ASA Members Appointed To Key Fisheries And Boating Advisory Council

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Several American Sportfishing Association (ASA) members were recently appointed to the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. The secretary announced the appointments during the 2007 Sportfishing Summit, ASA’s annual business and membership meeting, held Oct. 10-12 in Sanibel, Fla.

Twenty-four appointments were made to the Council, including ASA members Thomas Dammrich, president, National Marine Manufacturers Association; John L. Morris, founder, Bass Pro Shops; Geoff Ratte, sales manager, Water Gremlin Company; and Tom Ricks, general manager, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society/ESPN Outdoors.

 ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman was also appointed to the council. Other ASA members appointed as alternates are Matthew Dunn, manager, Natural Resource and Economic Policy, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Christopher Horton, Conservation director, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society/ESPN Outdoors, and Martin McDonald, director of Conservation, Bass Pro Shops.
 
ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson was also named as alternate. The new members begin their terms in November.

“For more than 100 years, anglers have been among our nation’s foremost conservationists. It is impossible to overstate the vital role they and the sportfishing industry play in the conservation of our lands, waters and wildlife,” said Kempthorne, commending the council for its work in helping increase recreational fishing opportunities.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in our on-going commitment to promote the interests of the entire sportfishing community,” said Nussman. “I also congratulate ASA’s members who were appointed to the council and those appointed as alternates and thank the secretary for attending the 2007 Sportfishing Summit.”

The Sport Fishing and Boating Council is an advisory panel created in 1993 to offer counsel to the Secretary of the Interior on nationally significant recreational fishing and boating and aquatic resource conservation issues.

The council’s advice and recommendations play a vital role in helping the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shape the strategic focus of its Fisheries Program and improve the efficiency of grant programs delivered through its Federal Assistance Program.