B.A.S.S is pleased to announce the launch of a revamped Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation (BASC) advocacy website, www.BassForSalt.com. First introduced in 2015, the new site will continue to focus on federal marine fishing issues, relying on the voices of freshwater and saltwater anglers to preserve and grow recreational fishing.
 
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation has always been a platform for bass fishing fanatics to support their love of this great pastime,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Anglers of all backgrounds should be able to enjoy this great sport without limitation. Although most of these efforts focus on saltwater fisheries, the problems in saltwater today will be the problems in freshwater tomorrow.”

 
The refined Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation site maintains its intuitive features for contacting legislators and now features a fresh, modern layout for easier navigation. Visitors can educate themselves on all relevant issues, scroll through a call-to-action list, or catch up on industry news. Fishing enthusiasts can select a particular call-to-action and fill out their constituent information and send a letter to their elected officials on behalf of the recreational fishing industry.
 
The website launch comes at a critical time, as marine industry issues have begun to take center stage in Washington D.C. Ethanol lobbyists are pushing the Trump administration to approve year-round sale of E15, a higher ethanol blend that is harmful to boats. Most notably, both chambers of Congress are expected to vote this month on the Modern Fish Act, a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the nation’s primary marine fisheries law.

In its current form, the Magnuson-Stevens Act fails to recognize significant differences between commercial and recreational fishing. Commercial fishing management requires precise, up-to-date biological and harvest data, which many recreational fisheries lacks. This leads to the restrictions anglers see on many saltwater species, such as red snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish. The Modern Fish Act would allow alternative management tools for recreational fishing, reexamine fisheries allocations and improve recreational data collection.
 
“After more than three years of raising our voices in the fight for anglers’ rights, this is our best shot to make necessary changes to federal fisheries management policy,” said Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director. “When you consider that one in every four anglers fishes in saltwater, you realize that thousands of Americans crossover from bass fishing to saltwater fishing to enjoy the experiences our marine fisheries have to offer.”
 
You can visit BassForSalt.com today and defend your right to fish. It takes less than five minutes and your letters to Congress make a significant impact. For more information, visit BassForSalt.com or email [email protected].