Policy_Watch

March 2009 American Sportfishing Association Policy Watch

National Park Service Seeks to Ban Lead Use in Parks

On March 10, 2009, the National Park Service (NPS) announced its intention
to ban fishing tackle with lead components in national parks by 2010. The
announcement was made without prior consultation of the sportfishing
industry or the millions of recreational anglers who fish within the
national park system. In the normal course of events, the sportfishing and
shooting sports industries (lead component ammunition is also included in
the ban) would have been notified by the NPS about this change in policy and
would have been invited to discuss this decision with NPS staff. In a letter
and a subsequent press release, ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson
requested that the NPS withdraw the proposal and discuss the rationale for
it with the appropriate stakeholders before taking further action. During
the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held March 16 -
20, in Arlington, Va., William Shafroth, deputy assistant secretary for
Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior, told conference
attendees that the announcement applied to NPS staff and the 2010 deadline
did not apply to the general public at this time. ASA's position remains
that any change in federal policy that would affect the sportfishing
industry needs to follow appropriate rule-making guidelines.  

National Fish Habitat Conservation Act Update

In March, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act Update (NFHCA)
legislative team, of which ASA is a member, held meetings with staff members
of Senators Lieberman (I-CT), Bond (R-MO) and Casey (D-PA) to discuss
strategies for reintroduction in the 111th Congress. The foundation for the
NFHCA is the National Fish Habitat Action Plan <http://www.fishhabitat.org/>
(NFHAP). ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson sits on the NFHAP Board.

FishNet Meeting

In March, ASA hosted a FishNet meeting to discuss current fishery issues
within the conservation community. Discussion focused on offshore drilling
issues, recent and expected appointment nominations, the National Angler
Saltwater Registry, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act, marine
protected areas, Wallop Breaux reauthorization, the Clean Water Act and
Alaska's potential Bristol Bay Pebble Mine.

Wallop-Breaux Reauthorization Discussions Continue

The Angling and Boating Alliance, which is comprised of members representing
ASA, the Congressional Sportsmen <http://www.sportsmenslink.org/> 's
Foundation, the National Marine <http://www.nmma.org/>  Manufacturers
Association, the National Association
<http://www.nasbla.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1>  of State Boating Law
Administrators, the Marine <http://www.mraa.com/>  Retailers Association of
America, the Association of Marina Industries
<https://www.marinaassociation.org/> , the American Recreation
<http://www.funoutdoors.com/arc/about>  Coalition, the National Boating
Federation <http://www.n-b-f.org/> , the Association of Fish and Wildlife
<http://www.fishwildlife.org/>  Agencies, BoatUS <http://www.boatus.com/> ,
Trout Unlimited <http://www.tu.org/site/c.kkLRJ7MSKtH/b.3022897/> , the
Coastal Conservation Association <http://www.joincca.org/> , and Bass
Anglers <http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/index>  Sportsman
Society continues working to reach consensus on issues related to the
reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration
<http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/FASPORT.HTML>  and Boating Trust Fund
(Wallop-Breaux). In March meetings, members furthered their discussion
regarding strategies for Congressional outreach and reauthorization options.
The U.S. Coast Guard <http://www.uscg.mil/>  and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service <http://www.fws.gov/>  have advisory roles within the Alliance.