Efforts to Reform Federal Fisheries Law Gains Southeast Ground Support
OutdoorHub 03.08.12
Florida members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), particularly those in the Jacksonville area and along the I-95 corridor, now have the opportunity to get to the DC rally for FREE!
Raffield Fisheries is sponsoring the bus which leaves from the Gulf Coast of Florida early morning on March 20th to make the trip to DC in time for the March 21 rally. Bus organizers said a quick stopover in Jacksonville or at some point along the I-95 corridor north towards Washington will allow more Florida fishermen the opportunity to attend this historic rally at Upper Senate Park next to the Capitol.
Capt. Tom Adams of Mexico Beach Charters and chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) Forgotten Coast Chapter said the bus will leave Mexico Beach at 6:30 a.m. CST on March 20 and make its way across I-10 to pick up rally attendees in or around Jacksonville before heading north to DC. Adams said the plan is to stop about an hour short of DC to spend the night near Fredericksburg, VA (about $60 to $80 a night for twin rooms), leaving on the morning of the rally to arrive at Upper Senate Park with the rest of the fleet by 9 a.m. The Keep Fishermen Fishing rally itself begins at noon.
Adams said the bus is also carrying a newspaper editor and professional photographer to report on this national event; Florida coastal fishermen interested in a free bus trip to DC (the only expense will be for food and hotel stay the evening of the 20th) should call Tom Adams at 850-381-1313 or email 4tomadams@gmail.com. Spaces are filling up fast on this particular Florida bus!
RFA’s Georgia chapter (RFA-GA) is also coordinating a bus bound for Washington DC on March 21. RFA-GA representative Bob Black is spearheading this effort which is based out of the Savannah area, with the cost per person to cover the $5,200 expense of renting a bus at just $74 per person.
Georgia anglers who are angry and frustrated with the burdensome restrictions on coastal fisheries like red snapper and black sea bass are encouraged to take part in the Keep Fishermen Fishing rally in DC on March 21 to call for Congressional reform of the federal fisheries law which is directly responsible for the overly restrictive regulations. RFA-GA is hoping to get a good showing from local constituents to press Georgia members of Congress to get involved on behalf of coastal anglers.
To reserve your spot on Savannah, GA bus to the national rally in Washington DC on March 21, call RFA-GA’s Bob Black today at 912-223-2986 or email rabblack1@yahoo.com.
Those spearheading charter buses should remember that drivers need to contact Union Station Parking Garage Management in advance at 202-898-1950 or 202-430-2437 to coordinate parking options on the day of the event. Buses can pick-up/drop-off and park at the Union Station bus deck near the rally event, but bus parking is limited.
For more bus details and rally specifics, visit www.keepfishermenfishing.com.
