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Recreational Fishing Alliance Pursues Freedom to Fish at State Level

The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) announced an initiative to introduce “Freedom to Fish” legislation in each coastal state. Freedom to Fish legislation seeks to prohibit the closure of areas to rod-and-reel fishing unless there is a clear indication that this type of fishing is causing a specific conservation problem and that less severe measures would not be adequate. Closures of fishing grounds in California and Florida, and the threat of closures in additional states, have spurred the effort. The RFA has active base memberships in each coastal state that have been meeting with legislators in a grassroots effort to prevail upon them for their support. Members have been working closely with legislators on the language of the bill and participated in hearings on the matter. Legislation has been introduced in California, Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island, and is expected in Delaware, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington. For more information, visit www.savefish.com and www.freedomtofish.org.

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