Freedom to Fish Act Continues to Build Momentum on Capitol Hill Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Senator John Breaux (D-LA) have introduced a Senate version of the Freedom to Fish Act (S.2244) to address the push to create no-fishing marine protected areas (MPAs), i.e. marine reserves, off our coasts. The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 1-888-JOIN-RFA Freedom to Fish Act Continues to Build Momentum on Capitol Hill Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Senator John Breaux (D-LA) have introduced a Senate version of the Freedom to Fish Act (S.2244) to address the push to create no-fishing marine protected areas (MPAs), i.e. marine reserves, off our coasts. The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 1-888-JOIN-RFA
“There is a growing movement to limit the use and enjoyment of our nation’s coastal and ocean waters for recreational fishing. Restricting public access to coastal waters should not be the first course of action, but rather the last resort,” said Senator Hutchison. “By using measurable scientific criteria, the Freedom to Fish Act will correct a system that unfairly penalizes America’s recreational fishermen and provides more effective protection of our resources.”
The Freedom to Fish Act mirrors a long-standing public policy of the Federal Government to allow public access to public lands and waters for recreational purposes consistent with sound conservation.
“In most instances, fishery resources can be maintained through a variety of management measures including, quotas, gear restrictions, minimum size requirements, bag limits, and seasonal closures, without restricting public access to places to fish,” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). “This bill establishes important standards that will protect the public from unjustified closures.”
“With Senator Hutchison and Senator Breaux introducing this bill and nine co-sponsors signed onto Jim Saxton’s bill in the House, the Freedom to Fish Act is building real momentum on Capitol Hill,” continued Mr. Donofrio. “We encourage saltwater anglers across the country to call their Senators and Representatives and ask their staff if they have signed onto the Freedom to Fish Act yet.”
“There is a growing movement to limit the use and enjoyment of our nation’s coastal and ocean waters for recreational fishing. Restricting public access to coastal waters should not be the first course of action, but rather the last resort,” said Senator Hutchison. “By using measurable scientific criteria, the Freedom to Fish Act will correct a system that unfairly penalizes America’s recreational fishermen and provides more effective protection of our resources.”
The Freedom to Fish Act mirrors a long-standing public policy of the Federal Government to allow public access to public lands and waters for recreational purposes consistent with sound conservation.
“In most instances, fishery resources can be maintained through a variety of management measures including, quotas, gear restrictions, minimum size requirements, bag limits, and seasonal closures, without restricting public access to places to fish,” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). “This bill establishes important standards that will protect the public from unjustified closures.”
“With Senator Hutchison and Senator Breaux introducing this bill and nine co-sponsors signed onto Jim Saxton’s bill in the House, the Freedom to Fish Act is building real momentum on Capitol Hill,” continued Mr. Donofrio. “We encourage saltwater anglers across the country to call their Senators and Representatives and ask their staff if they have signed onto the Freedom to Fish Act yet.”
