Capt_Keith
Ol'Salt
Joined: Oct 18, 2004
Posts: 1596
Location: Holden Beach NC/Myrtle Beach SC
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 Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject: MAKE SOUTH CAROLINA A "RIGHT TO FISH" STATE |
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MAKE SOUTH CAROLINA A "RIGHT TO FISH" STATE
Dont let what happened in the NorthEast happen in SC. There is a real effort going on in this country to close down the Recreational & Commercial fishing industry.
SC Senate Bill 1396 authored by Senators Chip Campsen, Yancey McGill and John Land
and
House Bill 4842 authored by Representatives Jeff Duncan and Mike Pitts
PROVES THAT OUR STATE LEADERS WANT TO HELP US.
4/22/2010
S. 1396
H. 4842
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
TO MEMORIALIZE CONGRESS TO TAKE ANY MEASURE WITHIN ITS POWER TO MITIGATE OR OVERTURN ANY EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE INTERAGENCY OCEAN POLICY TASK FORCE IF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FAIL TO ENSURE AND PROMOTE RECREATIONAL FISHING AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC WATERS, AND IF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FAIL TO INCLUDE RESPONSIBLY REGULATED RECREATIONAL BOATING AND FISHING AS NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR OUR OCEANS, COASTS, AND LAKES.
Whereas, our nation is fortunate to possess a wealth of natural resources, and we have a long history of stewardship of these resources; and
Whereas, just as a farmer carefully tends the land on which his survival depends, many of our country''s best resource stewards are those who use the resource and for whom the resource holds intrinsic value for sustenance, survival, or cultural tradition; and
Whereas, recreational fishermen are prime examples of responsible resource stewards, as they place an extremely high value on the quality and existence of our nation''s coastal waters and freshwater resources. Recreational fishermen respect our country''s marine and freshwater habitats because they know that in order for these ecosystems to sustain the aquatic life and natural wonder for which they are sought, these resources must be protected and carefully managed; and
Whereas, fishing as a pastime in our country boasts strong support, with ninety-three percent of Americans indicating they support legal recreational fishing, and it is an activity that is enjoyed by Americans across all age, gender, socioeconomic, and ethnic distinctions; and
Whereas, recreational fishermen contribute significantly to the national and regional economies through equipment and gear purchases, fuel, lodging, and food, with total related sport fishing expenditures exceeding one hundred twenty-five billion dollars and supporting over one million jobs; and
Whereas, in June of 2009, President Obama created an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend a national policy to ensure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of our oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes; and
Whereas, the Task Force has issued two reports since its creation, the Interim Report of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force and the Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning; however, the Task Force has failed to expressly recognize responsibly regulated recreational fishing as a national priority for the oceans and Great Lakes in either of these reports; and
Whereas, without its recognition as a national priority, recreational fishing opportunities could become more limited, curtailed, or even potentially eliminated. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly memorialize Congress to take any measure within its power to mitigate or overturn any Executive Order issued to implement recommendations by the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force if these recommendations fail to ensure and promote recreational fishing and access to public waters, and if these recommendations fail to include responsibly regulated recreational boating and fishing as national priorities for our oceans, coasts, and lakes.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation
We''ve got to ask all our local legislators to join those who are already supporting us!
Just find your legislator in the House and Senate here
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/housemembersd.html and
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/senatemembersd.html
If these things sound important enough to look out for, please look at H. 4842 and S. 1386 and co-sponsor them.
And tell them something like this:
Dear Senator/Representative,
Our state''s ranked #5 in the country for non-resident recreational fishing destinations, and these tourists spend $370 MILLION PER YEAR ONLY ON FISHING when they come. All recreational anglers spend $1.5 BILLION a year on RECREATIONAL FISHING in South Carolina
The Recreational Fishing Alliance has helped me to understand that my love of going fishing has a really important impact on our state''s economy and jobs. It makes perfect sense that if I can''t go fishing as much or in as many places because of new ocean management policy the federal government is creating as we speak, then all sorts of people will be hurt by that.
It''s sad that we don''t realize everybody who is affected beyond even that $1.5 billion figure that the American Sportfishing Association places on our state for annual recreational fishing expenditures. It''s more than just a direct impact statistic. These people have thousands of employees and many investments in our communities:
Boat and tackle manufacturers,
boat sales and service,
tackle stores,
marinas,
parts stores,
boat supply stores,
boat sales,
insurance agencies,
boat surveyors,
charter services,
guide services,
boat yards,
hardware stores,
and on and on.
If you take a glance at H. 4842 and S. 1386, you''ll understand what I''m talking about. So much depends on you joining the authors of these bills as a sponsor or else I wouldn''t be writing to ask this of you as a customer of the people I listed just now. Please help show that everyone in South Carolina cares a lot about recreational fishing and less about giving up our successful state management of our resources.
Thank you
Please keep it up, and if your elected official is already a sponsor or says they''ll join as a sponsor THANK THEM!
You''ve got to MAKE YOURSELF COUNT. Not just as a vote but as value to our state''s economy and heritage that people easily forget about when so many other issues are in the spotlight.
_________________
Captain Keith
Feedin Frenzy Charters
843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.feedinfrenzycharters.com
www.southcarolina-offshore.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com |
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