American anglers urged to make voices heard on two new laws
Article Media Click images to enlarge +
Keep America Fishing (KAM) – the grassroots advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association – is urging anglers to make their voices heard on two conservation bills being voted on by the US Senate Commerce Committee on August 1st.
Although banned in the rest of America, large mesh drift gillnets used off the coast of California are responsible for a huge bycatch of sportfish, including billfish and tuna and a wide range of other marine life, says KAM.
The Driftnet Modernisation and Bycatch Reduction Act would phase out the use of these indiscriminate, mile-long nets.
The Committee will also consider the Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act. The bill would give state and tribal fisheries managers better tools to protect threatened salmon and sturgeon in the Columbia River from predation by sea lions.
KAM is strongly encouraging anglers to tell their senators to vote YES on these two important pieces of legislation. KAM gives American anglers a united voice to influence political leaders in favour of recreational fishing. It can call on a network of almost one million supporters.