A run down of legislation and current events surrounding conservation and the well being of our outdoors.
The Modern Fish Act charges on
The Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (a/k/a The Modern Fish Act) jumped another hurdle this week. The bill, that is seeking to update the the nation’s fisheries management system, was approved by the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. This is a big step for the resources afforded to saltwater anglers.
“Today’s action by the Commerce Committee is further evidence that Congress recognizes the economic and societal impact that recreational saltwater fishing has on our nation,” said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the ASA. “There are 11 million saltwater anglers in the U.S. who have a $63 billion economic impact annually and generate 440,000 jobs. We applaud the Senate Commerce Committee for taking this important step and call for the full Senate to quickly take action on this legislation.”
Plastic Pollution: The fight for local rights continues
The debate rages on as South Carolina House Bill 3529 reached a State Senate subcommittee today. Many groups have already stepped into the hearing to voice their opposition or support. While plastics are the focal point of the issue, many challenge the state’s right to shut down ‘home rule.’ Currently, many local businesses support their local municipalities initiatives to ban the use of plastics, foam coolers, and more. With the state seeking to take control of such decisions from the municipalities, the debate gets a bit more dynamic.
“Some municipalities and counties have already enacted single use plastic bag bans. Beaufort County and it’s four municipalities, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Surfside Beach all passed bans before January 31, 2018 and will be grandfathered in,” said Rikki Parker, a Project Manager and Legal Analyst for the Coastal Conservation League. “We’ve seen widespread support from citizens, business owners, and local elected officials. They want to make sure local governments maintain the ability to deal with plastic pollution.”
Visit to learn more on the Coastal Conservation League, here.
Trump reverses decision to hold imports of elephant tusks
Despite previously opposing the importing of elephant tusks to the United States, President Trump has reversed the hold on the practice. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service insists that the measure will be on a case-by-case basis and will provide incentives to the African countries that will support the conservation of endangered species.
“The potential benefits of trophy hunting should be carefully weighed against the problems that result from illegal and poorly managed and controlled trophy hunting,” said Richard Thomas, Global Communications Co-ordinator TRAFFIC.
While conservation efforts often start and live with sportsmen, does there need to be a bigger discussion separating the definitions and uses of the terms “hunting” and “poaching?” What do you think?
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Reasonable, but ultimately small bore stuff. New administration should be thinking about: 1. Broad based carbon tax. 2. State property tax to fund schools, enable substantial cuts to local property taxes in most municipalities and end some of the fiscal disparity problems between municipalities. Most wealthy municipalities did nothing to attain their wealth (they didn”t build the interstate off ramp. Would also facilitate better planning and economic development. 3. Replace the real estate transfer tax that funds affordable housing programs with a small tax on property insurance which would raise more money and be broader-based. freelance copywriter