Recreational and Commercial Fishing Industries Unite For Fisheries Reform
-Industry Leaders Descend on Capitol Hill to Make Their Case-

WASHINGTON, D.C. ??? Members of the recreational, charter, and commercial fishing industries, representing well over 100 fishing organizations, met with Members of Congress and congressional staff in support of bipartisan legislation which promotes healthy populations of fisheries and fishing communities. H.R. 5425, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fishery Act of 2008, co-sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ),Henry Brown (R-SC), Barney Frank (D-MA), and Walter Jones (R-NC) would provide a measure of flexibility into the management process without compromising conservation goals. At present, the law requires a total rebuilding of the stock of certain "overfished" species within 10 years, often requiring drastic reductions in fishing quotas and in some cases a complete or effective shut-down of the fishery.

Those who attended meetings on Capitol Hill stated:

"The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and its members continue to fight for fishing organizations nationwide. I am encouraged by the level of bipartisan support we have received for this legislation. Congressional support for H.R. 5245 is the first step to managing fish populations for both recreational and commercial purposes without compromising our conservation efforts or the rebuilding efforts initially established by the Magnuson-Stevens Act."- James A. Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA

"The spirit of cooperation between the sectors was amazing. Everyone there recognized the passion we have in common, FISHING. Together we can effect positive change for the resource and the fishermen no matter if you were commercial, charter or recreational."- Robert Spaeth, Southern Offshore Executive Director

"The real, and we believe, unintended impact of the current Magnuson-Stevens Act, is that historic fishing communities, small historic fishing families, and the fishing public are suffering brutal social and economic harm. So much so that the charter fishing sector is facing 25% or more of the national fleet going out of business at the end of this year. This inflexibility of the current Magnuson-Stevens Act along with a slow economy and increasing fuel prices is causing unprecedented reductions in fishing effort every day." -Capt. Bob Zales, II, Executive Director, Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF)

"There are plenty of precautionary measures taken to protect the fish. It is time to recognize the need for precaution with the people who fish. The recreational and commercial sectors have come together for the first time in history because of the unfair and unnecessary fishing regulations being forced upon us. The increasing pressure from the current Magnuson-Stevens Act has caused over-restriction of fishing activity, costing the USA billions of dollars in economic impact."- Dennis O'Hern, Executive Director, Fishing Rights Alliance, Inc. (FRA)

"Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) is proud to support this legislation which will ensure conservation, rebuilding, and access for our fisheries."- Douglas MacPherson, Rhode Island Saltwater Angler s Association

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING H.R. 5425, THE FLEXIBILITY IN REBUILDING AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT OF 2008

Alaska Charterboat Association
Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman's Club
Atlantic Marine Electronics
Atlantic Highlands Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental (NJ)
Bay Park Fishing Station (NY)
Big Game Fishing Journal
Bimini Bay Outfitters
Bombardier Recreational Products
Bradley Beach Fishing Club
Brielle Chamber of Commerce (NJ)
Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
Captain Anderson's Marina
Captain Tate's (NJ)
Captree Boatmen's Association
Charterboat Association of Puget Sound
Coastal Bend Guides Association (TX)
Coastal Fisherman
Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen
Deep Creek Charterboat Association (AK)
Destin Charter Boat Association (FL)
E-Z OUT-RODDER
Eastern Shore Anglers Virginia
Fishermen's Conservation Association
Fisherman's Den (NJ)
Fishermen's Supply (NJ)
Fishing Rights Alliance
Folsom Tackle Corporation
Forked River Tuna Club
Francis Fleet of Point Judith, RI
Garden State Yacht Sales (NJ)
Golden Gate Fishermen's Association (CA)
Greg Abrams Seafood
Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association (NJ)
Grumpy's Tackle (NJ)
Half Hitch Tackle
Har Lee Rod Inc. (NJ)
Hobby Lobby Marine (NJ)
Homer Charter Association (AK)
HD Wood Advertising
Julian's Sport Shop (NJ)
Indian River Charter Boat Association
Island House Marina (VA)
Jersey Coast Anglers Association
Key West Charter Boatmen's Association (FL)
Long Island Beach Buggy Association
Maine Association of Charterboat Captains
Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club
Marco Island Charter Captains Association
Marine Retailers Association of America
Marine Trades Association, NJ
Marine Trades Association, NY
Marine Trades Association, RI
Maryland Charertboat Association
Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association
Montauk Boatmen's and Captain's Association
Murphy's Hook House (NJ)
My Wife's Rod & Reel Repair Shop (NJ)
National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO)
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
New Jersey Angler
New Jersey Beach Buggy Association
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association
Nor'east Saltwater
North Coast Fishing Association (CA)
North Fork Captain's Association
Northeast Angling
Northeast Charter Boat Captain's Association
Old Inlet Bait & Tackle, Delaware
Orange Beach Fishing Association
Palm Beach Towers
Panama City Boatmen Association (FL)
Pensacola Charterboat Association
Piedmont Offshore Sportfishing Club (NC)
Port Aransas Boatmen (TX)
Port Monmouth Marine, Inc. (NJ)
Ramsey Outdoor (NJ)
Recreational Fishing Alliance
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
Rudy Marine (DE)
Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund, Mid-Atlantic
Scott's Bait & Tackle (Bradley Beach, NJ)
Scott's Bait & Tackle (Mystic Island, NJ)
Sea Hawk Sports Center (MD)
Shark River Surf Anglers
Shore Catch Guide Service (NJ)
Sonoma County Abalone Network (CA)
South Atlantic Charterboat Association
South Jersey Marina (NJ)
South Jersey Saltwater Anglers
South Texas Big Game Fishing Club (TX)
Southeastern Fisheries Association
Southern Offshore Fishing Association
Spray Dock (NJ)
Spring Lake Freezer
Steinhatchee Charter Association
Stellwagon Bank Charter Boat Association
Stone Harbor Yacht Sales (NJ)
Suffix Fishing Line
T & A Tackle (NJ)
The Fisherman
The Reel Seat (NJ)
The Tackle Box (NJ)
Treasure Island Marina
United Boatmen, NY & NJ
Viking Yacht Company
Virginia Council of Angling Clubs
Westport Charterboat Association (WA)
White Water Marine (NY)