The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Fisheries Policy Director Chris Horton was featured in a virtual conservation seminar series, “The Modern Fish Act: What Progress has been made 1.5 Years Later?” at the 2020 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) online event sponsored by the Center for Sport Fishing Policy on Monday, July 13. Horton specifically spoke about sections 102 and 103 of the Modern Fish Act, which are Alternative Management Authority and Limited Access Privilege Programs, respectively. The Modern Fish Act was signed into law in January of 2019, and it was the first bill that solely focused on addressing the needs of saltwater recreational fishing. Horton joined several other policy experts in this virtual session in discussing the progress that has been made on the Modern Fish Act since its inception, including a staff member of the bill’s lead author, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Sen. Rodger Wicker (R-Miss).
Watch the session here!
ICAST: Western States Coordinator Joins ICAST to Discuss 30 by 30
On Monday, June 13, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Western States Coordinator, Aoibheann Cline, was a featured speaker during the conservation seminar series at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) 2020, to discuss the 30 by 30 initiative. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association, ICAST is the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, and this year was hosted virtually due to COVID-19. Cline was joined by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) President and CEO, Whit Fosburg, to discuss the 30 by 30 initiative on the state level – from California to South Carolina and Illinois, the growing national trend, and nationwide implications. Due to this year’s virtual format of ICAST, you can watch the talk “Protecting 30% of the Earth by 2030 – Sound Conservation Goal or Dangerous Pathway to Fishing Closures?” online here.
CSF’s Fisheries Policy Director Presents Seminar Session at 2020 ICAST Online
On Wednesday, July 15, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Fisheries Policy Director Chris Horton led a session at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) as part of the conservation seminar series on how CSF works directly with legislators and governors to amplify the voices of anglers and the sportfishing industry on policy issues related to aquatic resource conservation, fisheries management, and angler access, among other issues. Horton discussed recent policy efforts and the session also featured interviews with Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Mark Veasey (TX) and Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Patrick Brennan.
You can watch the session here!
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
