that the Conservation Title, funded at nearly $4 billion, will remain intact and become law. In addition, salmon disaster assistance was included in the Farm Bill, and provides $170 million to aid commercial fishers and businesses that have been affected by the salmon closure in California, Oregon and Washington.
ASA Staff Attends Briefing on Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey
ASA staff attended the National Marine Fishery Service’s (NMFS) annual constituent briefing on the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS). The purpose of this year’s briefing was to inform stakeholders on how MRFSS data is collected and then used in stock assessments. NMFS also provided a briefing on its progress in transitioning from MRFSS to the new Marine Resources Information Program (MRIP).
ASA Meets with Coastal States Organization
ASA staff met with the new Coastal States Organization (CSO) executive director Kristin Fletcher to discuss a variety of marine issues of concern. Potential marine protected area (MPA) designation and the reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act were a main focus, as were strategies for partnering in the future to accomplish common conservation and public access goals.
Meeting With California Representatives on Water and Fishery Issues
ASA staff and ASA member Dick Pool, Pro-Troll, met with California Congressional representatives to discuss California water issues affecting the Central Valley Delta fisheries collapse. While there may be a number of factors contributing to the Delta fishery collapse, there is very strong evidence that state and federal water projects have been a major contributor to the decline. The pumps used by state and federal entities in the Delta transport water south for agricultural and municipal use. To date, mitigation for these losses has been almost non-existent.
Salmon Oversight Hearing
During a House of Representatives oversight hearing, Natural Resources Committee members heard testimony from West Coast salmon experts about various factors contributing to the sharp salmon decline that resulted in current fishing closures in California, Oregon and Washington. Testimony was provided by ASA member Dick Pool, Pro-Troll, regarding the Central Valley Delta fishery collapse, primarily due to water pumping practices that are causing unprecedented salmon mortality. Pool is also a member of ASA’s Government Affairs Committee.
ASA Meets With Department of Interior Staff
ASA staff met with Kaush Arha, deputy assistant secretary for Fish Wildlife and Parks, to discuss ASA’s concerns with recent marine protected area (MPA) trends and other sportfishing access issues, particularly beach closures at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. ASA reiterated its position that MPAs, and similar regulations that restrict recreational fishing access, should be designated using the best available science and through an open public process.
100th Anniversary of White House Conference on Conservation
ASA staff attended a reception commemorating the 100th anniversary of the White House Conference on Conservation. Hosts of the event, including the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Chairman of the Council of Environmental Quality and Representative Don Young of Alaska, spoke about the necessity of natural resource conservation in America. Also in attendance was the great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt, who spoke about Roosevelt’s goals for and commitment to conservation.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Board Meeting
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) held its annual Board meeting in May. Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president, sits on CSF’s Board. ASA and CSF have partnered on the marine protected area (MPA) issue and are working to ensure national MPA designations do not include regulations to eliminate or reduce recreational fishing opportunities.
