RFA Alert - March on Washington

[finchaser]

Fishermans Rally; Wash DC March 21, 2012
January 20, 2012

Plans set for March national fishing rally in D.C.
By Richard Gaines
Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Fri Jan 20, 2012, 03:14 PM EST


Commercial and recreational fishing interests today announced plans for a March 21 mass demonstration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to energize the push for amending the law that directs the regulation of America's fisheries, a little more than two years after the 2010 "United We Fish" rally turned up the national heat on regulatory and enforcement issues.

The 2012 "Keep Fishermen Fishing" rally was announced this morning in a release that focuses on the organizers' foes — "a handful of mega-foundations and the anti-fishing ENGOs (environmental non-government organizations) they support to drive fishermen off the water."

To do that, demonstration organizers contend, nonprofit giants such as Environmental Defense Fund have influenced the government to misinterpret the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries and Conservation Act, which was amended significantly in 1996 and 2006.

Since the first mass rally, which drew as many as 5,000 participants on Feb. 23, 2010, the fisheries policies of the Obama administration — embodied by NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, who came to office from academia and a board of director's post with EDF, have produced fierce resistance on the water and in Congress to the green-government power block.

Among the changes sought is the flexibility of time frames for rebuilding stocks, rather than clamping down fishing limits organizers say unduly harm the industry and fishing communities.

The most hotly disputed policy is the administration's effort to transform fishermen's catch into tradeable commodities through an allocation of catch shares.

The epicenter of the fight has become Massachusetts and New England, which came under a catch share regimen in 2010 and has been undergoing accelerated job loss and consolidation of control. But in the Southeast, the Gulf, the West Coast and Alaska, resistance has also continued to policies perceived to be influenced by corporate foundations and ENGO clients such EDF and the Pew Environment Group.

The Walton Foundation, founded by Wal-Mart heirs, has been a lead financier of EDF's promotion of catch share commodification.

The House of Representatives voted 231-131 in February 2011 to bar the launch of any new catch share programs, and a modified version of the ban was approved by the Senate during a continuing budget resolution.

A similar ban for fiscal 2012, however, was killed in November by parliamentary maneuvering.

As with the first rally, participants are expected from all three coasts and Alaska. The Recreational Fishing Alliance, based in New Jersey. is again handing the "red tape," permits, security and the like, according to the alliance's managing director Jim Hutchinson Jr.

"The initial Washington rally was a monumental success that helped put the plight of America's coastal fisherman and those in related businesses in the public eye," the rally announcement said. More than two dozen senators and representatives spoke at the 2010 demonstration.

"However, a continuous stream of regulatory requirements are leading to unnecessary and unacceptable restrictions in demonstrably sustainable fisheries," the announcement indicated. "As a consequence, the American public is being denied access to the food and fun of this tremendous natural resource.

"Most U.S. fisheries are in better shape biologically than they've been for a generation or more. In fact, last year NOAA Fisheries scientists announced that 84n percent of U.S. fish stocks studied for fishing activity were not experiencing overfishing as of 2010.

"However, despite the heavy sacrifices on the part of coastal fishermen," the announcement continued, "the same federal agency in charge of managing the resource has been using a broken law to mete out broken promises upon these constituents to ratchet down regulations as fisheries continue to rebuild."

Final details of the 2012 Keep Fishermen Fishing rally are being put in place, organizers said, including transportation from coastal communities across the country.

Anyone seeking more information on how they can get involved in the national rally, call 888-564-6732. For more information on the rally as it becomes available — including bus sign-up information and details from the 2010 rally — visit www.keepfishermenfishing.com (http://www.keepfishermenfishing.com/).

We will update this story here at gloucestertimes.com as more information becomes available. To have a text update regarding this story or other local Breaking News coverage, just sign up for the Times' free text-alert service on the gloucestertimes.com homepage.

For more on this story, look to tomorrow's print and online editions of the Gloucester Daily Times and gloucestertimes.com.

Richard Gaines can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3464, or at

[finchaser]

Recreational Fishing Alliance Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732
For Immediate Release February 24, 2012


BIPARTISAN SUPPORT GROWS FOR REAL MAGNUSON REFORM
Momentum Builds For March 21, 2012 Fishermen's Rally In Washington DC


(2/24/2012) The Gloucester Times (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109379023707&s=10015&e=001-xWA5oMggRzlex_mu7uq62Qr4keuGJZcWEIqmBSMpnKbD84g56V Xy0AVVEA3ZSMHd8trH93Vg5JzwGkHhO-m_jgH35dKaJ80CrM-fKcDqjxKMrhzRm5yK6EFE6WCLi5WriXfD4EgzLGE4LeaWokbbv uU1nhCvFL4iXJVMYgXp3HeNit7asLlBBYAa64Y6mdiDqreg2hz 4jqJ3w1n4X1VoA==) today reported that both of Massachusetts' U.S. senators, Democrat John Kerry and Republican Scott Brown, are anxious to speak with attendees at the second national fishermen's rally to be held in Washington DC on March 21. The Keep Fishermen Fishing (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109379023707&s=10015&e=001-xWA5oMggRxvUPRIEpaWdudPTswpDS7e8bLXErRxMVAMLtGpvJ-Y4ly6YfllzcxI7V3yIKJXa7192Fwv0FoojU-P-qstivrvaMpNZuY_ln-F1I7ZsWAIMViga8pcLu4Q) rally in March has been organized since mid-January in an effort by leaders from both the recreational and commercial fishing industries to unite under one shared message, to 'reform Magnuson now.'
Efforts to incorporate limited management flexibility in the federal fisheries law have been underway since 2007, not long after the President signed off on the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act which helped remove most abilities for regional fisheries councils to circumvent rigid statutory requirements based on arbitrary schedules, incomplete data and often random definitions.

Sen. Brown had just been officially sworn in at about the time of the original United We Fish rally two years ago today and made a surprise appearance at the rally promising to educate himself about fisheries. Since then, Brown has thrust himself into the fight with the Obama administration that intensified over the two years since the initial event drawing around 5,000 industry representatives from all four coasts. Responding to the Gloucester Times (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109379023707&s=10015&e=001-xWA5oMggRzlex_mu7uq62Qr4keuGJZcWEIqmBSMpnKbD84g56V Xy0AVVEA3ZSMHd8trH93Vg5JzwGkHhO-m_jgH35dKaJ80CrM-fKcDqjxKMrhzRm5yK6EFE6WCLi5WriXfD4EgzLGE4LeaWokbbv uU1nhCvFL4iXJVMYgXp3HeNit7asLlBBYAa64Y6mdiDqreg2hz 4jqJ3w1n4X1VoA==) piece, Sen. Brown said today via Twitter, "Looking forward to speaking at this year's fishing rally."

The effectiveness of that bipartisan (Democrat and Republican, commercial and recreational) coalition has been somewhat limited by key Democrats' unwillingness to press their own party's president for real, practical changes in fisheries regulation and management, though today's announcement by Sen. Kerry in support of the upcoming rally is indication that things may be about to change in favor of the fishermen.

"Sen. Kerry believes that additional flexibility is needed to help our fishermen," said his spokeswoman, Whitney Smith.

"(Fishermen) don't care about politics," Kerry said in an email obtained by the Gloucester Times. "They just want to be able to make a living, and Washington needs to hear them and talk to them in a way that's honest and fair."

"They don't expect Washington to solve their problems," he added, "but they sure as hell expect Washington to understand their problems and talk to them with respect."

"We would be honored to have Sen. Kerry attend the rally in support of pragmatic Magnuson reform," said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), a primary organizer and sponsor of the Keep Fishermen Fishing (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109379023707&s=10015&e=001-xWA5oMggRxvUPRIEpaWdudPTswpDS7e8bLXErRxMVAMLtGpvJ-Y4ly6YfllzcxI7V3yIKJXa7192Fwv0FoojU-P-qstivrvaMpNZuY_ln-F1I7ZsWAIMViga8pcLu4Q) rally set for March 21 at Upper Senate Park in DC. "This is a jobs issue for U.S. recreational and commercial fishing industry folks."

RFA and fellow organizers have said they are keeping a mostly open invitation for other Members of Congress who would like to address the fleet expected to arrive at Upper Senate Park in DC on the morning of March 21, a date picked specifically when Congress was in session. Bus efforts are currently underway in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida to transport fishermen to and from the event, which RFA expects to pick up momentum in the days ahead.

"We've talked personally with many fishing clubs, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region who are contacting local car rental agencies like Hertz and Enterprise to find out about van rentals to take smaller groups of 10 to 20," said Jim Hutchinson, RFA's managing director, who added "there are several bigger charter buses already set up to take large groups from some of the popular charter and headboat ports."

New York buses planned thus far leave Point Lookout and Sheepshead Bay and have been donated by captains aboard the F/V Stirs, party boats Marilyn Jean, Brooklyn VI and the Ocean Eagle as well as FishingUnited.com. In New Jersey, the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund has four buses leaving Bogan's Boat Basin and Wildwood Fishing Center. Ocean Isle Fishing Center in North Carolina has put together a bus effort in Ocean Isle Beach while Tailwalker Marine is planning to leave Georgetown, SC early on the day of the event. Meanwhile, Raffield Fisheries is organizing a bus effort out of Panama City in Florida leaving on Tuesday, March 20.

"Grassroots organizers are busy filling seats, and RFA is encouraging anglers to visit the Keep Fishermen Fishing website to get those buses packed so that we can add more in the coming days," Hutchinson said. While organizers key in on the bus efforts around the country, the Members of Congress who are interested in addressing the thousands of fishermen expected to assemble at Upper Senate Park in March are encouraged to look closely at the legislation now being addressed in the House Natural Resources Committee to reform the federal fisheries law.

"The legislators who are committed to addressing the issues vital to all of our coastal fishing regions are those who are committed to putting forth the language contained in HR3061 to help provide relief from excessive regulations being experienced in many different stocks from New England cod to Gulf red snapper, that's who we're hoping will join us on stage in March," Donofrio said.

HR3061, the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011, is sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and has the support of 14 additional bipartisan, coastal co-sponsors including Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI), Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL), Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) and Rep. Bob Turner (R-NY).

In addition to extending rebuilding timelines in certain situations (which could have a dramatic impact on the New England cod situation), HR3061 would also allow the Secretary of Commerce to suspend rigid annual catch limits and accountability measures for fish stocks where science and data is lacking, calls for socioeconomic impact studies when certain management decisions are made, and would require the National Research Council to perform another comprehensive review of the NOAA recreational data collection programs which were to have been completed as of 2009.

"This is responsible Magnuson reform that truly addresses the science and statistical deficiencies at NOAA and better balances commerce with conservation, something that our coastal fishing communities have always supported," said Donofrio. "This is about access to healthy, sustainable fisheries, a message which all fishermen should be proud to unite behind."

For more information about the rally including bus departure information, visit www.keepfishermenfishing.com (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109379023707&s=10015&e=001-xWA5oMggRxvUPRIEpaWdudPTswpDS7e8bLXErRxMVAMLtGpvJ-Y4ly6YfllzcxI7V3yIKJXa7192Fwv0FoojU-P-qstivrvaMpNZuY_ln-F1I7ZsWAIMViga8pcLu4Q).

[surfstix1963]

Thanks Bob shouldn't you be resting

[finchaser]

no back to normal just can't lift anything over 8# for 5 days

[surfstix1963]

OK Glad to hear all is well.

[DarkSkies]

no back to normal just can't lift anything over 8# for 5 days


(He wouldn't let me sit in his truck when I went down to visit him the other day, that's the exact reason he used....or maybe it
was something about the way I smelled....more on that in the "Visit to the Grouch's Cave" thread)

Thanks for posting, Fin...



Hope that some of ya's can make the trip down to Washington...they really do need support from All of us....

[cowherder]

I can't go but will send some $$ to the rfa. Good to hear you are feeling better finchaser!

[storminsteve]

They took the party boat to a posh resort and blew a 30k engine.
Appalling. They then think they can tell us what to do?:kooky:

[surfstix1963]

Yeah one of the 3 thats 90,000 just on motors and the boat seems fully loaded so it cost us some big $$$$$

[captnemo]

Reminder for the march tomorrow. We need support. I can't be there but thanks to the folks who are going.



Two years after the successful first fishermen's march on Washington, the same blend of commercial and recreational fishermen will be doing the same thing Wednesday in an effort to promote Rep. Frank Pallone's Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act (HR 3061) that's coming up before the House Resources Committee. Several Senators and representatives will be addressing the crowd being transported in buses from up and down the coast at noon in Upper Senate Park, next to the Capitol Building. For information visit keepfishermenfishing.com -- or call 888 564-6732.

[cowherder]

Sorry I have to work. Kudos to all the guys who are going!

[dogfish]

Give em hell.

[DarkSkies]

Reasons for the march....

The RFA explains it all below in easy to understand language...
Thanks to Fin for sending it in...






Recreational Fishing Alliance March 15, 2012
Open Lettter from RFA's Chairman of the Board









Greetings!

Two years ago, the recreational and commercial fishing sectors reached across the aisle to forge a unique bond on one common goal - to keep ALL of America's fishermen fishing! Rallying under the banner of United We Fish, close to 5,000 fishermen from all over the country came to Washington DC in a unified call to arms in order to maintain open access, under the law, to healthy and sustainable coastal fisheries. On Wednesday, March 21st at noon, thousands of coastal fishermen and small business owners will again meet at Upper Senate Park in Washington DC in an effort to keep fishermen fishing. In a town where two sides seldom see eye-to-eye, the unified efforts of America's fishermen will hopefully set the stage for bipartisan accord in protecting coastal jobs and maintaining access to healthy public resources. Rally attendees will travel great distances in defense of America's freedom to fish, arriving in DC next week by plane, train and automobile, with dozens of charter buses en route from states up and down the coast.







http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102181706823/img/116.jpg (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109545812817&s=10015&e=001SH5ZLFcLaubB_1foa-1Cwk2zkmSNL_UevcjYZ9uQuXfl30L6gptsYtEPL3aaH0kAe31s Tx9jxlTMdyVkQpQR61tb0xilQggO_AY9gVlJYUv9x3SPGHwQow ==)
"Why are anglers uniting with commercial fishermen?" Commercial fishermen and recreational fishermen share a unique bond - they both FISH! Billion-dollar environmental non-government organizations (ENGO's) and social engineers don't differentiate between fishing for sport or fishing for income, they see us all with the same disdain. A quick look at the California marine life protection act and efforts by ENGO's and their allies to create a network of 'no access' marine reserves along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts provide the perfect example of what can happen when fishermen don't fight together in opposition to a common enemy.
"What do you hope to accomplish by the rally?"
When the Magnuson-Stevens Act was reauthorized in 2006, it was passed in the Senate by "unanimous consent" which officially set aside standard rules of procedure in order to expedite proceedings. In our opinion, Congress made a mistake in 2006 which has cost countless American jobs and has resulted in denied access for millions of saltwater anglers - but it can be fixed. "What did the last rally accomplish?" After leaving Upper Senate Park on the afternoon of February 24, 2010, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and dozens of allies in the recreational fishing community went to work in getting Congress to focus efforts on reforming our federal fisheries law. By 2011, several pieces of Magnuson reform legislation were debated in the House Natural Resources Committee, and we are hoping that next week's rally will ensure that comprehensive Magnuson reform language is finally moved along. RFA wholeheartedly supports the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011 (H.R. 3061), which would (A) extend statutory rebuilding timelines under certain situations; (B) suspend annual catch limits and 'accountability measures' for fish stocks where science and data is lacking; (C) require socioeconomic impact studies when management decisions are made, and (D) requires the National Research Council to perform a comprehensive review of NOAA's recreational data collection program and any improvements made since the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act.

"Aren't there others speaking up for me already?" Despite what inside Beltway elitists are telling NOAA, hardcore saltwater fishermen do not want a coastal fishery based exclusively on 'catch and release' fishing. While NOAA Fisheries and some of their friends inside the Beltway try to promote the concept of 'opportunity' over 'catch' in the recreational sector, the majority of saltwater anglers who enjoy a sustainable harvest of important species like red snapper, gag grouper, flounder, sea bass, cod and haddock (to name just a few) have said enough is enough.
Saltwater anglers don't want a corporate-sponsored bigmouth bass circuit along our bays and oceans, they don't want exclusive 'catch and release' angling for flounder or reef fish, and they certainly don't want to see individual stocks of fish privatized in the form of 'fish tags' made available at auction or retail outlets. These aren't 'opportunists' willing to trade away the rights of their fellow fishermen for a few hours on the water, these are hardcore anglers who believe like the RFA does, that we have a right to fish!
Starting early next week, you'll see a lot of 'anti rally' sentiment shared by the ENGO's and bureaucrats who'll attempt to hijack this historic event, same as they did in 2010. A lot of foundation dollars are being spent on keeping the best interests of Main Street America on the back pages - but the thousands of coastal constituents traveling great distances next week in defense of America's freedom to fish will have none of that.
Fact is, the majority of fishing organizations and industry leaders in America feel as strongly as I do about fixing Magnuson to better balance commerce and conservation. RFA board members like Capt. Len Belcaro (Big Game Fishing Journal), Carl Huffman (Elec-Tra-Mate fishing reels), Jack Holmes (Southern Kingfish Association), Capt. Bob Zales, II (National Association of Charterboat Operators) and I will be there in support of this effort - and we hope you will too!
As fellow RFA board member Nick Cicero of the Folsom Corporation, Bimini Bay Outfitters and Tsunami brand tackle (a major U.S. fishing tackle manufacturer and wholesale distributor) says in a recent email blast to the tackle industry (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109545812817&s=10015&e=001SH5ZLFcLauae8csCrN-aaH41OXzbDECdYCIL_7QUx28ws_6t8v4QkIszwie3hAzpDgMcG xZGDD59z4lA4yZHynT8rdt8_UL-0XSNtwh4IzcjZu3X7mhcATsXcjYsDl7Yb_KnxHc4NaKAxh6J4l v52KJ_D3KztTX5), "if our legislators in Washington saw a united effort by anglers and industry, supported in kind by the commercial sector itself, I'm sure that Congress would better understand just how important this issue is to our nation's fishermen."
On Wednesday, March 21, 2012, we hope those who support the effort will join us on the lawn next to the U.S. Capitol in a rally to protect America's right to fish! Sincerely,







http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102181706823/img/205.jpg
Bob Healey, Jr. (Viking Group)
Chairman of the Board, Recreational Fishing Alliance

[DarkSkies]

Sent in by Fin, thanks...



RFA Calls 'Keep Fishermen Fishing' Rally A Win
Members of Congress Pledge to Fix Broken Fisheries Law
The second historic Keep Fishermen Fishing rally in Washington DC was deemed a success by organizers!
While the legislative line-up of speakers at yesterday's national fishermen's rally was impressive, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) said it was the commitments made by those powerful Members of Congress that turned the day into a win for America's coastal fishing communities. (Click here (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109566466392&s=10015&e=001fDky8Y5ysvD-n_TBVVpcT_igq9Z97X3xxScJahVjb9y1k-2PoH6GTk5CXqtmURA9q2rLY_7ZcYWkFfeHNY1kc9dUuy8XS_GN kTf_petJkVlVJg89Z5uND8l8PAvQx6mCC3xM8S8VQDaMlNvg6r Fn5egF2o5MslXg-7zZ2YPbVEJc5zWlXA8HOMZhH_6Dr4to) to see one of the earliest reports from the event by News Herald reporter Valerie Garman.)

"Key sponsors of Magnuson reform legislation which would right the wrongs contained in a broken federal fisheries law agreed to make this the year that U.S. coastal fishermen were given a fair shot at the political process," said RFA's executive director Jim Donofrio. "Everyone agrees that fish populations have surged in the past decade, but that's been at the expense of America's fishermen, which is now being officially recognized by key members of Congress."

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), sponsor of S632 in the Senate called the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act told rally attendees that great progress has been made on rebuilding coastal fisheries, but explained that a "one-size-fits-all approach to fisheries management" based on bad science won't work. "Today I am calling on Congress to begin hearings on Magnuson reform this year and I will be making a major push to see that that happens, not next year, not 2 years from now but this year," Sen. Schumer said, adding "we need to have an open and honest debate on the flexibility bill."

Schumer went on to say the he would be talking to his colleagues on the Commerce Committee about starting a debate on the reauthorization of Magnuson as soon as possible, "so that your voices can be heard, not just outside the Capitol but inside at a hearing table in the Capitol." The senator from New York even returned to Upper Senate Park a second time, after an important Congressional vote, just to greet a late bus arriving from Montauk after 2 p.m.

Other Senate supporters of the flexibility legislation speaking at Wednesday's rally included Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC).

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), primary sponsor of HR3061 on the House side called the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act told attendees that his bill would allow fisheries managers to put fish stocks on a sustainable path to a healthy size while allowing fair access and increasing transparency in the scientific process that determines quota levels.

"Current fishery rebuilding plans are much too rigid, which hurts fishing communities economically," said Pallone. "The fishing business has been a way of life for generations on the New Jersey shore and is integral to our economy. In New Jersey alone, commercial and recreational fishing supports nearly 50,000 jobs."

"I'm proud to join with recreational and commercial fishermen to fight for this bill," said Pallone, adding "I believe it would address burdensome catch limits and protect fishermen jobs, while ensuring that our fisheries remain sustainable for generations to come," he added.

HR3061, which would also require better data collection for managing recreational fishing, picked up additional support yesterday when speakers Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL) and Rep. Allen B. West (R-FL) officially signed on as co-sponsors.

"This is a freedom issue," said co-sponsor Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) on stage at Upper Senate Park on Wednesday. "You have a God-given right to participate in an activity that your fathers participated in, your grandfathers participated in, the founding fathers participated in."

Rep. Southerland who has helped champion the rights of saltwater fishermen along the Gulf Coast during his first term in DC told Florida fishermen at the rally that he was committed to working with fishermen to fix Magnuson "to make the changes to this law that is unjust."

Other co-sponsors of HR3061 addressing the crowd on Wednesday included Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), and Rep. Robert Turner (R-NY). Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ) and Rep. William Keating (D-MA) spoke with regard to their support for Magnuson reform legislation, while other congressmen like Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Rep. David Rivera (R-FL) also pledged support for the fishermen.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) also made a big splash with rally attendees by telling them "I am sorry, and I am angry that you folks have to leave jobs, take time, spend money, come here to Washington to get people to understand how deeply we feel about this issue." Sen. Kerry who last month told the Gloucester Times that additional flexibility is needed to help our fishermen added "We're here to fight for jobs and for justice."

Donofrio said more than 30 organizations and businesses from both the commercial and recreational sector spent two months preparing for the national rally at Upper Senate Park in Washington, explaining how those involved in this year's effort took a more unique strategy this time around.

"With about 5,000 attendees at the park at any one time in 2010, this year many of our rally attendees branched off to visit Senate and Congressional offices during the actual Upper Senate Park protest, which helped build support for Magnuson reform efforts inside the legislative offices," he said. "Now it's up to each of these organizations to follow-up on those dedicated efforts in Washington DC this week to make sure that Congress understands what's really important to our coastal communities."

In the days leading up to the rally, extreme environmental groups funded heavily by the Pew Charitable Trusts and its Pew Environment Group went on the offensive in attacking RFA and supporters of pragmatic Magnuson reform. In an online attack at Outdoorhub.com, Marine Fish Conservation Network's Executive Director Matt Tinning called RFA a "fringe group" like an extremist super PAC that is "underwritten by a single large donor, [and] a few self-appointed leaders hunch over their laptops and bombard us with bile."

Donofrio called the hit by Pew's newest hired henchman "a badge of honor" for the entire organization.

"The anti-fishing, anti-industry lobbyists from the preservation community are running scared because Congress is finally aware of what they've done to our coastal fishing communities with their hostile takeover attempt of our inshore waters by helping re-write the Magnuson Stevens Act in 2006." He added that House Members are aware that much of the information provided by Pew-funded lobbyists has been erroneous, based solely on doom and gloom scare tactics designed to spur their own recruitment campaigns and donation efforts. "One only needs to look at their now-proven false arguments against the use of the flexibility in the summer flounder fishery back in 2007 to see that they are dead wrong on Magnuson reform," he added.

RFA said that Pew attempted to divert attention from the rally through a late legislative effort late last week, but their effort was exposed in a March 20th article in the Gloucester Times (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109566466392&s=10015&e=001fDky8Y5ysvDTP650nWL1cjeT5gaugBlG02lBGwgzTs2c9 Q3fDBcYp4jmibRHE6cVYd8clQyA3oT0qSwqbAsyy0Cwb9eJgln 0UIQURl90tUEqaUJp5sxCB1Ug4hLdnfQF_oI67_9C5EWdvnewb uEC0O2WQbqvRA8IxJFbTH_nKPVy_UQiWHecWHha2YMk--E9SpM4_FxbJWTbC_Z3Fgh8MA==). RFA pointed out that Tinning's 11th hour online social media tirades are obviously less about fishing and more about orchestrated political grandstanding on behalf of his employers at Pew.

Prior to joining the Pew-funded Marine Fish Conservation Network last year, Tinning was Legislative Director and Vice President of External affairs at Ocean Conservancy and a lobbyist and political analyst for the Australian Government inside their Washington Embassy. Tinning was also a legislative aide to New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman. Before arriving in the United States in the 1990's, Tinning was an attorney in Sydney where he earned his degree in U.S. politics.

Five different conservation groups initially united to form the Marine Fish Conservation Network in 1992, including Ocean Conservancy, Greenpeace, National Audubon Society, National Coalition for Marine Conservation, and World Wildlife Fund. Following the 2010 fishermen's rally which helped bring the plight of the recreational and commercial fishing industry to the forefront of the fisheries debate in DC, Pew's Lee Crocket told the Washington based Roll Call newspaper that his organization had "funded advocacy groups, including the Marine Fish Conservation Network and the Ocean Conservancy," to lobby for a policy which privatizes our nation's fisheries in the name of reducing overall fishing participation.

"Congress is going to address the problems with the federal fisheries law, or more of our access rights as anglers will be stripped away while coastal tackle shops, charter and party boats, and shoreside businesses will close," Donofrio said. "It seems to me to be a pretty easy choice to make."

"I just hope those business owners, like the publishers of Sport Fishing Magazine, who have helped support, promote and encourage Pew and the Marine Fish Conservation Network through ad campaigns and partnerships are proud of what they've done to help destroy our recreational fishing industry," Donofrio added.

To see and share photos of the Keep Fishermen Fishing event, visit the Recreational Fishing Alliance Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/joinrfa (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109566466392&s=10015&e=001fDky8Y5ysvDiT3dtgRjg4qbfz0SkqRdUXaLcMTVAqaadm P5cFxghSVdUBqUsng6CO0TqpXRPeV6niQIyFiOillJ5NrorJ6K NR3eV1IrDuHDGA8PhUgXWVUYgyN8mR3qKlzq2TcC6f34=).

[DarkSkies]

Donofrio said more than 30 organizations and businesses from both the commercial and recreational sector spent two months preparing for the national rally at Upper Senate Park in Washington, explaining how those involved in this year's effort took a more unique strategy this time around.

"With about 5,000 attendees at the park at any one time in 2010, this year many of our rally attendees branched off to visit Senate and Congressional offices during the actual Upper Senate Park protest, which helped build support for Magnuson reform efforts inside the legislative offices," he said. "Now it's up to each of these organizations to follow-up on those dedicated efforts in Washington DC this week to make sure that Congress understands what's really important to our coastal communities."

In the days leading up to the rally, extreme environmental groups funded heavily by the Pew Charitable Trusts and its Pew Environment Group went on the offensive in attacking RFA and supporters of pragmatic Magnuson reform. In an online attack at Outdoorhub.com, Marine Fish Conservation Network's Executive Director Matt Tinning called RFA a "fringe group" like an extremist super PAC that is "underwritten by a single large donor, [and] a few self-appointed leaders hunch over their laptops and bombard us with bile."

Donofrio called the hit by Pew's newest hired henchman "a badge of honor" for the entire organization.

"The anti-fishing, anti-industry lobbyists from the preservation community are running scared because Congress is finally aware of what they've done to our coastal fishing communities with their hostile takeover attempt of our inshore waters by helping re-write the Magnuson Stevens Act in 2006." He added that House Members are aware that much of the information provided by Pew-funded lobbyists has been erroneous, based solely on doom and gloom scare tactics designed to spur their own recruitment campaigns and donation efforts. "One only needs to look at their now-proven false arguments against the use of the flexibility in the summer flounder fishery back in 2007 to see that they are dead wrong on Magnuson reform," he added.

RFA said that Pew attempted to divert attention from the rally through a late legislative effort late last week, but their effort was exposed in a March 20th article in the Gloucester Times (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109566466392&s=10015&e=001fDky8Y5ysvDTP650nWL1cjeT5gaugBlG02lBGwgzTs2c9 Q3fDBcYp4jmibRHE6cVYd8clQyA3oT0qSwqbAsyy0Cwb9eJgln 0UIQURl90tUEqaUJp5sxCB1Ug4hLdnfQF_oI67_9C5EWdvnewb uEC0O2WQbqvRA8IxJFbTH_nKPVy_UQiWHecWHha2YMk--E9SpM4_FxbJWTbC_Z3Fgh8MA==).
Five different conservation groups initially united to form the Marine Fish Conservation Network in 1992, including Ocean Conservancy, Greenpeace, National Audubon Society, National Coalition for Marine Conservation, and World Wildlife Fund.

Following the 2010 fishermen's rally which helped bring the plight of the recreational and commercial fishing industry to the forefront of the fisheries debate in DC, Pew's Lee Crocket told the Washington based Roll Call newspaper that his organization had "funded advocacy groups, including the Marine Fish Conservation Network and the Ocean Conservancy," to lobby for a policy which privatizes our nation's fisheries in the name of reducing overall fishing participation.


"I just hope those business owners, like the publishers of Sport Fishing Magazine, who have helped support, promote and encourage Pew and the Marine Fish Conservation Network through ad campaigns and partnerships are proud of what they've done to help destroy our recreational fishing industry," Donofrio added.

To see and share photos of the Keep Fishermen Fishing event, visit the Recreational Fishing Alliance Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/joinrfa (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1109566466392&s=10015&e=001fDky8Y5ysvDiT3dtgRjg4qbfz0SkqRdUXaLcMTVAqaadm P5cFxghSVdUBqUsng6CO0TqpXRPeV6niQIyFiOillJ5NrorJ6K NR3eV1IrDuHDGA8PhUgXWVUYgyN8mR3qKlzq2TcC6f34=).














I may anger some folks by saying what I'm about to say....
that's ok.

I may cause some to not want to associate with me or visit this site anymore....
that's ok too. :HappyWave:








*I preface my comments below by reminding folks I have been an advocate for fishermens' rights, public access, and fishing access for quite a few years now.

* I have attended meetings and fishermen rallies from DC to Ma, spending thousands of my own dollars in gas, tolls, opportunity costs and lost wages...to fight the fight that others seem to be too busy for, even to write a letter of protest every now and then, when it's handed to you so easily all you have to do is C&P and e-mail it....

* The bottom line is that there are groups like PEW and its shadowy affiliates, whose agenda is to reduce fisherman participation in fishing....and will stop at nothing to achieve that agenda...even hiring fishing Capts and people in the fishing industry as spokespersons for their various causes, one of them recently coming up as "Save the bunker"

* Another issue is that some folks have such a hatred of commercial fishermen, that in the name of unity and working against a greater enemy, they will not band together to save a resource that all of us must share, if we are to continue to use it.....my protracted battles with some commercial fishermen and commercial interests are no secret, and are well-documented in various internet forums....

* Yet I was able to put aside those differences in 2010 and march in Unity with other fishermen....at that rally,

* Despite claims that there were 5000 people, I counted the crowd several times, and came up with a number slightly less than 4000.

[DarkSkies]

My assessment:

1. Despite the RFA memo above, IMO the rally participation this time was dismal, some saying that around 1300 attended.

2. Not to criticize the rallyers, as all the folks who were there, and at the last one, and all the unsung folks who continue to work behind the scenes....deserve the support and respect from all of us, whether we agree with them or not...

they at least were trying to do something to affect the future of fishing....
:clapping: :clapping: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

3. There are upwards of 500,000 people who fish the salt waters in the NJ area, and up to a few million if you add in the whole East Coast....given those numbers, only attracting 1300 who felt passionate enough to step up....is pitiful....http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/icons/icon9.png

4. This is not a finger pointing exercise at those folks who couldn't attend...as I have also dropped out of these rallies because it became clear to me I just couldn't afford to do it any longer....I truly empathize with the folks who are limited with their choice because of this economy....I understand that completely...

5. However, there were folks who could have been there, and chose not to....
I can't point out these folks, and make judgement about them, because only an individual knows what he or she is able to do, or cannot do...and to ask some folks to make the sacrifices to attend yesterday would have been unreasonable.....

6. But what about the folks who went fishing yesterday for ling, or bottom fish....or who regularly fish for the species in question....and took the day off to go fishing?

7. What about the for-hire capts (Exempting the charter boats as these trips are booked in advance) who could have attended, but didn't?

8. What about the folks who are passionate about fishing, are retired, and spent the day in a coffee or tackle shop, BSing, and could have been on those buses?










Again, it's not up to me, to decide which category folks fall into....that's a question only you can answer about yourself.....and no one can truthfully know all the circumstances in the life of another, so it's important not to judge people individually here....

But collectively, a lot more people could have attended...
Just the same way I felt we should have had greater attendance, at the 2010 rally.

[DarkSkies]

Is it really that easy for PEW and PEW interests to conquer us?
Are we really that apathetic and unmotivated? :don't know why:

[VSdreams]

Dark these are the times we live in. Thanks for your support, Kudos to the guys who went.

[hookset]

:clapping::clapping: to the fellas that marched.

[bababooey]

X2. :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: