PrintThe Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) held its National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) Mid-Year Executive Council Meeting in Islamorada, Florida the first week of June. The purpose of the mid-year meeting is for CSF/NASC staff to engage in dialog with the NASC Executive Council (EC) about issues important to sportsmen across the nation. Nine of the ten EC members and one alternate attended. The diverse group represented an array of perspectives on sportsmen's issues from all sections of the country.
The NASC Executive Council consists of ten state legislators elected annually to provide advice to the CSF and the NASC program. The executive council is the direct link between NASC and the 35 state legislative sportsmen's caucuses it serves and provides the NASC team with insight into the legislative process that only legislators have. The mid-year meeting is also an opportunity to reflect on the individual legislative sessions and determine trends, emerging issues, and other areas of importance.
Looking west of Islamorada off Route 1, it's nearly impossible to think about California condors. But, envisioning an expansive area of the coast that could be closed to fishing is not that difficult to imagine. So, right there in the tropical Florida Keys, when it came to the wide-ranging discussion of state issues, NASC and EC members talked about the increased activity regarding lead shot bans like the legislation enacted in California that prohibits lead in ammunition used by hunters in the California condor habitat. And, discussions were held on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); an issue that has taken center stage within the fishing community with a recent CSF and ASA sponsored briefing to Congress and comments from CSF regarding the Revised Draft Framework of the National MPA System sent to NOAA. Also discussed was a plan that could potentially create a series of MPAs along the Gulf States. And, Executive Council members shared concerns over greater than expected legislative activity by the anti-hunting organizations. Bills that included broad animal cruelty language that could affect hunting were introduced in a number of states.
Among those in attendance were CSF Board Members, Phil Morlock of Shimano, Gordon Robertson from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Kevin O'Donovan of Shell. Invited guests included Rod Forth from Anheuser-Busch and Lane Stephens of the Allied Sportsmen's Association of Florida. A special thank-you goes to Bass Pro Shops and Islamorada Fish Company for hosting a terrific dinner for the group, and to Bonefish and Tarpon Unlimited (a new CSF partner) for arranging sportfishing opportunities.
