EFTTA ROUND-UP OF IMPORTANT WORLD FISHING NEWS

Some of the latest world fishing news for EFTTA members – including important dates for ICAST and IGFA.

New Executive Director for Atlantic Salmon Trust

Tony Andrews will step down from his position as Chief Executive of the Scottish Countryside Alliance on 31st March 2008 and take up the role of Executive Director for the Atlantic Salmon Trust.

Tony commented: "The last five years have been demanding on the countryside in just about every way, whether it is farming, country sports, tourism, conservation of the environment, rural services, affordable housing or any aspect of rural life one considers."

"I started work with the SCA in the week after the hunting ban came into effect. Since then the SCA, with all the other rural organisations, have had our work cut out to maintain an effective defence of the rural way of life.

“We have won some battles, such as widespread recognition that angling and the shooting sports are essential contributors to the economy. We have also lost some, like tail docking. But, as I leave the political lobbying arena, I am genuinely optimistic that the countryside is at last starting to be valued and taken seriously by politicians.”

During five years with the SCA, Tony developed the organisation’s political and campaigning expertise and credibility in Scotland. Tony was also responsible for the creation of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET), which has now grown to be a hugely respected charity in rural Scotland.

He will continue as non-executive chairman of SCAET.


Robert Ramsay Resigns from AFFTA

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association's Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of President Robert Ramsay, effective from March 30, 2008.

Mr Ramsay and the Board are working together to ensure a seamless transition before he pursues his plans to fulfil other career ventures.

"I've considered it a privilege to lead AFFTA during a period of tremendous building and progress," Ramsay said. "The fly fishing industry has just begun to see what's really possible from this organisation. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together and heartened by the potential that is clearly unfolding.”

Over the last two years, the association has been focused on membership and related services, which has resulted in a revenue increase of more than 60 percent and 17 percent growth in membership.

Improved coordination with the owners of the FlyFishing Retailer World Trade Expo has led to several show enhancements and business benefits that bring more value to AFFTA members. AFFTA also launched its first-ever consumer show.

"Robert should be proud of all that he has contributed to the fly fishing industry," said Alan Gnann, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Much of the progress we've made under his leadership has helped form a firm foundation for AFFTA's growth far into the future."


5th World Recreational Fishing Conference

The Fifth World Recreational Fishing Conference will take place this year from November 10th to 13th at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, Dania Beach, Florida, USA.

Fishing tackle companies from around the globe will be hosted by the IGFA at an international forum and conference, which will target the tackle industry, angling tourism and include representatives from non governmental organisations and fisheries science and management.

Discussion topics will include historical and recent trends in participation, emerging fisheries, recreational fisheries science and management, socio economics, and catch and release.

For information on the conference or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.worldrecfish.org or contact IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser at (+1) 954-924-4320 or jschratwieser@igfa.org.



ICAST 2008

ICAST 2008 is scheduled for July 16th to 18th, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, USA.

Early bookings indicate that with nearly 80 percent of the show floor sold, ICAST 2008 is on track to be the seventh consecutive sell-out year.

Companies who want to exhibit at the world’s largest sportfishing industry expo should submit an exhibit space contract as soon as possible to ensure their business is showcased to around 2,000 buyers and 350 members of the media worldwide.

EFTTA members benefit from the automatic affiliate agreement between the two associations when wishing to book a stand at ICAST.

For more information or to reserve your exhibit space, please contact Kenneth Andres, (+1) 703-519-9691 extension 231.


USA Trade Looking To Bounce Back After A Difficult Year

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) president and chief executive, Mike Nussman, has urged the trade to continue to fight against the closure of waters to recreational anglers in the USA.

The organisation, which has a close relationship with EFTTA, is working hard to help the industry recover from a tough 2007 and react to falling numbers of anglers.

Said Mike: “We continue to look at retailers to grow our membership; not just for our benefit but for theirs’ as well. We believe that we can be a voice for the entire sportfishing community, from manufacturers to retailers, but it’s up to us to invite them in. We will continue to expand our membership to better represent every sector of the industry. In unity there is strength.

“However, the conversations I’ve had with members and the 2006 survey results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicate that we are facing a challenging sales environment.

“Members are telling me that the past year was less than the best in terms of overall sales. Although fishing remains one of the most popular outdoor sports in the country with 40 million anglers, we are clearly concerned about the numbers being reported in the survey which show a decline in participation over the past five years. As we move into 2008, we’ll continue to grapple with the ongoing challenges of expanding the marketplace and ensuring access to fishing

“The task of assuring that large areas of our coastal waters are not closed to sportfishing must be accomplished. This is simply the biggest challenge we’ve faced in recent decades. Marine closures must not occur without first exhausting all fishery management and gear measures and any closure must not be contemplated without sound science as the underpinning of the decision.”
Visit http://www.asafishing.org/asa/index.html for more information about the ASA.

INTERNATIONAL SHOW DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
JISPO (Japan International Sportfishing Show) – 8th to the 10th February in Pacifico Yokohama, Japan. This is a trade show and a consumer show run by JAFTMA (Japan Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association) for which EFTTA members enjoy the benefit from the automatic affiliate agreement between the two associations. For more information visit www.jaftma.or.jp or www.fishing-show.com

CHINAFISH 17th to 19th February at the Suzhou International Expo Centre, near Shanghai, China. Visit www.chinafishshow.org for more information and remember to check your visa requirements.



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