Weekly 5: Sportsmen’s Act passed by U.S. House
The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every Monday on BoatingIndustry.com.
1. Sportsmen’s Act passed by U.S. House
The Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act passed the U.S. House Saturday in what several industry groups say is a victory for the recreational fishing community.
Introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Vice Chairs Reps. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Gene Green (D-Texas), the SHARE Act, also known as the Sportsmen’s Act, contains numerous provisions to improve public access to federal lands and guard against new regulations that threaten to limit access to fishing and hunting.
“Given all that is going on in the world of politics, for our nation’s sporting traditions to receive full consideration by the House of Representatives demonstrates that our Congressional leaders recognize the importance of recreational fishing and hunting to the nation,” said Scott Gudes, vice president of government affairs for the American Sportfishing Association. “The Sportsmen’s Act is one of the recreational fishing industry’s top priorities, and we are thrilled to see it one step closer to being signed into law.”
2. NMMA: Powerboat shipments up in 2015
Wholesale shipments of traditional powerboats were up slightly (0.8 percent) for NMMA’s control group of manufacturers (representing 68 percent of the market) with growth in the fiberglass outboard boat and inboard boat segments, the association reported. Corresponding dollars were up 8.7 percent. Personal watercraft shipments were up 16.9 percent YOY.
3. Q&A with new Brunswick chief Mark Schwabero
The Chicago Tribune talked to new Brunswick Corp. CEO Mark Schwabero about the state of the business and his plans for the future.
4. Historic Fort Lauderdale marina on the market
The Fort Lauderdale Boatyard and Marina, the former location of Jackson Marine has been listed for sale, The Real Deal reports.
The property has an estimated value of $18 million.
5. Two killed in Virginia marina fire
Two people were killed in a massive fire at Dozier Yachting Center in Urbanna, Va., state police there said. The cause of the fire remains part of an active arson criminal investigation, WTVR reported.
