"Fatally Flawed" Science Killing America's Number One Outdoor Pastime - An RFA Exclusive Report
Young FishermanDespite a National Research Council (NRC) report that shows the current statistical approach in the recreational sector is wrought with "serious flaws" and uses "inadequate analysis methods that need to be addressed immediately," the National Marine Fisheries Service continues using "fatally flawed" data to deny the public access to coastal fisheries, while crippling the recreational fishing industry. The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has gathered input from anglers from New York to Florida, while uncovering data from the NRC report to show how the "best available" science is being ignored. Click here to read RFA's MRFSS Report (published in Soundings Trade Only).

Mid-Atlantic Report - RFA Comments On Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass and Scup
Using new information from the 2009 Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Surveys (MRSS), it's expected that fishermen in the Mid Fisheries MeetingAtlantic region will be asked to accept more restrictive measures in 2010 for important recreational fisheries including black sea bass, scup (porgy) and summer flounder (fluke). In an official letter to the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council on behalf of RFA membership, Jim Donofrio asks first that council members consider the highest total allowable catch (TAC) that the Science and Statistical Committee is able to recommend for the fluke fishery, while asking further "When will the fishing community see the benefits of their conservation efforts?" Click here for RFA's comments.

"First-Hand" Reports From SAFMC As RFA Weighs In On Pending Snapper/Grouper Closures
Florida Sportsman's David Conway reports from the South Atlantic RedSnapperFishery Management Council (SAFMC) meetings in Charleston, South Carolina in mid-September, where among a variety of issues discussed were measures to govern the red snapper fishery from North Carolina to Key West, including proposals to close bottom fishing in certain swaths of territory off the Southeast coast. Joey Prochazka of Z-Man Fishing Products and RFA board member attended the meetings and told Conway "There was an overwhelming number of people speaking of very detailed statistics and counter measures to prevent closures." Visit the Florida Sportsman website.

California's "Corrupt" MLPA Plan Keeps RFA & Conservation Allies Busy On West Coast
Six groups representing California fishermen, local governments, and Sen. Schumerenvironmentalists on September 11 sued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to require comprehensive planning for wave energy projects on the West Coast. "Our fisheries and public ocean access are threatened by the so-called Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), as well as plans for offshore energy projects like wave energy, and it is our goal to restore the people's relationship with the ocean as a source of food and wealth for our coastal economy," said Jim Martin, RFA's West Coast Regional Director. Read the latest from the San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center

RFA-TX Board Meets With Texas Parks & Wildlife To Establish "Cooperative Working Relationship"
RFA-TX BoardThe RFA-Texas Chapter was recently invited in to Texas Parks and Wildlife for a sit down meeting to review fisheries initiatives important to recreational anglers in the Lone Star state. RFA's Jim Smarr (l-r) with Deputy Director Ross W. Melinchuk, Policy Director Robin K. Riechers, RFA-TX board members Randy Davis, Chuck Tylka, Dan Bulla, Steve Morris, Michael Myers, Bobby Grumbles, and Coastal Fisheries Deputy Director Michael S. Ray. Learn more about the RFA-TX meeting at Texas RFA chapter website.

Support the RFA With Every Tackle Purchase Surf Blitz
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 fellow RFA members to pick up a striped bass, mako, summer flounder, mahi or surf blitz themed card and keep one handy for fishing-related purchases, which in turn will strengthen RFA lobbying efforts in DC. Click here and apply today!

East Coast Update - RFA Members Start Letter-Writing Campaign to Protect Striped Bass
AustinStriperRFA is currently on a coastwide lobbying effort to oppose Draft Addendum II to the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan which would allow commercial fishermen to 'bank' unused quota by carrying it over from year to year, thereby increasing the commercial harvest by 15%. "While the striped bass has been declared a rebuilding success, there are concerns with the overall health of the stock and the manner in which we manage it," says RFA in a new Atlantic Coast postcard campaign to protect striped bass stocks. RFA believes Addendum II would put too much pressure on the largest, most reproductively valuable fish in the stock, and members from Maine to North Carolina are urged to look for the postcard to arrive by mail in the coming days. Non-members are asked to JOIN RFA TODAY to help protect the Atlantic striped bass stocks for the future.

RFA In the News

Snapper Madness A Congressional Call to Action
(Destin, FL)

Saltwater License Hits NY Anglers
(ESPN Outdoors)

Council to Discuss Ban on Weakfish Catches
(Atlantic City, NJ)

RFA Keeps Up Fight For Fishing Issues
(Soundings Trade Only)

Coming next month in RFA News 65th Edition for October, RFA goes on record with menhaden, weakfish, striped bass, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and more!