Fishermen to march on Washington DC - FryingPanTower.Com

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

This march is getting bigger and bigger

RFA is going representing recs
National Fisherman is promoting it, representing comms

The group that organize a big protest in MA is going

This could top 50,000 people

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:58 am Post subject:

FISHERMEN TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON
"United We Fish" To Seek Congressional Support On February 24

December 16, 2009 - In a historic show of solidarity, recreational and commercial fishermen will gather together on the steps of the Capitol on February 24, 2010 from noon until 3 p.m. in an organized demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the federal fisheries law which was revised in January of 2007. Coordinating the march under the flag of United We Fish, rally organizers are hoping to see a large show of force in defense of coastal communities.

"The closures keep coming and it's good to see the collective fishing communities and industries, both recreational and commercial, calling for scientific based Magnuson reform," said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). "We are all in this together." Donofrio cited recent closures of amberjack, black sea bass and red snapper fisheries as examples of what he calls a "broken" federal fisheries law.

The groups organized through United We Fish are hoping to prove to legislators just how many American anglers and business owners are truly being impacted by the overly restrictive management requirements created by MSA based on non scientific arbitrary deadlines. According to Bob Zales of the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), the time-specific deadlines mandated by MSA coupled with flawed data collection methods are forcing anglers off the water. "We fully support real science based management and the conservation of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational and commercial fishing activities, providing locally caught seafood, sustaining small family businesses, and supporting our coastal communities."

This effort is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including but not limited to the RFA, CCGF, United Boatmen of New York, United Boatmen of New Jersey, New York Sportfishing Federation, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association and the Fishing Rights Alliance. "Some people have asked 'why, it's winter'," said Donofrio who said he's gotten the required permits and expects a large crowd in DC on February 24th, regardless of weather. "We can't let seasons stop the momentum, and if we wait any longer none of us will be fishing. Many members of Congress will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us," Donofrio said.

Nils Stolpe, a consultant to the commercial fishing industry and columnist for SavingSeafood.org said that over the past three decades since the original Magnuson Act was established, fishermen have been gradually phased out of the fisheries management process, regardless of sector. "The scientists have been put in charge, and as the list of closures and restrictions up above painfully demonstrates, the Act has been turned into a weapon that is now being used against fishermen and fishing communities."

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) first introduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008 in the 110th Congress to incorporate "limited flexibility" into federal fisheries management. More than 100 fishing groups and industry members from around the country pledged their support for the legislation and the bill's 19 bipartisan coastal cosponsors, but the bill languished during the volatile economic climate in advance of the presidential elections in November of 2008.

Realizing that fisheries closures would continue without congressional intervention, in March of this year, Rep. Pallone and fellow Representatives John Adler (D-NJ), Henry Brown, Jr. (R-SC), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Barney Frank (D-MA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Frank LoBiondo (D-NJ), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and John Tierney (D-MA), reintroduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584). Twenty-five total co-sponsors have since pledged support to date including Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Peter King (R-NY), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Jo Bonner (R-AL), John Mica (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Clifford Stearns (R-FL), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL).

Following a letter-writing campaign by the RFA-NY and members of the New York Sportfishing Federation, senior Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York announced his Senate version of the bill (S.1255). Currently, the Senate bill to correct the flaws in MSA has no co-sponsors, which is something United We Fish organizers are hoping will change in February.

"New York's Senator Schumer is as concerned about his fishing constituents as he is about the fish, just as Congressmen Pallone, Frank, Jones, LoBiondo, Kennedy, Adler and others in the House of Representatives are," said Stolpe. "Hence they have formed the nucleus of a growing movement in Congress that, in spite of the editorial opinion of the New York Times and the expenditure of many millions of dollars by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is aimed at preserving recreational and commercial fishing, the lifestyles of millions of fishermen, and the tens of thousands of businesses and hundreds of fishing communities that they support," Stolpe added.

Organizers from within the recreational fishing sector are hoping to get commitment from all user groups and across varied state and regional boundaries. "This is much bigger than any one state issue or individual grievance," said RFA's Managing Director Jim Hutchinson, Jr. "Whether it's our restrictive fluke fishery in New York, the arbitrary closure of state waters for our anglers in California, or the shutdown of red snapper and amberjack down south, our community has been divided by preservationist tactics for too long. It's time to unite the clans in defense of our coastal heritage and traditions," Hutchinson said.

"We need to let Congress and NOAA know that we are the collective voice of the recreational fishing community and the collective voice does not accept the current broken management system which wreaks such havoc on all of us and our businesses," said Donofrio, adding "The goal on February 24th will be to get all of our congressional friends to attend."

"At this point Senator Schumer and his Congressional colleagues in the House deserve the thanks and the support of every one of us who fishes, whether for fun or profit," said Stolpe.

The United We Fish rally is set for 2/24/10 at noon at the Capitol. For details as they become available, sign up for the RFA's email newsletter on the homepage at www.joinrfa.org.
_________________
Capt. Dave
Continental Shelf
Morehead City, NC
800-775-7450

Life is SHORT....Fish Hard!

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

Capt D......... Check you email........ Very Happy

_________________
Craig

TACKLE.... BELOW.... WHOLESALE....

http://picasaweb.google.com/overandunderadventures

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

It is on the front page and in the forums.

Dave
_________________
Capt. Dave
Continental Shelf
Morehead City, NC
800-775-7450

Life is SHORT....Fish Hard!

Ol'Salt Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 111 Location: Apex, NC

NoExcuses
If you really want to stir things up take a page from the MD State Troopers handbook -- rolling roadblocks. 4-5 boats wide 5 deep doing exactly the speed limit. everyone will notice especially the media and nothing illegal being done.

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

they will get you for overwide Boat & Trailers
_________________
www.carolinakingfish.com
www.carolinakingfishclassic.com
World of Outlaws / Carolina Kingfish Classic
Sneads Ferry NC

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject:

hey dave how far up the potomac will the continental shelf fit!!!

Shocked

_________________
capt phil leonard 910-934-4677

www.topsailcharterfishing.com
www.eastcoastsports.com

the 4 phases of fishing
1 i just want to catch a fish
2 i want a limit of fish
3 i want to catch a big fish
4 i want to catch him under my TE

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

That would be some s*&t....

My ticket is for 155 out to 20 NM so as long as I stayed close to shore I could take all 155.

LOL!

I bet the fuel bill would be pretty high!

Dave
_________________
Capt. Dave
Continental Shelf
Morehead City, NC
800-775-7450

Life is SHORT....Fish Hard!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:03 am Post subject:

Ol'Salt Joined: Oct 01, 2008 Posts: 837

you might need a TWIC card to get that close to the Capitol.
_________________
www.captainstanman.us 1st 2005 SKA 23 Class, 2nd 2008, 14th 2009, 15th 2003, SKA Sportsman 2004. 2002 U. S. Anglers 23 Champ. 36 day 1 46 day 2 (82 lbs).SKA Atlantic 23 Class record 2 day Agg.-82.38-2005, 42.47-39.91. Onslow Bay KMT Dir., $212,484-11 yrs

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

Captain Dave; How do I go about reserving one of those 155 seats..
Let's march on guys.
I really like the idea of towing the boats into DC and creating a traffic jam they will never forget--- just not sure I can afford the fuel bill round trip.
Man I am ready to let this crowd of idiots running this country know just how feed up I m with them.!!!!! I just don't think we can afford three more years of their stupid ideas.
_________________
\"A Bad Day Fishing Beats a Good Day At Work\"

Ol'Salt Joined: Mar 02, 2005 Posts: 237

I am good to go and very willing to help drive if anyone wants a partner towing their boat. I've towed boats and race cars all over the country for 25 years, I can get in and out of DC no problemo....

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject:

..Yeah, I used to live in the DC area myself.. A few rigs being pulled at the speed limit on Rt66 in the HOV lanes (with req'd# passengers, of course) would be highly annoying. Do 395 and the beltway and you have a mess.!! Don't forget Rt50 either.. Sounds like a target rich environment to me. Laughing

I'm in.. Been wantin to visit some old friends anyways.. Cool

d:^) Schneeky..

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject:

I'm in. Anyone need a rider/driver.
Ed

2nd Mate Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Maryland

Sorry to tell yall this congress does not care what we think!!! We marched on DC with 800,000 people and we were ignored. The only way to change things is vote the FOOLS out of office.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:45 am Post subject:

Vote em out!!!

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:34 am Post subject:

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

I would like to go up with everyone as well.

I think towing a few boats up there and clogging up the major hwys would be a nice touch. You wouldn't have to bring big, heavy rigs either. A bunch of skiffs will stop up traffic just as good as a bunch of contenders and yellowfins...

1st Mate Joined: Aug 06, 2008 Posts: 75

Hell we can tow my boat as well. Anyone going from the Winston Salem area?? Need someone thats know the area.Ive always tried to stay the heck away from there. Im in.I be driving a crewcab Ford if anyone else wants to go.

	FryingPanTower.Com Forum Index -> The March on Washington	All times are GMT - 4 Hours Goto page Previous 1, 2
Page 2 of 2