Mail to Senators

January         2010  

The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin

United States Senate

Hart Senate Office Bldg. – Suite 503

Washington, DC 20510

Fax 202 224-1651

Dear Senator Cardin:

I am writing you as a Maryland fisherman in support of S.1255, the long-awaited Senate companion bill to the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584) introduced earlier this year by Congressman Frank Pallone. S. 1255 was introduced by New York Senator Charles Schumer. I urge you to give serious consideration to our current situation back at home with regard to access to healthy coastal fisheries.

The last reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act in 2007 contained arbitrary deadlines on rebuilding that are not based in science for rebuilding stocks. This has restricted access for anglers and affected those businesses who rely on a robust recreational fishery. This federal law has to be amended or these businesses will continue perish while anglers sit at the dock and fish stocks maintain their continued growth to unprecedented levels.

Senator, we need your support on this legislation, and your help in passing the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 immediately. Congress currently allows for flexibility when dealing with clean water and clean air efforts, so as not to completely shut down industries or eliminate jobs, while continuing to make progress with these two very important issues. However, when Congress deals with fisheries and fishermen, they generally find it is okay to shut down fisheries on account of arbitrary deadlines, with no regard for the human resource. As a fisherman, I do not agree with this management policy.

I respectfully request that you support S.1255, and by doing so help support Maryland’s and America’s recreational fishing community.

Sincerely,

Signature  __________________________________    Name_____________________________________

Address_____________________________________

January         2010

The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski

United States Senate

Hart Senate Office Bldg. – Suite 503

Washington, DC 20510

Fax 202 224-8858

Dear Senator Mikulski:

I am writing you as a Maryland fisherman in support of S.1255, the long-awaited Senate companion bill to the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584) introduced earlier this year by Congressman Frank Pallone. S. 1255 was introduced by New York Senator Charles Schumer. I urge you to give serious consideration to our current situation back at home with regard to access to healthy coastal fisheries.

The last reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act in 2007 contained arbitrary deadlines on rebuilding that are not based in science for rebuilding stocks. This has restricted access for anglers and affected those businesses who rely on a robust recreational fishery. This federal law has to be amended or these businesses will continue perish while anglers sit at the dock and fish stocks maintain their continued growth to unprecedented levels.

Senator, we need your support on this legislation, and your help in passing the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 immediately. Congress currently allows for flexibility when dealing with clean water and clean air efforts, so as not to completely shut down industries or eliminate jobs, while continuing to make progress with these two very important issues. However, when Congress deals with fisheries and fishermen, they generally find it is okay to shut down fisheries on account of arbitrary deadlines, with no regard for the human resource. As a fisherman, I do not agree with this management policy.

I respectfully request that you support S.1255, and by doing so help support Maryland’s and America’s recreational fishing community.

Sincerely,

Signature  ________________________________                                                                                           Name_____________________________________

Address_____________________________________