Challenge:

Our ocean and coastal resources are threatened by a growing number of proposed activities and pressures, from energy to commercial and recreational fishing. The TRCP strives to balance the multiple and competing uses while conserving the vital resources found within our oceans.

Strategy:

The TRCP engages in strategic projects that address key issues and injects the voice of the recreational angling community into the policy process. The TRCP has been successful in bringing our partners together to provide the sportsman’s perspective on marine fisheries issues.

In 2010, we convened a Blue Ribbon Panel of marine scientists and fisheries professionals to recommend improvements to federal fisheries management and recreational data collection.  During the spring of 2011, the TRCP worked with the American Sportfishing Association, the Center for Coastal Conservation and the Coastal Conservation Association to organize a series of workshops along the Gulf coast to gather input from recreational fishermen and businesses affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. That input became the basis for the report: Gulf Spill Recreational Fishing Response Group: Recommendations for Resource Recovery. The recommendations outline the consensus priorities that participants believe should be made to restore the quantity and quality of recreational fishing opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico.

In late 2011, the TRCP convened its inaugural Saltwater Media Summit held at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Fla. At the three day event, outdoor and saltwater-recreational journalists, policy experts, state and federal fisheries managers, and business leaders convened to discuss priority issues facing marine fisheries conservation and the sportfishing industry.

Finally, for the last two years, the TRCP has brought together a group of recreational fishing, environmental and conservation groups to help guide public policy surrounding saltwater angling and marine fisheries conservation. Known as the Fish Collaborative, the group is responsible for developing common-sense policy solutions to issues facing marine recreational fishing.

Action:

The TRCP continues to provide a voice for the saltwater recreational angling community in policy efforts and decision making in Washington, D.C.  We have joined a chorus of those supporting restoration efforts along the Gulf coast for passage in Congress of the RESTORE Act.  This legislation would direct 80 percent of the Clean Water Act penalties that will be assessed to BP directly to where it is needed most: the five Gulf states that were impacted by the spill.  Current efforts seek to include the RESTORE Act as amendment to the federal highway bill in hopes to ensure its passage.

The TRCP has also followed the federal damage assessment process in the Gulf and sought to inject the priorities from our 2011 report into the decision making. While these priorities have helped decision makers choose from among recovery projects before them, it is clear that more specific input from sportsmen is needed. The TRCP is now exploring a second round of workshops in the Gulf region to identify specific project ideas for submission and see that they receive the consideration they deserve.

In October 2012, we will once again host our Saltwater Media Summit.  Planning is well underway and we expect an even greater participation from media, partner organizations and sponsors.  We recognize the importance of thoughtful discussion of the policy issues affecting saltwater sportsmen and educating others about the great recreational and economic benefits provided by our marine resources.

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