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Making Waves Making Waves Summer Summer2016 2019
Executive Director’s Report By Jim Donofrio
Growing Recreational Fishing in Saltwater
T
he National Marine Manufacturers Association held its 2019 American Boating Congress in Washington recently. It’s their annual effort to bring together industry leaders with members of Congress and the Administration to educate them about the boating industry, its positive impact on the economy and its needs to remain viable. During a side discussion with the media Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha Marine, offered his perspective on legislative and regulatory hurdles that have impacted the industry and he talked openly about how important it is to not only maintain the industry at current levels, but to be able to grow it going forward. It was encouraging to hear an industry leader with his credentials advocate for growth and his words struck home for us here at the RFA as we continue to press for changes to the Magnuson Stevens Act.
Legislators and some industry people simply accept it, perhaps afraid of the perception or back lash of asking for more reasonable measures that recognize increased access as fish stocks rebound. With limited entry, the commercial fleet doesn’t need or seek growth, participants make more money with a small fleet. Yet, the recreational sector requires growth opportunities. It needs new fishermen entering the sport and overly restrictive management measures scare new participants away. It’s the reason we are losing tackle shops, party boats and charter boats at a rate never seen before.
Recreational advocacy and industry groups have an unrealistic view of how to attract new participants and spend millions on outreach efforts in an attempt to market fishing to the general public. The results for saltwater have been dismal because they fail to address the underlying issue that saltwater fishing is a mentor sport, passed The main thrust of Magnuson since the 1996 down from generation to generation or person reauthorization has been fishing effort and catch to person. One of the best ways to introduce new people, especially young people, to fishing reduction. Reducing the number of fishermen, has always been a friend or relative taking them boats, quota and days at sea. And while those on party boats, but the party boat fleet has been measures were intended for the over-capitalized decimated by over-regulation. commercial sector, the concept quickly started The RFA agrees with Ben Speciale. The recreaspilling over to the recreational sector with little tional marine and fishing tackle industries need consideration of how the two sectors differ. This growth, but under current Federal regulatory is painfully evident today just by looking at the practices it simply won’t happen. MSA must be statistics for saltwater recreational fishing partici- fixed with more emphasis on recreational access pation. All growth in angler participation for the to increase participation back to and beyond the nation is taking place in freshwater while saltwa- levels of the past if the industries to flourish. It's time to ditch the losing attitude. and do it! ter angler numbers plummet.