Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2003

CCA and ASA Join Coalition Challenging
Summer Flounder Quota

Washington, D.C.- The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) have joined the broad coalition on the petition for rulemaking filed by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and United Boatmen seeking a more equitable allocation of the summer flounder quota.

Currently, 60% of the summer flounder quota is allocated to approximately 1,400 commercial permit holders while 40% is allocated to between 3 and 4 million recreational fishermen. The coalition is petitioning the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to allocate 50% of the summer flounder quota to the recreational fishing sector.

"We are very pleased to have ASA and CCA joining us in our efforts to establish more equity in this fishery," said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. "Considering the latest survey information shows the summer flounder stock to be at a record level, it's the perfect time to allocate 50% of the quota to the recreational sector."

Fishery managers chose to use data from the 10-year period between 1980 and 1989 to come up with the 60/40 split. This was a 10-year period when commercial landings were at or near their all-time high, while recreational landings reached their historical low. The petition, filed under the Administrative Procedure Act, outlines why the current allocation ratio is arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, and contrary to the National Standards for Fishery Conservation and Management outlined in federal law.

"The present allocation of the fishery reflects a time when the summer flounder population was declining and fish were not widely available to anglers, thus inflating the commercial share of the catch relative to the recreational share," said Fred Miller, CCA National Government Relations Committee Chairman. "The resulting, artificially low recreational allocation needs to be adjusted now that proper conservation methods have restored summer flounder."

"One of our longstanding commitments is working to promote stronger representation for saltwater recreational fishing within the fisheries commissions and councils," said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "This would ensure better consideration for anglers when allocation decisions are made. If we could turn this situation around for summer flounder, it would be a very positive indication of the progress we can make together to improve saltwater sportfishing."

In addition to the RFA and United Boatmen, the coalition includes the National Marine Manufacturers Association, New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association, Montauk Boatmen and Captains' Association, Connecticut Charter and Party Boat Association, Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, Wachapreague Charter Boat Association, Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, Delaware Captain's Association, New Jersey Marine Trades Association, and the Indian River Charter Captains Association.

"Allocating 50% of the Total Allowable Landings of summer flounder to the recreational fishing sector would inspire public confidence in the summer flounder management system which many have dismissed as unfair, inequitable and biased," said Tony Bogan of United Boatmen.

The American Sportfishing Association is the recreational fishing trade association, uniting 500 members of the sportfishing and boating industries, state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association initiates and supports efforts to advance fisheries conservation, fishing opportunities, and a profitable sportfishing industry.

The Coastal Conservation Association is an organization of strong state chapters comprised of avid recreational fishermen wTho have banded together to address conservation issues nationally and within their respective states. The outdoor sports enthusiasts and conservationists who make up the organization recognize that only a concerted, on-going effort of major proportions will save the natural resources of our coastal waters from depletion or destruction. They are dedicated to preventing that from happening through programs of education, legislation and restoration. CCA has more than 175 local chapters of organized anglers throughout 15 coastal states with a combined membership greater than 85,000. For more information, visit the CCA website, www.joincca.org, or call 1-800-201-FISH.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing sport fishermen and the sport fishing industry. 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 U.S. saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 1-888-JOIN-RFA.