Both the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Big Rock Sports are committed to the survival of the sportfishing industry and the resources that are vital for its continued development.

Recently, ASA and Big Rock Sports partnered on several industry initiatives including West Coast Salmon efforts.

As reported in this past April's ASA’s Spring Government Affairs Committee brief, numerous events have occurred over the years that have negatively impacted salmon.

“The major items have been dams and other stream impediments that have blocked spawning fish; poorly designed fish passage structure; diversions of water that have decreased stream flow and caused higher stream temperatures; diseases and parasites from higher water temperatures and low stream flows; and poor enforcement of exclusive economic zone harvesting. While other impacts such as ocean currents and temperatures impact salmon, these are less understood. West coast salmon seasons for recreational fishing were once the staple of angling opportunity from mid-California north to Alaska.In California, Oregon and Washington the recreational opportunity has been severely curtailed and California has no season and perhaps will not until 2011. ASA has traditionally supported efforts to minimize negative impacts to salmon in streams and supported adequate appropriations for various federal and state efforts. Over the years, probably no single genus has received more federal and state attention and money than the west coast salmon species.

ASA, in conjunction with Big Rock Sports, has provided money to the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association to support lobby efforts in the state of Oregon for passage of legislation that would greatly curtail or eliminate gill netting of wild salmon stocks. In addition, ASA has been asked to support a CA salmon and salmon hatchery mass marking study that would delineate wild and hatchery salmon and assist in better understanding harvest and movement of salmon. A similar effort in Oregon and Washington has been successful.”

In June of 2008, ASA and Big Rock Sports, along with American Rod & Gun, partnered to support summer flounder anglers by assisting the Save the Summer Flounder Fund (SSFF). ASA, American Rod & Gun and Big Rock Sports contributed a Mako 17-foot, center console boat COMPLETE WITH ELECTRONICS AND ACCESSORIES that was raffled as part of the SSFF fund-raising efforts. The raffle raised $25,000 for the Save the Summer Flounder Fund. The monies raised were earmarked for scientific research regarding summer flounder stock assessments and management.

Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO, says, “Rebuilding our fish stocks goes hand in hand with good fisheries management. As an association, we have been, are and will be on the side of using the most up-to-date and reliable science in order to manage our fisheries. This applies to both fresh and saltwater species.”

Mary Jane Williamson, ASA Communications Director further comments that Big Rock Sports understands very clearly that the efforts to protect species can be detrimental to the overall industry as well as to the sportfishing industry if science does not clearly show that these closures will be beneficial. Big Rock Sports and ASA are also working very closely to eliminate the prohibition of public access to public areas and natural resources.

Mary Jane stated that “ASA and Big Rock Sports will continue partnering and exploring methods were we can assist grassroots efforts for education and advocacy. In addition, support of conservation efforts that will benefit the industry are extremely vital for positive development of the sportfishing industry’s future.”