Yamaha endorses Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management plan

KENNESAW, Ga. — Yamaha Marine Group  announced its formal endorsement of “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries.” The vision was presented by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on March 26.

Co-chaired by Maverick^® Boats president Scott Deal and Bass Pro Shops^® founder Johnny Morris, the Commission’s vision calls for commonsense saltwater fisheries management and requests that the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act specifically address the economic, social and conservation needs of recreational fishing and to differentiate those needs from commercial fishing.

“As Congress begins contemplating the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, now is the time to focus the attention of lawmakers on the fishing and boating communities’ priorities,” said Ben Speciale, Yamaha Marine Group President. “There is a long-standing issue with marine fisheries, in that federal fisheries management and that law that governs them have focused almost entirely on commercial fishing. It’s time that the recreational fishing and boating industries, as well as our country’s saltwater anglers, are acknowledged for the impact they have on the economy and the jobs they create. Yamaha strongly supports this vision’s plan for investing in the necessary resources for data collection and revamping our nation’s marine fisheries management system.”

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, 11 million Americans recreationally fish in saltwater every year, and contribute more than $70 billion to the nation’s economy, supporting more than 450,000 jobs.

The Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management has developed a list of recommendations that are largely focused on the next Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act reauthorization. The hope is that these recommendations will bring about a cultural shift in NOAA Fisheries to help ensure that saltwater recreational fishing is incorporated throughout the agency’s operations.

“A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries” recommends that reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act include:

• Establishing a national policy for recreational fishing
• Adopting a revised approach to saltwater recreational fisheries management
• Allocating marine fisheries for the greatest benefit to the nation
• Creating reasonable latitude in stock rebuilding timelines
• Codifying a process for cooperative management
• Managing for the forage base

“Once again, Yamaha Marine Group is stepping forward as an industry leader in support of this important initiative,” said Jeff Angers, President, Center for Coastal Conservation. “The Commission is taking a proactive approach in protecting recreational saltwater fishing in this country and with the endorsement from companies like Yamaha, we hope to see big changes with the upcoming reauthorization of Magnuson-Stevens.”

For more information about “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries”, please visit http://coastalconservation.us/docs/MorrisDealCommissionVision.pdf.

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