July 2012
In the News
ASA Insider is the monthly update for American Sportfishing Association members. Please scroll down for the complete document. Use the links in the right hand navigation under the specific topic area to access additional information.
For more information, contact Communications Director Mary Jane Williamson, (703) 519- 9691, x227.
A Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman
Association News
ASA Board of Directors Election Results Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2012
ICAST News
ICAST Exhibitors – Dues Payment Required Don’t Delay - Reserve Your Seat for the Industry Breakfast ICAST 2012 Online Registration and Badges Online Hotel Reservations is Now Closed Thank You ICAST 2012 Sponsors New Product Showcase Exhibitor Information “You Are Here” With the New ICAST App and Show Floor Kiosks Meet the New Member Benefit Experts at ICAST Expanded Business Seminars at ICAST 2012 ICAST 2012 Show Highlights and Events Expanded ICAST Business Seminars Schedule Mark Your Calendar for ICAST 2013, 2014 and 2015 Mark Your Calendar for the 2012 Sportfishing Summit Visit with KeepAmericaFishing During ICAST 2012
Government Affairs News
Legislation Restoring Cape Hatteras Access Passes House National Fish Habitat Conservation Act Moves Forward in Senate Sportsmen’s Package Opposed in Senate Legal Effort to Overturn No-Fishing Zones in California Continues Efforts to Introduce E15 Into the Market Moves Forward Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation Report Released Temporary Red Snapper Season Expected Fall 2012 Australia Proposes World’s Largest Marine Park Council Approves Reduction in Alaska Halibut Bycatch
ASA Board of Directors Election Results Six members of the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) board of directors were elected or re-elected to fill three regional seats and three at-large seats. Regional seats went to Kirk Immens, president, Sportco Marketing, Worthington, Ohio (re-elected), who will serve the Great Lakes Region; Chris Megan, publisher, On The Water, LLC, E. Fallmouth, Mass. who will represent the Northeast Region; and Donn Schaible, president, Wright & McGill, Co., Denver, Colo., who will serve the Inter-Mountain Region. At-Large seats went to Peter Foley, president, Boone Bait Company, Winter Park, Fla., (re-elected); Scott Frnka, vice president of merchandising, General Outdoors Division, Cabela’s, Sidney, Neb. (re- elected); and Dave Pfeiffer, president, Shimano American Corp., Irvine, Calif. Their terms begin October 1, 2012, and they will serve two-year terms. ASA’s board members may serve three, consecutive two-year terms. Click here for the press release regarding the election results.
Board of Directors to Meet at ICAST 2012 ASA’s Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 10, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center prior to ICAST’s opening day. For more information contact Joyce Anderson-Logan, x233.
ICAST Exhibitors – Dues Payment Required In order to exhibit during ICAST 2012 you must be an ASA member in good standing with the current year’s membership dues. If you have not already done so, please remit your annual membership dues immediately. Dues payment is required to set up your booth on the show floor. For more information please contact Membership Director Jill Calabria, x234.
Don’t Delay - Reserve Your Seat for the Industry Breakfast Get the inside information on the state of our industry during the State of the Industry Breakfast being held Wednesday, July 11, 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., at the Orange County Convention Center. In addition, legendary basketball coach, Bobby Knight, is this year’s guest keynote speaker. Knight was one of college basketball's most successful and innovative coaches, having won 902 NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball games. Knight remains "the object of near fanatical devotion" from his former players and Indiana University fans. Knight is also a studio analyst for ESPN during Championship Week and for coverage of the NCAA Tournament. The breakfast is being held in the convention center, Hall B, Third Floor, Room W311. Tickets are required. Tickets can be purchased by calling show registration at (301) 694-5243. Only registered exhibitors and attendees may purchase tickets.
ICAST 2012 Online Registration and Badges Online pre-registration for ICAST 2012 closes on June 29. You can still register on-site at the ICAST Registration Desk located in the central lobby, Hall C, Orange County Convention Center starting at noon on Monday, July 9. You can also pick up your badges on-site at the Express or Advance Registration counters. For ICAST exhibitors, all of your booth personnel, including temporary staff, are required to be badged in order to access the show floor. If you have any questions about ICAST registration, contact Experient/ICAST Registration at 301-694-5243. Online Housing Reservations is Now Closed Experient, our show registration and housing reservations partner, is no longer accepting ICAST hotel reservations. If you are interested in staying at one of the official ICAST hotels you will need to contact the hotel directly. The list of hotels is on the ICAST website under Registration and Housing which is linked from the Exhibitor and Attendee pages.
Thank You ICAST 2012 Sponsors ASA would like to thank its generous members who have already signed on as ICAST sponsors. Our ICAST 2012 sponsors are: Gold sponsors - Crocodile Bay Resort; Fishing Tackle Retailer; Frabill, Inc.; NBC Sports Network; Outdoor Channel; Take Me Fishing™; and WFN: World Fishing Network. Silver sponsors – Dave Mercer’s Facts of Fishing; Gemini Custom Apparel; In-Fisherman; Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corp.; North American Fisherman; and Simms Fishing Products. Bronze sponsors - Bass Minder; Classic Fishing Products; and Columbia Sportswear. This list is current as of June 25, 2012.
New Product Showcase Exhibitor Information Exhibitors submitting products in the New Product Showcase can deliver them on Monday, July 9, from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Tuesday, July 10, from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Voting begins on Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. during the New Product Showcase Preview Reception, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, and is open to buyers and credentialed media only. The awards will be presented during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by Frabill, Inc., being held Wednesday, July 11, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at the Orange County Convention Center. Exhibitors are not permitted in the Showcase during voting hours. The Showcase is open to all exhibitors and attendees beginning at 3:00 p.m., July 11, for the duration of the show.
“You Are Here” With the New ICAST App and Show Floor Kiosks ICAST and Outdoor Channel have partnered with the You Are Here system to provide a mobile app and show floor touch-screen kiosks that make it easy for buyers and media to locate and connect with exhibitors. The You Are Here system is also usable on laptops through the Internet. According to ICAST Director Kenneth Andres this new exhibitor locator makes it easy to plan a day’s activities or quickly make it to a show floor meeting on time. The new app icon is available on the ICAST website main page. Check it out now!
Meet the New Member Benefit Experts at ICAST During ICAST, ASA will launch two new exclusive member benefits: human resources and the federal manufacturers’ excise tax expert advice and support. Members frequently ask staff excise tax questions and everyone will benefit from current information regarding human resource and labor relations. The services launch with a business seminar session on each topic. Please see the Business Seminar Conference session descriptions on the ICAST website, www.ICASTfishing.org, for more information. The IRS experts, retired IRS excise tax experts Nick Tranto and Ricky Stiff, will be at the ASA Resource Center, Booth 2251, on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and Friday until noon. Human Resources expert Bill Cook will be at the ASA Resource Center on Wednesday and on Thursday morning. To schedule a private appointment, please contact Nick Tranto at [email protected] and Bill Cook at [email protected].
Expanded ICAST Business Seminars Schedule This year, we’ve expanded the ICAST business seminars schedule to provide exhibitors and buyers even more information about how to improve their business. All the seminars will be held in room 208C in the Orange County Convention Center. The schedule along with a full description of each seminar can be found on the Seminars page on ICASTfishing.org. ICAST 2012 Show Highlights and Events Other exciting highlights at ICAST 2012 are the Casting Area, Casting Pond and Lure Tank. These spaces on the show floor allow exhibitors to demonstrate their latest innovations in lures, reels and rods. ICAST also offers a wide-range of free business seminars for attendees and exhibitors that cover a wide-range of topics from human resources for small businesses to staying current with the IRS’ fishing tackle excise tax requirements. A full list and description of show highlights and events and seminars are posted on the ICAST website.
Mark Your Calendar for ICAST 2013, 2014 and 2015 ICAST 2013 – July 10 - 12, 2013, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. ICAST 2014 – July 16 – 18, 2014, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. ICAST 2015 – July 15 – 17, 2015, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
Mark Your Calendar for the 2012 Sportfishing Summit on Hilton Head Island! ASA invites its members and partners to the 2012 Sportfishing Summit scheduled for October 9 - 11, at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Mark your calendar today for the Sportfishing Summit, ASA’s annual membership meeting and premier networking event. If you are interested in being a sponsor for this year’s Summit, please contact Membership Director Jill Calabria, 234. Summit registration, housing and program information will be available on the ASA website in August.
Visit With KeepAmericaFishing™ and Meet the Pros During ICAST 2012 KeepAmericaFishing™ is the sportfishing industry’s angler advocacy campaign. During ICAST, please visit the ASA Resource Center, Booth 2251, to learn how you can help ensure that anglers continue to enjoy the sport that we are so passionate about. Don’t miss out on this once-a-year opportunity to have impact on recreational fishing. Learn how you can help to keep our waters open, clean and abundant with fish. On Thursday, July 12, stop by the ASA booth at 10:00 a.m. for a “meet and greet” with sportfishing legends Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, Shaw Grigsby, Luke Clausen and Mark Sosin. You don’t want to miss this.
Legislation to Restore Access to Cape Hatteras National Park Passes House On June 19, the House of Representatives approved legislation that will restore reasonable public access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, one of the East Coast’s premier sportfishing destinations. The Preserving Access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 232-188 margin as part of a package of public lands bills. The Preserving Access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area Act seeks to reinstate the Park Service’s Interim Protected Species Management Strategy governing ORV and pedestrian access. The bill will overturn a newly adopted, and very restrictive, ORV management plan, and a similarly onerous 2008 Consent Decree that has guided park management for the last three years. ASA encourages all members to send a message to their Senators in support of S. 2372. For more information, contact Ocean Resource Policy Director Mike Leonard, x230.
National Fish Habitat Conservation Act Moves Forward in Senate On June 20, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (S. 1201), which will authorize a national framework for conserving, restoring and enhancing fish habitats throughout the United States. S. 1201 is next up for consideration before the full Senate. ASA encourages all members to send a message to their Senators in support of the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act. For more information, contact Policy Fellow Alyssa Hausman, x244. Sportsmen’s Package Proposed in Senate On June 8, co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, Senators Jon Tester (D- Mont.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), introduced a large package of pro-sportsmen legislation in the Senate as a potential amendment to the Farm Bill. The package was later ruled non- germane and therefore was not included as a part of the negotiated amendments to be considered. ASA and others in the recreational fishing community are working with sponsors of the Sportsmen’s package to explore other possible options for introduction. The Sportsmen's Act of 2012 seeks to address several key issues that are impacting the sportfishing industry and anglers, including legislation that would prevent a federal ban of lead fishing tackle and ammunition; prevent commercial harvest of billfish; and authorize habitat restoration and conservation efforts through the National Fish Habitat Partnership. For more information, contact Policy Fellow Alyssa Hausman, x244.
Legal Effort to Overturn No-Fishing Zones in California Continues With the recent adoption of marine protected areas in California’s northern region, a vast network of no-fishing zones along California’s coastal waters is now in place. However, the legal status surrounding how these no-fishing zones were established remains a question. Coastside Fishing Club recently filed an opening brief in its appeal of an October 2011 ruling that upheld the regulations created through the Marine Life Protection Act process. After a careful review, Coastside concluded that the ruling is inconsistent with the mandates of the law as established by the legislature, and initiated the appeal process. A ruling from the appellate court is expected by year's end. For more information, read the press release or contact Ocean Resource Policy Director Mike Leonard, x230.
Efforts to Introduce E15 into Market Move Forward On June 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first misfueling mitigation plan for the introduction of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) into the marketplace. ASA’s Government Affairs Committee adopted a formal position against the introduction of E15 until a thorough review has been completed, deeming it safe for all engine types. ASA has opposed the introduction of E15 because of its significant detrimental effects on marine engine durability, performance and emissions. Additionally, an increase in ethanol allowances carries serious environmental concerns, since corn production requires significantly more water than most other crops and leads to greater runoff of nutrients and other pollutants into watersheds. For more information, visit the EPA’s webpage on E15.
Report Released on Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation The Outdoor Industry Association recently released “The Outdoor Recreation Economy,” detailing the national economic impact of outdoor recreation in the United States. The report compares the outdoor industry to several successful traditional industries, including finance and education, to demonstrate the industry’s significance as an economic driver in the United States. According to the report, outdoor recreation has an annual economic impact of $1.6 trillion and supports more than 6 million jobs. The last comprehensive study was released in 2006. For more information, read the report.
Temporary Red Snapper Season Expected Fall 2012 During its June meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested an emergency rule to provide recreational and commercial anglers the opportunity to harvest a limited number of red snapper later this year, with a goal of early fall. After reviewing the latest estimates of total removals of red snapper (dead discards) that have occurred during 2010 and 2011 under the current moratorium, the Council determined that approximately 13,000 fish could be harvested this year. The red snapper fishery has been closed in South Atlantic federal waters since January 4, 2010. For more information, read the council’s press release.
Australia Proposes to Create World's Largest Marine Park In June, Australia released its final proposed plan to create what will be the world’s largest network of marine reserves (MPAs). This proposed marine park will cover more than one million square kilometers of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including a no-take reserve of 193,000 square miles. The large proposed closures will not protect Australia’s marine environment from climate change, pollution or invasive species, but could have a devastating impact on the region’s fishing, boating and eco-tourism industries. Ten percent of Australian state and federal waters are already designated as MPAs. The official comment period on this final proposal will open in July and the final reserves are expected to be implemented in late 2012. For more information, visit the Australian government’s marine bioregional planning website.
Council Approves 15 Percent Reduction in Halibut Bycatch in Alaska On June 8, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to reduce the allowable halibut bycatch by trawlers and longliners by 15 percent. The 15 percent reduction represents the largest reduction considered by the council. The reduction will be phased in over three years with a target implementation date in 2014. Trawl halibut bycatch has not been reduced since 1986. The commercial and charter sectors in southeastern Alaska have recently been at odds over proposed changes in halibut allocation, which will not be further considered until 2013. An overwhelming percent of public comments were in favor of the bycatch reduction. For more information, read the recent Alaska Journal of Commerce article on the issue.
Message from ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman ICAST 2012 is only two short weeks away. It’s always an exciting time and the ASA staff and I are looking forward to seeing you in Orlando for the 55th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST.
The American Sportfishing Association, ASA, is the producer of ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, which annually draws thousands of representatives of the sportfishing community from across the nation and around the globe to see the latest gear, apparel and accessories and to network with friends and colleagues. We have a sold-out show floor with a wait list. Good news for our exhibitors is that buyer registration is up 25 percent and overall registration is up 23 percent over last year. We’re all looking forward to a great show.
Although it’s true that a lot of what we do at the association is geared towards producing a top-notch trade show, it isn’t all that we do as your trade association.
Succinctly put, bringing value to our members guides everything we do at ASA. As the trade association for the sportfishing industry, our efforts are geared to assisting the sportfishing industry to expand sales and participation by representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. Our members include the sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. As a voting member, ASA membership gives you a voice in the future of our industry.
However, ASA’s activities go far beyond ICAST. While you’re busy taking care of your business, we’re advocating for you by speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. The most important issues facing our industry revolve around access and participation and I assure you that we are doing everything we can to address them. Over the past two years, our angler advocacy campaign, KeepAmericaFishing™, is growing exponentially with more and more anglers and industry members getting involved in advocating for our sport. You’ll hear more about this during next month’s trade show.
We also work to ensure there are healthy and sustainable fisheries resources and increased participation in sportfishing through promotion, education and access through the industry’s support of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.
How do we keep up? With your support!
As ASA’s president and CEO, I am keenly aware of the trust you have placed in me and my staff to be your industry watchdogs. I assure you that my number one priority is to see that your membership dues are invested in programs and activities that help expand your business and increase participation in the sport. We are all in this together and I thank you for your continued membership in the American Sportfishing Association.
I’ll see you in Orlando!
Links
KeepAmericaFishing™ News Support Fish Habitat Conservation Support Hatteras Access Stop Spread of Asian Carp Protect Bristol Bay Legal Effort to Overturn No-Fishing Zones in California Continues
ICAST™ News Thank You ICAST Sponsors Check Out Highlights and Events ICAST 2012 Exhibitor List
Association News THIS WILL BE THE BOARD NEWS RELEASE
Foundation News Visit the Foundation Website Today
ASA Consumer Shows Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition Fred Hall Shows…The Ultimate Outdoor Experience