Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster
The sportfishing community is calling upon federal and state officials to act swiftly and diligently to mitigate the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational fishing contributes $41 billion in economic output in the Gulf Coast region annually and supports over 300,000 jobs. The disaster is having a significant impact on the Gulf of Mexico’s marine fishery resources and sportfishing industry, including the nearly 2,300 tackle shops in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida’s west coast.
On June 16, BP agreed to set aside $20 billion in an independently-managed escrow account to pay economic damage claims to people and businesses that have been affected by the oil spill. Please go to the BP website— www.bp.com/claims—for more information.
To read the latest information about the industry’s response to the oil disaster—including press releases, please go to www.KeepAmericaFishing.org/ gulfoilspill.html.
Please support our efforts to KeepAmericaFishing™ by making a contribution.
 South Atlantic Fishery Closure Update
Expanded fishing closures in the South Atlantic will result in millions in lost sales and would affect more than 1,300 businesses with an estimated $78 million in lost sales. Read more…
ICAST 2010—Just a Few More Weeks Remain to “Get in on the Action”
 If you haven’t already made your arrangements for ICAST 2010, now is the time to do so. Read more about the show including the show schedule and show specials.
ASA thanks our ICAST 2010 sponsors for their generous support. Read more…
ASA Government Affairs Staff Changes
After three years as ASA’s Ocean Resource Policy Director Patty Doerr is leaving the association to accept the position as Director of Conservation Projects for The Nature Conservancy’s New Jersey chapter. Effective June 21, Mike Leonard, ASA’s current Policy Fellow, will take on the responsibilities of that position. Mike earned his Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science from Virginia Tech and his Master’s degree in Fisheries Science from Auburn University. Congratulations to both Patty and Mike.
Spotlight on ASA’s East and West Coast Consumer Shows
ASA’s consumer shows once again attracted thousands of outdoor enthusiasts on both coasts. Read more…
ASA Board of Directors Elections
Six members of the ASA Board of Directors were elected or re-elected in June. Regional seats went to Kirk Immens, Sportco Marketing, Inc., who will serve the Great Lakes Region; Tom Fote, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, who will serve the Northeast Region; and Gregg Wollner (re-elected), Rapala, who will serve the Northern Plains and Inter-Mountain Region. At-large seats went to Dave Pfeiffer, Shimano American Corporation; Scott Frnka, Cabelas’s Inc.; and Peter Foley (re-elected), Boone Bait Company. Their terms begin October 1, 2010. The Board members serve two-year terms. Read more…
Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council Appointments
ASA members and staff were appointed to the 19-member Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
Regular Features
Government Affairs Policy Watch
Learn more about ASA’s efforts to ensure that sportfishing’s interests are represented when policy decisions are made including:
- Urge the White House to Safeguard Recreational Fishing
- California Marine Life Protection Act Planning Update
- Support the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area Update
- Read more…
Currents
Read the latest information from NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies that impact the sportfishing industry. Read more…
Focus on the FishAmerica Foundation
An FAF-supported fisheries habitat enhancement project wins the 2009 Coastal America Partnership Award. Read more about this project and others…
Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation Update
RBFF receives a federal grant to continue boating and fishing outreach and provide exciting new programs and products to engage both new and avid anglers. Read more…
Welcome, New Members!
The American Sportfishing Association thanks it members for their support. We welcome these new members or members who reinstated their membership in March, April and May 2010. Read more…
Support Sportfishing’s Future
Members of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) support efforts to ensure sportfishing’s future. For more information about ASA membership, contact Membership Director Jill Calabria, 703-519-9691, x234.
To learn more about what you can do to help ASA’s fight against efforts to restrict fishing access, please visit www.keepamericafishing.org.
To gain information on the most relevant issues facing the sportfishing industry, mark your calendar for the Sportfishing Summit, ASA’s annual membership meeting and premier networking event, being held October 26–28, at the Westin Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., just prior to the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show. | 
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