Congressman Adam Putnam today urged the Obama Administration to include representation from recreational fishing in discussions about new regulations that could affect access to coastal fishing areas.

A letter from Putnam and Congressman Dan Boren (D-Okla.) warns that “restricting access to waters or enacting overly broad regulations that affect recreational fishing could prove counter productive. Such measures could discourage recreational fishing and limit a tremendous source of funding for water preservation and restoration.”

The White House’s Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force is developing a new policy to regulate nation’s coastal waters.  An interim report recently issued by the task force has raised concerns that recreational fishing in fresh and saltwater could be significantly restricted.

“It’s very important that America continue to be a good steward of all our water resources,” said Putnam.  “And recreational fishing has established itself as a valuable partner in this effort.  Through the special taxes they pay, sportsmen provide hundreds of millions of dollars each year to support conservation efforts. They also act as a powerful network for educating people on caring for the natural environment. I urge the Administration to work with sportsmen and not against them.”

The letter from Putnam and Boren notes that the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is supported by taxes paid by anglers and boaters. In 2008, the fund provided $398 million to states for sport fish restoration and $126 million for coastal wetlands planning and restoration.  Millions more went to conservation grants and boater safety programs.  [Editors please note the complete text of the letter is attached.]

Since 2001, Putnam has represented Florida’s 12^th Congressional District, which includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola counties. 

Following is the letter from Congressmen Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and Dan Boren (D-Okla.):

Nancy Sutley
Chair
Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force
722 Jackson Place
Washington DC 20503-0002

Dear Chairwoman Sutley,

We are writing regarding the Interim Report of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. We appreciate the Administration’s commitment to improving the efforts of previous administrations, ensuring our Nation is a proper steward of our nation’s water resources including the Great Lakes, our coasts, and ocean environment.

Recreational fishing has established itself as a leading contributor in preserving water bodies and would be a valuable partner in crafting future ocean policy. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in fiscal year 2008 alone, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund generated $708 million in income. These funds, which are derived from taxes paid for by the recreational fishing community, provided $398 million to states for sport fish restoration, $126 million for coastal wetlands planning and restoration, and millions more for conservation grants and boater safety programs. However, restricting access to waters or enacting overly broad regulations that affect recreational fishing could prove counter productive. Such measures could discourage recreational fishing and limit a tremendous source of funding for water preservation and restoration.

As you consider a marine spatial planning framework, we urge you to include representatives of the recreational fishing community in any new ocean governance structure. While marine spatial planning can be a valuable method of preserving ocean environments, we are concerned about the possibility that such planning could place restrictions or unnecessary burdens on the ability of the public to enjoy these public resources.

Furthermore, the inclusion of representatives of the recreational fishing community could greatly assist with many of the task force’s stated objectives. For example, with more than 13 million saltwater anglers in the United States, these groups form an effective network for better educating the public and coordinating local support for ocean policies. 

Finally, it is important to note the recreational fishing community has a vested interest in maintaining healthy fish stocks, and therefore healthy ocean environments. The Task Force should welcome the participation of recreational anglers and seek their support in ensuring the protection, maintenance, and restoration of ocean health.

We hope to work with you and the Task Force to ensure that the recreational fishing community is appropriately represented.

Sincerely,

Adam Putnam
Member of Congress

Dan Boren
Member of Congress