This is what I got out of the
RFA-FLA Meeting. They sold me on thier agenda, and I think they are a good proponent of fisherman, with some real solutions to our struggle for equal access to fisheries.
Jim Donofrio ( RFA Executive Director ), was very straight forward and pragmatic. Thier platform is refreshingly different than some of the other angler groups that seem hell bent on bastardizing the comm industry, instead of finding middle of the road solutions that address the needs of all user groups. Thier basic premise is to lobby the most influential politicians, to insure equal access to fisheries for recreational anglers. They are a 504c PAC, which enables them to give cash in hand to the lawmakers campaign funds. Makes sense to me......if you can't beat em join em. Thier hot priority right now is the " Magnuson Flexibility Amendment, HR 5425. its designed to ammend MSA, providing for enough flexibility to allow stocks to recover, without undue negative impact on recreational and commercial fisherman, related industries, and the communities whose economic future depends on harvesting the fish. In short it would allow stocks to recover without making fisherman extinct. In the immediate florida scope it would help put a stop to gag grouper closures, and allow for a re-evaluation of the unfair recreational tilefish and snowy grouper reductions. It sounds like a very well laid out plan. You can find out more about the particulars @
Recreational Fishing Alliance - Join the RFA
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