Indiana B.A.S.S Federation Nation
Indiana Federation Nation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2009
BASS Reporter’s Notebook: BASS is Among the Leaders in the Fight to Protect Access for 60 Million Anglers
A federal-level task force appears determined to develop a rushed policy that will ultimately govern anglers’ use of public waters, including the likely expansion of no-fishing zones into the Great Lakes. Any such recommendations will be met head-on by BASS and several other sportfishing advocacy groups.
Representatives of the sportfishing community collectively provided extensive input to the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force for its interim report. When that report was released Sept. 17, it was obvious that information was ignored. A couple of the groups’ key objections to the interim report are the lumping of recreational anglers in with the commercial fishing industry and the fact that sustainable use is passed over for preservationist policy.
“There’s a huge difference between the impacts on the resource from recreational fishing versus the commercial fishing industry,” said Chris Horton, BASS director of conservation. “One of the biggest concerns we have is that the task force doesn’t even recognize that there is a difference. They also fail to mention recreational angling as a sustainable use. The highly successful North American model of fish and wildlife management has been based on the sustainable use principle and shouldn’t be continue to be ignored by the taskforce.
“As anglers, we have been largely responsible for funding fisheries management since the early 1950’s. We are the first to be involved with any effort to restore troubled fisheries. We’ve always been supportive of healthy oceans, lakes and rivers,” said Horton.
Another big concern is the report’s inclusion of the Great Lakes, making it the first time that freshwater fisheries have been thrust into the marine sanctuaries or protected zone discussions, he said.
“Once they start on a freshwater path, it opens to further restrictions,” he said.
Besides BASS, the fight is being led by the American Sportfishing Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Shimano, Coastal Conservation Association, and Center for Coastal Conservation.
In a memo dated June 12, President Barack Obama created the task force “In order to meet our nation’s stewardship responsibilities for the oceans, coasts and Great Lakes …” according to the interim report. Obama told the task force to come back within 90 days with an interim report, then follow up with a full report. Obama gave the task force 180 days from June 12 to “…develop, with appropriate public input, a recommended framework for effective coastal and marine spatial planning.”
“Spatial planning” is a fairly broad, ambiguous term and opens the door for various interpretations and restrictive measures, said Horton. In the interim report, the meaning appears to relate to no-take marine protected areas, or MPAs, which usually ban recreational use — including sportfishing — along with commercial use.
The topic is covered extensively online at www.Bassmaster and ESPNOutdoors.com. More information can be found here and here. Another extensive piece is slated to appear in the November issue of BASS Times.
To see the interim report, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/09_17_09_Interim_Report_of_Task_Force_FINAL2.pdf.
FRIENDS AND RIVALS: Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., and Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, have a lot riding on the Oct. 16-18 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour Championship in Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
With points earned at the championship, either Martin-Wells or Robinson could emerge as the 2009 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year. Going in, they lead the 20-angler points race, Martin-Wells just 21 ticks ahead of Robinson.
Both want that AOY trophy for what it brings — a new Toyota Tundra and a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic — as well as for what it means. Both want the AOY prize so much, in fact, that it was worthwhile to them to put in 10 days scouting the championship competition water, the Red River.
By coincidence, they ended up staying at the same place in Bossier City, across a narrow driveway from each other.
So how do rivals handle such a sticky situation? They get together to watch ESPN2’s three-hour coverage of the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason. Together they witnessed Kevin VanDam take his fifth AOY title by triumphing over Skeet Reese.
“It was kind of ironic,” said Martin-Wells. “Two running for Angler of the Year sitting together watching two running for Angler of the Year.
“There are probably a lot of people who would see that as weird,” she said. “Hey, we’re both out there doing a job, having fun, and may the best lady win.”
Robinson said she saw no reason to be anything but friendly to each other. “We chatted, we watched TV a couple of nights, we had breakfast together,” she said. “I was by myself, so her husband helped me put my boat in. She gave me her phone number and told me to call them if I had any problems.”
CLASSIC NUMBERS: Four Bassmaster tournaments happening over the next four weeks will sew up berths for 12 anglers in the 40th Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21, set for Birmingham, Ala.
* 1 berth from the Oct. 16-18 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour Championship
* 2 berths from the Oct. 22-24 season finale of the Bassmaster Southern Open circuit
* 6 berths from the Oct. 28-30 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship presented by Yamaha and Skeeter
* 1 berth from the Nov. 4-6 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship operated by American Bass Anglers
* 2 berths from the Nov. 5-7 season finale of the Bassmaster Central Open circuit
The 12 qualifiers will join the 39 already on the roster: 37 through the Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings and two Bassmaster Northern Open pros.
Those anglers will complete the 51-angler field for the Classic on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., where the winner will claim $500,000.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
BASS Federation Nation Leadership
To view grant guidelines please see bottom of RBFF Press Release.
We hope some of you will attempt applying or share with your community partners. If you're not comfortable applying alone, submitting in partnership with local schools or parks and recreation programs have historically warranted extra consideration. For those involved with US Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation in support of Adventure Trailblazer Events, be certain to list those efforts.
Please circulate among your membership contact lists and provide the greatest distribution possible. Any potential financial assistance you can secure for youth programs would be a benefit and please be sure to share any successes with us so we can pass along the good news.
BASS wishes and good luck!
Boating & Fishing Education Grants Now Available from RBFF
Youth-Focused Boating, Fishing & Conservation Organizations
Encouraged to Apply
ALEXANDRIA, VA (November 4, 2009) - The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced the availability of boating and fishing education grants for 2010. RBFF's National Youth Fishing & Boating Initiative, which was created in 2008 to expand on the organization's boating and fishing education outreach efforts, is encouraging youth-focused organizations to apply by January 4, 2010.
"We're looking for high-quality education programs that give kids and their families hands-on experience with boating, fishing and conservation," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Recent research shows fishing is the number one gateway activity for introducing children and their families to the outdoors. We believe these education programs help connect children with nature and go a long way towards creating future lifetime boaters and anglers."
Key requirements of RBFF's education grant guidelines include introducing boating and fishing to minorities and underserved communities. While all applications will be considered, RBFF will give special consideration to programs that offer multiple on-the-water learning opportunities, encourage long-term involvement of participants, provide training for instructors, promote conservation and support existing RBFF partnerships. In FY 2009, more than 185,000 kids participated in RBFF's education programs.
To download the Grant Guidelines & Application and learn more about RBFF's National Youth Fishing & Boating Initiative, visit RBFF.org. Grant applications must be submitted on or before January 4, 2010 and will be announced in April 2010.
A list of the 2009 grant recipients is also available on RBFF.org.
About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers' Legacy™.
Contact: Stephanie West (RBFF), 703-778-5156, swest@rbff.org