Dear “Committee”

I would like to begin by asking a question. By what Constitutional Authority are you planning on banning fishing in areas you so designate? Having a “memo” from the President means nothing compared to having Constitutional Authority … which, the last time I checked, actually limited the President and agencies such as yours from “creating” the self-appointed authority to tell people where and when they can fish in this great country. The 10th amendment DEFINES what you can control, this is not among those listed items. You people need to get a real job and leave the rest of us alone!

As one of 60 million anglers in the United States, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the National Ocean and Great Lakes Policy proposal recently released by the Ocean Policy Task Force. I am very disappointed that the task force failed to recognize the significant conservation, economic and social contributions of recreational fishing and include that as a key policy component. I am also very concerned about the abbreviated 90 day time line which forced the Task Force to rush to issue this policy document. The implications of such a policy are vast and nationwide. Therefore, the review process should be very deliberate and with more than 30 days of public review and comment.

My fishing license fees go directly towards conserving and managing fisheries in my state. Additionally, every time I purchase fishing equipment, the federal excise tax on that purchase goes to state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries conservation throughout this nation. It’s safe to say that recreational anglers have provided the lion’s share of funding for fisheries conservation and management in this county for well over 50 years. In fact, according to NOAA Fisheries, saltwater anglers contribute over $82 billion to the economy and support over half a million jobs.

How can our contributions be ignored?

I am a conservationist who loves the outdoors. I believe that recreational activities like responsibly-managed and regulated recreational fishing deserve full consideration and incorporation in the administration’s ocean and Great Lakes policy. Providing the angling public with access to public resources is no less important than conserving those resources. Therefore, I am urging you to include recreational fishing as a separate and distinct ocean and Great Lakes priority.

Thank you for your consideration.
(… and please read the 10th Amendment to the Constitution again, please?)