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John, according to the following email from the RISAA/SNESA email group (Steve Medeiros), the Freedom to Fish Act has been introduced in RI:
Freedom to Fish Act Introduced in the Ocean State
Representatives Peter G. Palumbo (D-16th), Bruce B. Long (R-74th), Robert B.
Jacquard (D-17), Steven F. Smith (D-13th), and John J. McCauley, Jr. (D-1st)
have introduced the Rhode Island Freedom to Fish Act.
“Recreational fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in this
state. It adds a lot to our quality of life here in Rhode Island,” said
Representative Palumbo.
“Nearly 200,000 anglers fish in Rhode Island waters each year making a major
contribution to the state and local economies,” added Representative Smith.
“This bill establishes standards that must be met before any of our marine
waters can be closed to rod and reel fishing.”
According to a 2002 report from two independent consulting firms, 178,765
anglers fished in Rhode Island waters a total of 2,047,000 fishing days, for a
total economic output of $173 million.
(The National Marine Fisheries Service data states that over 300,000 anglers
fished in Rhode Island during 2002)
“Our ocean, bays and estuaries are some of Rhode Island’s most important natural
resources and they must be managed effectively,” said Representative McCauley.
“The marine environment can be adequately protected without unnecessarily
closing off areas to rod and reel fishermen.”
Recreational fishermen have long demonstrated a commitment to conservation
through abidance with minimum size requirements, bag limits, seasonal closures,
and the use of non-lethal rod and reel fishing gear. Rod and reel fishing is a
highly selective, inherently inefficient method of catching fish that
traditionally has not led to overfishing.
“Rhode Island has a thriving recreational fishing industry which includes
anglers, boat builders, bait and tackle shops, party and charter boat
businesses, marinas, and many others,” said Al Conti of the Rhode Island Marine
Trades Association. “This bill establishes requirements that must be met before
any of the state’s marine waters can be closed off to rod and reel fishing.”
The Rhode Island Freedom to Fish Act prohibits closures to rod and reel
fishing unless there is a clear indication that this type of fishing is causing
a specific conservation problem and that less severe measures will not be
adequate. This bill would also require periodic review of any closures, a
scientific basis for the size of any closure, and provisions to reopen areas to
rod and reel fishing whenever the basis for the closure no longer exists.
“This initiative is in response to the radical environmental movement to close
off vast areas of our oceans by creating no fishing marine protected areas
(MPAs),” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA. “Right now,
recreational and commercial fishermen in California are facing a closure of some
of their state’s best fishing grounds.”
“We’re not out to ban MPAs,” states Steve Medeiros, President of the Rhode
Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA). “We want to establish standards in
Rhode Island before any closures can be made.”
“Rhode Island fishermen are fortunate to have great friends in state House of
Representatives,” said Doug MacPherson, RISAA Legislative Chairman. “The Rhode
Island Freedom to Fish Act is a proactive bill that will enhance our ability to
go out and enjoy the great fishing opportunities we have here in Rhode Island.”
“The use of MPAs in one form or another is not new,” said Mr. Palumbo. “What is
new is the push to exclude recreational fishing with no rationale for doing so
and that is simply unacceptable.”
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