RFA new jersey: website

[surferman]

Hey guys the rfa in nj has their own website --

http://rfanj.org/

[hookedonbass]

Great, thanks.

[DarkSkies]

They're now endorsing Congressman Adler. Even though many people, including me, are disillusioned with politicians and the "dirty" side of politics, this is the way things get done in our gov't.

The RFA realizes that, and as your voice is working to raise awareness about fishermen issues, one legislator at a time.

As others in Congress see the power and influence of the RFA growing, they will be compelled to recognize them and the fishermens' platform they're talking about.

:clapping::clapping: for the RFA. If you aren't aware of some of the things they're doing, why not go to the web site and check them out. :thumbsup:


Recreational Fishing Alliance (NJ) Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732
For Immediate Release March 15, 2010

RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANCE ENDORSES CONGRESSMAN ADLER
RFA-NJ Praises Rep. Adler's Efforts on Behalf of Saltwater Anglers


March 15, 2010 - Today, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) endorsed Congressman John Adler for reelection to Congress. Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA, praised Rep. Adler for his work in Congress on behalf of South Jersey fishermen and fishing related businesses.
"Congressman John Adler is always fighting for New Jersey's sportsmen," Jim Donofrio said. "Rep. Adler is a friend to the fishing community in Ocean County and across South Jersey. He works with Democrats and Republicans alike to support our fishermen and local economy," he added.
Congressman Adler meets regularly with his Sportsmen's Advisory Board, chaired by Donofrio, and he recently joined the RFA at a rally in Washington DC to call on Congress to revise overly restrictive regulations that are closing fisheries and hurting coastal communities. Adler is an original cosponsor of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act (H.R. 1584).
In addition, Congressman Adler is working with the RFA, local fishermen, and environmental groups to clean up Barnegat Bay. Rep. Adler has also cosponsored legislation to help clean New Jersey's coasts, and continues to urge the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to level the playing field for local fishermen by expressing concern over the use of "catch shares" as a way to manage recreational fisheries, and opposing the listing of spiny dogfish on CITES.
The RFA is a bi-partisan organization that previously endorsed former-Congressman Jim Saxton and is proud to endorse Congressman John Adler for his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

To learn more about the RFA-NJ chapter and to get involved in NJ saltwater fishing issues, visit www.rfanj.org. (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103194077533&s=10015&e=001ca4AdRwJbwJVS8qzRvU_R4SfCHgD1Mlq08GO1Iov7quUl glbBaBuiSLQftjveNFq8Sx1hrNW0dPdqT68PDTBZ7XCVnkbGNl 3UzXv_N6QNaqslR8g9SxagA==)

About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103194077533&s=10015&e=001ca4AdRwJbwIDLMyn0SCalLANB_1QeBkxwmumYPIirQ0Vv 0HNoXAgQ648-ZZzRI-nc6iiC5YAWdIiNxkxB_zOV2INJq0-isTTyrkoYN-Fr62yJloq37PJqA==).

[DarkSkies]

Sent in by Finchaser, thanks!


Recreational Fishing Alliance (NJ) Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732
For Immediate Release March 16, 2010

LORAN TOWER CLOSING THREATENS TWO-MILE BEACH ACCESS
RFA-NJ Fights For Surfcasting Access In Cape May


March 16, 2010 - Many New Jersey surfcasters gasped when the headline "As Coast Guard shuts down Loran, site of Cape facility eyed for piping plover nesting" ran in the January 20, 2010 of the Atlantic City Press. Land-based fishermen's ability to access Two Mile Beach and Cold Spring Inlet has been challenged before, and according to the Recreational Fishing Alliance's New Jersey chapter (RFA-NJ) another battle could be looming on the horizon.

The closing of the Loran tower has muddled the future of Two Mile Beach, as the Coast Guard is considering vacating the property. Given the opportunity, the federal Fish and Wildlife Service has stated interest in obtaining the land for beach nesting birds. Howard Schlegal, manager of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, states "If the Wildlife Service gets the property, the beach would be closed from April 1 to September 30 for the piping plovers."

Rather than delay and wait for the Coast Guard to make a decision, RFA-NJ has taken action to maintain surf fishermen's right to access Two Mile Beach. In a letter to U.S. Rep. LoBiondo, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, RFA-NJ states "As one of the leading groups representing land-based anglers in NJ, we wanted to bring this issue to your attention and voice our opinion/concerns early in the process and continue a dialogue with you as this process moves forward. Any pending property transfer should not impose additional access restrictions for land-based fishermen, regardless of which entity assumes responsibility of the property. Currently, land-based fishermen are only allowed access to the beachfront and jetty on foot. This low-impact use suits anglers, offering an experience unlike other beaches, and should be permitted to continue going forward."

The RFA-NJ official letter to Rep. LoBiondo recognized that various beach-nesting birds, including the endangered piping plover, utilize Two Mile Beach and many other beaches throughout the State. "However, we believe it is premature for the FWS to be taking a position regarding access prior to actually obtaining the property and considering public comment. The stated closure period would be excessive and inconsistent with management practices used for other beaches within the state."

RFA-NJ is confident that Two-Mile Beach and the Cold Spring Inlet Jetty can be managed to be both protective of threatened and endangered species while also providing access to land-based anglers, and the chapter Board noted in their letter to Rep. LoBiondo that they "would like to be engaged with you and your staff on this issue and we request that you include us in any upcoming meetings on the subject."

Rep. LoBiondo responded by writing "Over the past decade, I have been pleased to work with the New Jersey RFA, the Coast Guard and the Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain access to the Cold Spring Inlet Jetty for fishermen. It is no secret that the jetty is one of the best land-based fishing spots in South Jersey. As the Coast Guard determines the future of its Two-Mile Beach property, rest assured I remain committed to preserving access to the jetty for fishermen."

RFA-NJ looks forward to working with Congressman LoBiondo going forward and fighting for continued access for New Jersey's land-based fishermen.

To learn more about the RFA-NJ chapter and to get involved in NJ saltwater fishing issues, visit www.rfanj.org. (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103196713781&s=10015&e=0018nsoTdp5BmzchMnLbVwaCabspv8osRqno4m8FO0fsJhwd Le-gOo7rucBMJzH1PJDXEF4HSXWz9sf0UXzpHk3lxbaSci9NH9wXf Tyo7UsNi7quxLd3I5OLQ==)

About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA-NJ chapter mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers in New Jersey, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103196713781&s=10015&e=0018nsoTdp5BmxRCpa4-77ShVrL_mW51a9ccP5lMSN0J0qGrb2J3Wr_7nuTei9ho0V5jRN 8R6Ub_1M7fAmVeL8xCubhrj67vZL9HrI6CfS9RQGE_88GYcrTn A==).