Sept. 26, 2017
Bass Anglers For Saltwater Conservation Leads To Victories For Anglers
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation, a grassroots advocacy effort developed by B.A.S.S., achieved a major milestone this month: Since its inception, more than 75,000 advocacy letters have been sent to Congress by anglers nationwide through its website, BassforSalt.com.
Launched in June 2015, anglers have regularly leveraged BassforSalt.com to contact their Congressmen about policy issues affecting the recreational fishing community.
“We want to say thank you to every angler who has expressed their concerns to Congress through BassforSalt.com over the last two years,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “This progress is only possible when you have a base of grassroots anglers consistently reaching out to their legislators. We encourage all recreational anglers to join the effort by sending pre-written letters to their Congressmen on BassforSalt.com. Together, we will protect the sport we love for our children and grandchildren.”
During the past two years, anglers nationwide have sent letters to their representatives in Washington, D.C., through BassforSalt.com in support of the Modern Fish Act, the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the extension of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper season and Everglades restoration, among other sportsmen’s issues.
Recreational fishing advocates have experienced several major victories in recent months. In June, the U.S. Department of Commerce extended the private recreational fishing season for Gulf of Mexico red snapper from a record-low of three days to 42 days. This summer, several recreational fishing leaders were appointed to key fishery management councils, including Phil Dyskow, immediate past president, Yamaha Marine, who was appointed to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. In addition, the U.S. Senate has held several hearings on recreational fishing issues during which industry leaders have been able to testify about the positive economic impact of the recreational fishing and boating communities.
“Although our 500,000 B.A.S.S. members are primarily interested in bass fishing, we know that many of them also fish in saltwater,” said B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director Gene Gilliland. “More importantly, as an organization of anglers, we need to stand together with our saltwater counterparts to advocate for public access to public fisheries. When any of us loses ground — or water — we all suffer.”
All recreational anglers are encouraged to advocate on recreational fishing issues through BassforSalt.com. It takes less than 30 seconds to send a pre-written letter to legislators through the site.