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In a time where recreational anglers are facing increasing fishing restrictions along America's oceans and coasts, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) along with Congressional leaders has introduced the Freedom To Fish Act into Congress. "Free and easy access to places to fish is the single most important element of recreational fishing," said ASA President Mike Hayden. "That principle is canonized in the Freedom to Fish Act." According to the ASA press release, open access for recreational anglers is a concept embraced on virtually all federal lands and waters including wildlife refuges, national parks, wilderness areas, and the exclusive economic zone. This demonstrates that access can be maintained for recreational anglers under appropriate science-based regulatory schemes that include seasons, size limits, bag limits, and other regulations. "While I support the goal of healthy marine fisheries, I believe that restricting public access to those waters is not the appropriate vehicle for accomplishing that goal in most cases," said Senator Breaux. |
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The Freedom to Fish Act would establish guidelines and safeguards to preserve the public's right to use and enjoy these resources. "Many times recreational fishing is lumped with commercial fishing. And though recreational fishermen aren't necessarily causing the problem, they are blamed and must pay for them," said ASA member Forbes Darby.
According to the legislation, a well defined area may be closed only in the cases where recreational fishing has demonstrable adverse effects. "And if an area is to be closed, there needs to be targets and time lines as to when that area is to be reopened," said Darby. "Restricting public admission to our coastal waters should not be our first course of action, but rather our last," concluded Senator Breaux. |
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