As one of 60 million anglers in the United States, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the National Ocean and Great Lakes Policy proposal recently released by the Ocean Policy Task Force. I am very disappointed that the task force failed to recognize the significant conservation, economic and social contributions of recreational fishing and include that as a key policy component. I am also very concerned about the abbreviated 90 day timeline which forced the Task Force to rush to issue this policy document. The implications of such a policy are vast and nationwide. Therefore, the review process should be very deliberate and with more than 30 days of public review and comment.

My fishing license fees go directly towards conserving and managing fisheries in my state. Additionally, every time I purchase fishing equipment, the federal excise tax on that purchase goes to state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries conservation throughout this nation. It’s safe to say that recreational anglers have provided the lion’s share of funding for fisheries conservation and management in this country for well over 50 years. In fact, according to NOAA Fisheries, saltwater anglers contribute over $82 billion to the economy and support over half a million jobs.

How can our contributions be ignored?

I am a conservationist who loves the outdoors. I believe that recreational activities like responsibly-managed and regulated recreational fishing deserve full consideration and incorporation in the administration’s ocean and Great Lakes policy. Providing the angling public with access to public resources is no less important than conserving those resources. Therefore, I am urging you to include recreational fishing as a separate and distinct ocean and Great Lakes priority.

http://www.mssa.net/newsarticles/news10rfapushes012710.pdf - MSSA & RFA UNITE!

http://www.joinrfa.org/Press/UnitedWeFish_121609.pdf - UNITED WE FISH RALLY in DC!

Write a letter, spread the word and show up for the Rally in Washington DC:

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D- MD) 202-224-4654 202-224-8858 http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D- MD) 202-224-4524 202-224-1651 http://cardin.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Representative Frank M. Kratovil, Jr. (D - 01) 202-225-5311 202-225-0254 http://kratovil.house.gov/index.cfm?...60§iontree=360

Representative C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D - 02) 202-225-3061 202-225-3094 http://dutch.house.gov/writedutch_za.shtml

Representative John Sarbanes (D - 03) 202-225-4016 202-225-9219 http://sarbanes.house.gov/federal.asp

Representative Donna Edwards (D - 04) 202-225-8699 202-225-8714 http://donnaedwards.house.gov/index....52§iontree=452

Representative Steny Hoyer (D - 05) 202-225-4131 202-225-4300 http://hoyer.house.gov/contact/email.asp

Representative Roscoe Bartlett (R - 06) 202-225-2721 202-225-2193 http://bartlett.house.gov/Email_Roscoe/

Representative Elijah E. Cummings (D - 07) 202-225-4741 202-225-3178 https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Representative Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D - 08) 202-225-5341 202-225-0375 http://vanhollen.house.gov/Contact/

http://www.contactingthecongress.org...e=ctc&state=md

Thank you for your consideration.

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