From the RFA News

RFA TELLS NOAA "EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO FISH"


Call it a friendly reminder, but no means no! RFA recently reiterated its official stance on recreational catch shares, telling NOAA's catch shares task force advisor Monica Medina that limited access privilege programs (LAPP) have no place in the recreational sector. In an official letter to NOAA, RFA's Jim Donofrio said "Some groups have suggested selling fishing rights to the highest bidder, thereby assigning a dollar value for every pound of recreationally landed fish. RFA believes this approach would set a profound precedence forcing anglers to pay for fishing access. As market factors drive the cost for each fish, the recreational fishery would become cost prohibitive for many anglers to engage the fishery. The result would be a fishery reserved exclusively for the wealthy and those financially privileged enough to afford to fish. This approach is in complete violation of the Public Trust Doctrine which is the legal doctrine that protects the interests and rights of the public to free access to the nation's marine resources." Read Jim's full letter to NOAA on behalf of RFA members nationwide.


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