Sportfishing industry commends members for leadership in helping to address challenges to recreational fishing access
Alexandria, VA – July 29, 2010 – During its annual State of the Industry breakfast, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) launched a renewed effort to unite the sportfishing industry and the country’s 60 million anglers with one united voice to keep our nation’s public waters open, clean and abundant with fish. The announcement was made during the sportfishing industry’s 53rd International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST). ASA, the trade association representing the sportfishing industry, annually hosts 7,000 representatives of the global sportfishing industry during ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. ICAST 2010 was held July 14-16, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
During the industry breakfast, attended by nearly 500 people, ASA recognized its members for their support of the association’s efforts to address issues important to the industry and to recreational anglers both nationally and on a state level, such as marine protected areas and other barriers to recreational fishing in both fresh and saltwater. Five years ago ASA recognized the need for more work in marine issues and made a substantial financial commitment to realize that ability. In large part, that effort has evolved into ASA’s new national angler advocacy brand, KeepAmericaFishing™.
“Every ASA member contributes to our efforts to assure a balanced and reasoned implementation of marine protected areas and ASA’s angler advocacy initiative, KeepAmericaFishing™,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “In addition, many ASA members have given over and above their annual dues to assure stronger program actions in these areas.”
Nussman continued. “Over the past several years, a number of ASA members have stepped forward and made additional contributions that have allowed us to be active on many fronts, especially in California’s Marine Life Protection Act implementation process and recreational fishing access restriction issues in other states.”
ASA members who have contributed $10,000 or more over the past several years, many on an annual basis, are:
- AFTCO-Bluewater – Irvine, California
- Big Rock Sports, Inc. – Newport, North Carolina
- Daiwa – Cerritos, California
- Don Coffey Group – Olathe, Kansas
- National Marine Manufacturers Association – Chicago, Illinois
- Sportfishing Association of California – San Diego, California
- Shimano American Corporation – Irvine, California
- Wright & McGill, Denver – Colorado
Nussman concluded, “ASA deeply appreciates these companies and every member who have given over and above their membership dues to ensure sportfishing’s future. For over 75 years, ASA has been advocating on behalf of the sportfishing industry, the 60 million anglers who enjoy the sport and for healthy and abundant fishery resources.”
