The Fisheries Science Improvement Act (H.R. 2304), introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) on June 23, 2011, with the support of a bi-partisan group of 18 other Members of Congress, seeks to ensure that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is required to set catch limits based on data, not on guesstimates.

Members of Congress are determined to reduce the federal debt with some of our nation’s most essential and effective fisheries management and conservation programs bearing the brunt of their budget-cutting efforts.

Beginning in 2012, the 2010 Healthcare Reform Bill requires businesses to use Form 1099 to report purchases of $600 or more to the IRS.  On February 18, 2011, the Senate voted to repeal the 1099 revision in the Healthcare Reform Bill. There are currently two similar bills waiting to be voted upon by the House of Representatives.

On July 19, 2010, the White House's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force released its final report on a new national policy with the stated goals of ensuring protection, maintenance and restoration of the nation’s oceans, coastal areas and the Great Lakes. Over the past year, the recreational fishing and boating community provided substantial input to the Task Force, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and advocated that the social, economic, public health and conservation benefits of sustainable use of our nation’s public resources receive priority consideration in the new coastal and ocean management policy.

Within the next 30 – 60 days, the Obama Administration is planning to issue a final report, and possibly other management guidance, intended to govern the management of the nation’s oceans, coastal areas and Great Lakes. The plan originated in June 2009, when President Obama created the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force.

Today, a coalition of marine recreational fishing, boating, and conservation organizations and businesses called on the Obama administration to take immediate action to address a crisis within the federal fisheries management system.

Following a number of conversations with members of the recreational fishing industry and media, this morning Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., announced her intention to “take a fresh look” at NOAA’s relationship with the recreational fishing community.

Despite the sluggish economy and cut backs in consumer spending, there are strong indications that recreational angling remains one of the largest outdoor recreational activities in the nation as well as one of the most solid industries in the United States.

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is kicking off year two of the State Direct Mail Marketing Program, a nationwide effort designed to identify and target lapsed anglers and increase fishing license sales. Thirty-two states will launch their programs over the coming weeks with two separate mailings, aiming to bring lapsed anglers back to the sport.

In January, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued its final guidance on annual catch limits. These limits are designed to restore fish stocks and end overfishing.