Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation (BASC), a new fisheries conservation group focused on uniting anglers across the country in defense of fishing opportunities, launched BassforSalt.com.
The new site features an all new intuitive online advocacy system that allows fishing enthusiasts to write, call, or tweet their legislators through prewritten engagements online. Initially launched by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) on June 1, BASC has now been endorsed by a wide range of marine industry organizations including the Center for Coastal Conservation, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Coastal Conservation Association, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the American Sportfishing Association.
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation is, at its core, an opportunity for fans of bass fishing and B.A.S.S. to channel their passion for all things fishing into good public policies that concern our sport,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Right now, the fisheries policy battles in Congress are focused on saltwater fishing, but tomorrow these issues could spread to freshwater lakes, rivers, or countless other fisheries we love to fish.
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation was designed to give all anglers a voice and platform by which to contact lawmakers and advocate for the preservation and growth of recreational angling, and we are proud to support it. Through this new advocacy system, we hope to create a brotherhood of anglers that defends fisheries access for all anglers, regardless of where they fish.”
By accessing the new Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation website, BassforSalt.com, fishing enthusiasts can easily fill out their constituent information, and contact their legislators on a wide variety of fisheries issues. BASC automatically identifies the appropriate legislators and provides users with talking points for a call, a prewritten letter, or even a prewritten tweet based on the user’s preferences.
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation isn’t just for bass anglers,” said Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Jeff Kriet. “Many of the anglers I know fish in both salt and freshwater. The issues our coastal fisheries currently face could easily translate into freshwater if we do not take action. In order to ensure that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same fishing experiences as the anglers of today, regardless of what they fish for or where they like to fish, we must raise a unified voice to the nation’s legislators. When the 33 million anglers in the U.S. come together for positive change, we are a force that cannot be ignored.”
The primary threat to the future of saltwater fishing is lack of access to thriving fish stocks. One example of this is the current situation with red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Once considered one of the most prized fish in the Gulf, red snapper’s federal season was a mere 10 days in 2015, despite the stock’s population nearing its highest level in decades. Those who oppose recreational fishing are driving situations exactly like that of red snapper throughout America’s oceans, and may soon bring the battle to freshwater fisheries. If anglers stand idly by while this happens, the opportunities to continue the sport could be greatly endangered.
“It is more important than ever that America’s anglers make our voices heard, and Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation will make it easy for us to do so,” said Center for Coastal Conservation President, Jeff Angers. “Whether you fish in saltwater or freshwater, I encourage you to visit BassforSalt.com today and speak out about the sport we love.”
Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation provides a simple, easy-to-use tool for anglers to stand up against misguided policies such as these. As policy battles move through our nation’s capitol, anglers and recreational fishing enthusiasts will have the ability to contact Members of Congress, the Secretary of Commerce, and even the President of the United States at the click of a mouse. To make advocating even easier, BASC will send action alerts to anglers who sign up for the newsletter, so that anglers everywhere can stay up-to-date on the policies that affect our sport
