PEW BUYS SCIENCE TO PROVE THEY'RE DESTROYING RECREATIONAL FISHING INDUSTRY
The Pew Environment Group recently purchased a new scientific report that uses retroactive analysis to estimate the amount of money that could've been generated in commercial and recreational fisheries if fish populations were considered rebuilt. "The Pew study shows that anglers are willing to pay more for the opportunity to fish, which is exactly how our industry is currently being destroyed," said Jim Hutchinson, Jr., Managing Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). Click here for Hutch's take on Pew scientific shopping spree.

RFA TELLS NOAA "EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO FISH"
Call it a friendly reminder, but no means no! RFA recently reiterated its official stance on recreational catch shares, telling NOAA's catch shares task force advisor Monica Medina that limited access Jim Donofrioprivilege programs (LAPP) have no place in the recreational sector. In an official letter to NOAA, RFA's Jim Donofrio said "Some groups have suggested selling fishing rights to the highest bidder, thereby assigning a dollar value for every pound of recreationally landed fish. RFA believes this approach would set a profound precedence forcing anglers to pay for fishing access. As market factors drive the cost for each fish, the recreational fishery would become cost prohibitive for many anglers to engage the fishery. The result would be a fishery reserved exclusively for the wealthy and those financially privileged enough to afford to fish. This approach is in complete violation of the Public Trust Doctrine which is the legal doctrine that protects the interests and rights of the public to free access to the nation's marine resources." Read Jim's full letter to NOAA on behalf of RFA members nationwide.

Congressman Requests "Moratorium" On Closures
U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL) has introduced legislation that would place on hold a proposed ban on red snapper fishing in the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Florida. Rep. Mica's bill directs the red snapperSecretary of Commerce to conduct a study of the population of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic Marine Fishery (from North Carolina to Florida), and to limit the authority of the Secretary to move forward with any interim rule that prohibits red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic Marine Fishery until the study is reported to Congress. "Before we halt fishing, it is important that we secure accurate information on the health and status of the current red snapper population," Rep. Mica stated. Rep. Mica's formal request to stop any southeast fishing closures follows in stride with the June 5 plea by RFA to Florida legislators to consider a two-pronged approach to work on behalf of coastal communities.

California's MLPA Plan - Preservation Vs. Privatization
Jim Martin, West Coast Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance and Dan Wohlford, Science Director of the Coastside Fishing Club and member of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) recently told San Francisco Bay Area Indymedia that a landmark study published in Science magazine on July 31 said that the Laguna Beach surfcasterCalifornia marine ecosystem has the lowest fishery exploitation rate of any place in the world examined. This peer reviewed scientific assessment coauthored by Ray Hilborn, Boris Worm and 19 other international scientists contrasts with the claims of California's Governor and his collaborators that stocks of groundfish including lingcod and rockfish are in severe crisis and that the massive area closures are needed to "save" them - and effectively challenges the need to fast-track the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process. "Much of the motivation for the MLPA was concern about the state of the groundfish stocks - there is clear evidence that these can be rebuilt without MPAs resulting from the MLPA that have only recently begun to be implemented," Dr. Hilborn said. Martin said the network of new marine reserves designed to "protect" 85 square miles of ocean will do nothing to protect these waters from pollution, but instead will only remove Indian tribe members, fishermen and seaweed harvesters, among the strongest backers of fishery and environmental restoration. The Mendocino Beacon reports there may be more to the story for those able to follow the money trail.

RFA Members in CT, FL & NJ Asked To Continue Grassroots Efforts To Gain Senate Support
Earlier this year, RFA-NY chapter members began a letter-writing campaign to attract legislative attention to Rep. Frank Pallone's Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (H 1584).. Charter BoatThe grassroots efforts paid off when leading Democratic Senator Charles Schumer from New York announced his Senate version of the bill (S.1255). The letter writing campaign continues, as RFA chapter members in New Jersey, Florida and Connecticut are keeping up the heat. Visit the RFA Homepage to learn more about how you can help return limited flexibility to the Magnuson Stevens Act, and help fisheries managers support fisheries conservation and fishermen alike. Find letters to Sen. Lieberman (D-CT), Sen. Nelson (D-FL) and Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ) on the RFA homepage.

Support the RFA With Every Tackle Purchase credit card
The RFA and CardPartner, Inc. have joined forces to launch the RFA Visa affinity Platinum ? Rewards credit card. When a cardholder activates the card, RFA receives $50 cash back. Once a month for the life of the program, the RFA will also receive a check for a portion of every dollar that every cardholder charges. "We're urging our RFA members to apply for the card and to use it to purchase their bait and tackle whenever or wherever they'd ordinarily use another piece of plastic in their wallet," said Jim Hutchinson, Jr., Managing Director of the RFA. "When anglers book charters or buy gear using the RFA Visa affinity Platinum ? Rewards credit card, we'll all get better opportunities to fish tomorrow through all-important cash back." Hutchinson says the program through CardPartner, Inc. is a pretty good one with no annual fee, 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers in the first six months, and users can earn points a participating retailers. "If you dedicate one card in your wallet for fishing-related purposes, the RFA Visa card will allow our lobbying efforts in DC to get even stronger," Hutchinson said. RFA Visa cards come in five different fish styles including striped bass, summer flounder, mahi, mako and beach blitz. Click here and apply today!

East Coast Tournament Update - RFA Member Reels in "400 Grander" In White Marlin Open
RFA member Robert Farris of Charlotte, NC aboard the No Problem out of Fenwick Island, DE set both a tournament and state record in White Marlin Openthis year's White Marlin Open with his 1,062-pound blue marlin. After fighting the grander for over 3 hours on 80-pound tackle, Farris and crew brought the big blue back to Harbour Island Marina for a $454,999 tournament payout. "I am very happy that a member of the RFA was able to land a new White Marlin Open and state of Maryland record," said Jim Motsko, founder and president of the tournament. Motsko, who is also on the national Board of Directors for the RFA said he has noticed quite a few larger white marlin over the past few years, adding "I feel the reduction in number of U.S longline boats and better regulation of foreign longline boats is having a positive effect on white marlin as well as the recreational fisherman's use of the circle hooks." This year's White Marlin Open had a field of 298 boats and total payout of over $2.1 million, including $903,442 for white marlin.

The Mid Atlantic $500,000 will kick off on Sunday, August 16 at 4:30, with the top big game fishermen from around the world descending upon Cape May, NJ and Ocean City, MD for a week's worth of million-dollar offshore action. A charity raffle to support the RFA and IGFA will be held all week in conjunction with the tournament. Click here for Mega Marlin auction sponsors.

A reminder that there's still time to enter the Tuna Stakes Invitational which kicks off on August 22 & 23, with boats leaving inlets at Shark River south to Cape May in New Jersey. Fishing is captain's choice of one of four nights after the commencement of the captain's meeting, slated for 8:30 p.m. on August 22 at Hoffman's Marina in Brielle and August 23 at Hooter's of Trump Marina in Atlantic City.