Success in the sportfishing industry increasingly depends upon fishing access and engaging new anglers in the sport. Recently, more than 140 sportfishing industry leaders representing nearly 90 companies and organizations from the United States, Canada and Europe gathered at the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) annual Sportfishing Summit to focus their efforts on these two key issues.
The 2007 Sportfishing Summit, held October 10-12, in Sanibel, Fla., featured a keynote address by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. In his remarks, Kempthorne recognized ASA’s proactive role in working with the federal government on polices that effect ASA’s members, including access and habitat conservation. Kempthorne also spoke to ASA’s members and guests about the critical issue of connecting children with nature saying, “We need to get our children out of cyberspace and into open space.”
“Our Summit is the only venue where ASA members can meet with federal and state government leaders, other organizations and the outdoor media to discuss the most pressing issues that effect sportfishing,” said Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO.”For that reason, this year’s Summit agenda focused on participation and access.”
In response to the association’s active involvement in California’s Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, the Board of Directors adopted an official position on marine protected areas (MPAs). The position reads, in part, that “the establishment of any Marine Protected Area, regardless of its level of restrictions, should be based on the best scientific information available; include criteria to assess the conservation benefits of the closed area; establish a timetable for review of the closed area’s performance…; and be based on an assessment of the benefits and impacts of the closure.”
Thursday’s sessions were dedicated to participation and focused on the latest information impacting the sportfishing industry, including the results of the USFWS’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Nussman presented a State of the Industry address, followed by Glenn Hughes, publisher, Bonnier Corporation, and Chairman of ASA’s Data and Statistics Committee. Hughes discussed the National Survey in relation to our industry’s past, present and future. ASA members also heard about the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s strategic focus for 2008 and beyond.
Friday’s presentations focused on the critical issue of access and the push toward the closure of large portions of coastal waters to sportfishing as a way to manage fish populations. A panel discussion featuring David Kennedy, director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOAA; Mark Powell, vice president, Fish Conservation, The Ocean Conservancy; and Ray Hilborn, Ph.D., Richard C. and Lois M. Worthington Professor of Fisheries Management, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, gave attendees the opportunity to hear the about the access issue from the federal, environmental and conservation points of view.
During the Member Reception & Dinner, Darrell Lowrance, long-time president of Lowrance Electronics, Inc., who recently retired after 50 years in the industry, was presented the Norville Prosser Lifetime Achievement Award, ASA’s highest honor, for his life-long dedication to the sportfishing industry.
ASA would especially like to thank its sponsors: Bass Pro Shops; Plano Molding Company; ZEBCO/WC Bradley; the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation; and Maui Jim Sunglasses for helping to make this year’s membership meeting a great success.
The 2008 Sportfishing Summit will be held October 29-31, 2008, at the San Luis Resort, Galveston Island, Texas.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America.By: Mary Jane Williamson, Dir Communications
