Did You Know? Facts about Recreational Fishing: There are approximately 60 million anglers in the U.S. of which 46 million are estimated to fish in a given year. • One of every four anglers fishes in saltwater. • Fishing tackle sales grew over 16 percent in the past five years. • Since 2006, angler numbers grew 11 percent. • More Americans fish than play golf (21 million) and tennis (13 million) combined. • If fishing were a company, the amount spent by anglers to support fishing-related retail sales would rank number 51 on the Fortune 500™ list. • Fishing generated more revenue ($48 billion) than Lockheed Martin ($47 billion), Intel ($44 billion), Chrysler ($42 billion) or Google ($38 billion). • The economic activity generated by sportfishing is greater than the economy, measured in Gross State Product, of 17 states. • At more than 46 million anglers, more than twice the number of people fished in 2011 than attended every NFL game combined. These statistics were provided by Southwick Associates and are available in Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force Conservation.
Don’t Forget About ASA’s Consumer Shows
There is still time to attend one of ASA’s East and West Coast consumer shows. For more information, or to see the show highlights and events, go to www.Sportshows.com or www.FredHall.com.
ICAST and IFTD Co-locating Again This July in Orlando
ICAST and the International Fly Tackle Dealer show are again co-locating the shows from July 15 – 18, 2014, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Last year marked the first time that the shows were held in the same venue (Las Vegas Convention Center) creating a “had to be there” destination for the entire fishing community. The ICAST and IFTD teams are working hard to ensure this year’s show is even bigger and better than 2013. Go to www.ICASTfishing.org for more show information.
ICAST Connects the Global Sportfishing Industry
ICAST is the only event that connects the global sportfishing industry, showcasing the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel all under one roof. What can you expect at ICAST? Networking with individuals who share your interest in sportfishing’s future; a full-compliment of seminars with information to help you and your business; the excitement and competition of the ICAST New Product Showcase; saving money through ICAST-only specials; winning cash prizes or the grand prize of a trip for two to Crocodile Bay Resort in Costa Rica by writing orders and entering in the buyer raffles; trying out new lures at the Lure Tank; hearing about the industry during the State of the Industry Breakfast; discounts for ICAST attendees at partner hotels; and much more. For more information, go to ICASTfishing.org. Please check back often. We are adding more information each week. And attendee registration opens soon!
ICAST 2014 Exhibitor List
The current ICAST 2014 exhibitor list is now available for viewing on the ICAST website. The list is updated weekly, so please check back for updates. Click here for the list as of January 15, 2014. Links to the list are posted on the Exhibitor, Attendee and Media pages.
Visit ICASTfishing.org for Up to Date Info
Please take a few minutes to explore the information available on the ICAST website for exhibitors, media and other show attendees. ICASTfishing.org is an easy-to-navigate site that includes show registration, the current exhibitor list, floor plan, show schedule and much more. Please check back often. We are adding more information each week for exhibitors and attendees.
How do You Follow Fishing?
Who’s the King (or Queen) of Fish? What are the latest potential law changes in your state affecting sportfishing? Are there any offers on great gear? Receive the latest KeepAmericaFishing™ member news and learn about the issues that impact your sport. We have multiple channels for you to receive our information including: Facebook, Twitter – Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram! Find out more about KeepAmericaFishing™ using any of our social media options.
KeepAmericaFishing™ Behind the Counter
We are recruiting highly engaged KeepAmericaFishing™ supporters and members to be a part of an ongoing advisory panel called “Behind the Counter.” As a panel member, you’ll be asked to take an occasional survey and offer feedback on our communications, campaigns and advocacy efforts – all to help improve the KeepAmericaFishing experience. If you are interested in being a part of Behind the Counter, click here to sign up.
New Projects Awarded Funding for Gulf Oil Spill Recovery
In December 44 new restoration projects totaling $627 million were announced as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Process (NRDA) resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Over $397 million of the funding will be used for ecological projects such as improving water quality, repairing damaged habitat, restoring estuaries and creating barrier island structures. These projects, located throughout the Gulf of Mexico, are in addition to the initial $72 million in early restoration projects previously announced by the NRDA trustees. For a list of upcoming NRDA process public comment meetings go to NOAA’s website at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/what-you-can-do/public-meetings.
Budget Deal Signed into Law
In December President Obama signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. The law resolves the sequestration cuts for the next two years and stabilizes many programs that had seen severe cuts during FY 2013 and 2014 including the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBTF). The total SFRBTF had been cut by 5 percent in FY 2013. The SFRBTF is funded by the federal excise tax on recreational fishing equipment and the fuel tax on small engines. The money is apportioned to the states for sportfish restoration, boating safety, angler and boater access and other fishing and boating programs.
Australia’s Government Repeals Onerous Ban on Recreational Fishing
In December Australia’s newly elected government announced that it will repeal the management plans that proposed to close more than 500,000 square miles of marine waters to recreational fishing. Australia’s government will redraft the management plans that established the world’s largest system of marine reserve parks. ASA applauds this decision to maintain recreational saltwater fishing access, which acknowledges the reality that recreational fishing and fisheries conservation are compatible.
Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Update
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently announced that the 2014 Gulf of Mexico recreational red snapper season is expected to last 40 days, opening on June 1 and closing on July 10. The 2014 season is nearly two weeks longer than the 2013 season because the total allowable catch was increased to 11 million pounds from approximately 9 million pounds in 2013. In addition, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is currently exploring options to evaluate and possibly adjust the allocation of red snapper between the commercial and recreational sectors. ASA recently submitted comments on the various reallocation options the Council is considering.
###
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.
.