The IGFA is among a coalition of five associations along with individual conservationists and businesses to form the Center for Coastal Conservation (CCC), a non-partisan national organization dedicated to enacting sensible marine conservation laws through education and political action.

Along with the IGFA, the other groups include the American Sportfishing Assoc. (ASA), The Billfish Foundation (TBF) the National Marine Manufacturers Assoc. (NMMA) and the Coastal Conservation Assoc. (CCA). Though the groups hold a wide range of interests the new coalition will focus on federal policy and elections starting in 2008. The announcement was made at a news conference during the ICAST fishing tackle trade show in Las Vegas in July.

IGFA President Rob Kramer and IGFA International Hall of Famer Walter Fondren III; will serve on the CCC's 12 member board of directors. IGFA Trustee Bill Shedd represented Kramer who was in Japan during the news conference.

"The Center fills a vacuum that existed on the national scene for a business-oriented organization dedicated to protecting America's coastal resources through involvement in the political process," said Jack Lawton, Jr., the group's founding chairman. "The Center is already involved in the 2008 election process through support of candidates for the House and Senate who we believe can support our goals."

Lawton emphasized that The Center brings under a single umbrella the leading advocates for marine recreational fishing and boating. The new organization promotes sound conservation and use of ocean resources by backing federal legislators who support its goals. The Center will focus on promoting a quality recreational fishery; ending over fishing; rebuilding plans for fisheries; improving angling and boating access, and working waterfronts and marinas.

"The Center focuses on helping elect conservation-minded men and women to the U.S. House and Senate and educating all Members of Congress regarding issues that are important to recreational fishing and boating," said Lawton. "We have an active PAC, and we are engaging in more than 30 races."

The Center's mission is to promote good stewardship of America's marine resources with its members participating in federal elections through gifts to its political action committee, Center PAC (similar to what large groups like the NRA exert for hunting, shooting sports and wildlife conservation). "Every year, more than 12 million Americans enjoy wetting a line in our oceans and along our coasts," said Kramer. "More than just a traditional American pastime and contributor to conservation, saltwater recreational fishing is a major economic driver generating more than $30 billion in economic impact and supporting nearly 350,000 jobs nationwide. As such, there needs to be a clear and coordinated message to the decision makers within our federal government to ensure that this constituency is heard and given appropriate consideration.

"Current tax laws severely limit the ability of not-for-profit organizations like the IGFA to become involved in the political process. The Center for Coastal Conservation provides a much-needed mechanism for angling organizations and individuals to communicate a unified message to political leaders and other government officials."

"As an international organization with members in more than 120 countries and territories," Kramer continued, "the IGFA would like to see the United States become a more proactive leader in international fisheries issues affecting fishermen around the world. The first step to doing this is by becoming a higher priority for our government right here in the United States. We feel that our nearly 70-year reputation as a leader in game fish conservation and our international knowledge of recreational fishing will be a great benefit to the newly created Center."

Jefferson Angers of Louisiana is the Center's first president. He previously served as executive director and CEO of the CCA of Louisiana for 15 years.

"We're committed to conservation policies that conserve natural resources while keeping them accessible for recreational fishing, boating and other uses that don't cause harm," Angers said. "Some seem to believe that good conservation can only be best achieved by restricting access to our resources, and others favor exploiting resources with few restrictions. Our philosophy is that we can balance effective conservation with sensible access."

"We have high hopes for a more proactive approach to fisheries management and look forward to working with our colleagues on this joint effort," Kramer added.

For more information, visit www.CoastalConservation.US.