Hello Striper Fishing Friends,

Here's an important message from J.P. Fischer (Orvis Boston fishing manager) about the possible reawakening of Coastal Conservation Assn. - Massachusetts Chapter.

Please show up at the Four Points Sheraton - Logan Airport this Friday at 7:00 p.m. to learn more. The CCA leadership from Headquarters wants to hear our gripes about previous CCA efforts in Mass. in order to better organize and respond to our interests. Hope to see you this Friday evening and PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG !!! For more information email J.P. Fischer at JPFischer45@yahoo.com.

I don't know if one more organization to protect our needs and further our concerns is whats necessary. We certainly have a plethora or groups willing to take our dues to bolster thier ranks and march around saying we are here for you. I think the CCA and the RFA ought to chat each other up and join ranks.

Kinda sounds like J.P. is lookin to bolster his intake of the almighty $$$.

The CCA,the RFA,Stripers Forever.All the same.No thanks.

You want conservation?Let the keeper size fish swim more times than not.Bring a garbage with you.Call a cop when you see people breaking the law.Last thing we need is another group wanting our hard earned money.

Mods. shouldn't this be in Conservation Issues and Notices?

Sorry guys,

Another group this and another group that....I do not know what CCa has to offer but after some years on ths sidelines MSBA got active with RFA and they have came through with flying colors--delivering on a regular basis....To state that RFA, CCA and then the very little support of Stripers Forever is just a lack of knowledge....

Recent Issues of concern to MA/Local Anglers

RFA is active and has members on the ASMFC S-B Commmittee, Advisory Committee, and technical committee.....cca/Stripers forever do not

Ammendment 1 to Sea Herring Management Plan---RFA was a part of the CHOIR Coalition that was the driving force estblishing a buffer zone for midwater pair trawlers in Area 1A off our coat---CCA/Stripers Forever was not involved at all

MA Bill S-529 (Oleary Bill)---RFA has been organizing and working on negotiating with Senator O'leary directly for almost a year and has made significant inroads to changing this bill and protecting Ma Anglers from MPA's, a Salt Water License, new Enviro controlled policies for Ma fisheries---CCA/Stripers Forever were not involved

RFA had a major role in making inroads to the Menhaden Management actions of this year by working through its members on the Menhaden Advisory Panel and having key MA operatives put pressure on MA ASMFC reps to vote to limit Menhaden harvest---CCA had minor participation in the Mid Atlantic and not participation ion New England---Stripers forever---not worthy of comparison

RFA organized the group that monitored the MA Ocean Management Task force which was a failed attempt from the green to tun over fisherman's rights and institute a 5% closure to all waters in MA---CCA not involved at all

RFA is the lead organization representing the US Recreational Public at ICCATT the international Tuna Management Agency---I have never read a report of CCA even attending ICCATT

RFA has assisted local MA groups with free....no cost post card campaigns, legal eadvice from staff LAwyers, over 25 visits by their lobbyists to MA meetings, etc. etc. etc.



Local established Organizations that support the RFA
Mass Striped Bass
MAssachusettes Beach Buggy Association
RISAA
Pioneer Valley Boat & Surf
Northeast Charter Captains Association
Stellwaggen Bank Charter Boat Association
Cape Cod Charter Boat Association
Lynn Fish & Game
Plum Island Surfcasters
MArblehead Surfcasters

Is RFa perfect...nope

what org is

I just know who is and has been there for us all

BP,

Your point is well taken. I'm sure you have much more experience with this than I do. First and foremeost, I'm posting this to get more exposure for the overall cause. RFA may have done more for you and associated programs than the others. This posting is not a demand for attendance but another area of access for people who wish to further the cause. If you think it is not worth your time and effort to be heard by another group than that is your perogative. I would just state that in the end aren't we all rooting for the same thing?

BP,

Your point is well taken. I'm sure you have much more experience with this than I do. First and foremeost, I'm posting this to get more exposure for the overall cause. RFA may have done more for you and associated programs than the others. This posting is not a demand for attendance but another area of access for people who wish to further the cause. If you think it is not worth your time and effort to be heard by another group than that is your perogative. I would just state that in the end aren't we all rooting for the same thing?

Soooo what is your "cause"?

===================================
Bonefish wrote:

Here's an important message from J.P. Fischer (Orvis Boston fishing manager) about the possible reawakening of Coastal Conservation Assn. - Massachusetts Chapter.
===================================

Bonefish,

I can't make the meeting, but FWIW I've been around and around with this already with past CCA members (including myself). The consensus I inferred was that the original problem with the Massachusetts Chapter of CCA was that it was lead by fly-fishing zealots/elitists who alienated others in the group who might have preferred to fish with other gear types.

That said, I notice that that the message that you forwarded is from a manager at Orvis. As a past CCA member, I'm already not getting the warm and fuzzies. I hope I'm wrong. What assurances would there be that we would not be in for more of the same.

Best,
Mike Flaherty
Wareham, MA


"The problems we have today will not be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them."
- Albert Einstein

I just have two questions for the national organization:

Everyone knows the last Mass. Chapter went broke owing a bundle to the national organization. How much do they owe ?

And, do you expect a new chapter to assume those debts ?

Bonefish,

My point is that political action requires consitant work in developing relatioinships and trust. Becoming part of the process and participating. Why would I be interested in something new to do what is already being done for me now???

Also, in the recreational fishing community there are very few willing to get even mildly involved. Adding more organizations just further dilutes the strength of our message. When recreational fishers are split there is just too much redundancy in effort and less actual gain.

Another point is money. Pure and simple money is required to get things done. Whether that be to stipend or reimburse expenses, enable representatives to stay in the hotels where most of the action is done around meetings not in meetings. Funding is also needed for information campaigns, press releases, mailings, conference lines, etc, etc, etc. Once again the more diluted the community the weaker we are.

Another reason I am good with RFA today is that instead of forming a MA chapter asap they took some years to reach out to the established local organizations and work with them, assist them and let them make the call on local issues. This worked because they came to participate and be a part of, sharing expertice but not runing over what has existed for years.

I am far from closed minded, I am just a part of something successful now that has been around and joined the cause, not tried to take over the cause.

Bonefish,

My point is that political action requires consitant work in developing relatioinships and trust. Becoming part of the process and participating. Why would I be interested in something new to do what is already being done for me now???

Also, in the recreational fishing community there are very few willing to get even mildly involved. Adding more organizations just further dilutes the strength of our message. When recreational fishers are split there is just too much redundancy in effort and less actual gain. Another point is money. Pure and simple money is required to get things done. Whether that be to stipend or reimburse expenses, enable representatives to stay in the hotels where most of the action is done around meetings not in meetings. Funding is also needed for information campaigns, press releases, mailings, conference lines, etc, etc, etc. Once again the more diluted the community the weaker we are.

Another reason I am good with RFA today is that instead of forming a MA chapter asap they took some years to reach out to the established local organizations and work with them, assist them and let them make the call on local issues. This worked because they came to participate and be a part of, sharing expertice but not runing over what has existed for years.

I am far from closed minded, I am just a part of something successful now that has been around and joined the cause, not tried to take over the cause.

Bless you and Thank You, and those like you Patrick...I agree with all of your statement, but, I put a couple things in red in your quote that jumped off the page at me... Those of us that do what we can, and would like to participate more, but cannot due to family and work, owe people like yourself a whole pile of gratitude.

Karl,

thnk you for the kind words. I do what I do for very deep rooted reasons. It is nice when noticed and ?I just wanted to say thanks.

can yopu feelit coming :bl:

send plugs to.......oops, a bit of BM came out in me

thanks buddy