It has been an exciting year for the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and we continue to fight for the future of angling in the streams, rivers and lakes around the Northwest.
In the past 12 months our work had led to some amazing results that will continue to make sure there are plenty of fish for anglers looking to take the to the water. These issues impact every member of the NSIA, whether you are a major corporate sponsor, or an individual member. We need your financial support, now to continue these victories
Each legislative gain we get, radicals are quick with lawsuits to roll back the rights of sport anglers. This is why we need support to keep the gains we are making at the Oregon, Washington and Idaho legislatures. Here are just a few of the legal issues we fighting for you now:
Keeping Hatcheries Open: There is a push to close hatcheries to help preserve wild salmon. The NSIA joined with two other recreational fishing organizations to file amicus briefs outlining NSIA’s dependency on the SandyRiver hatchery production. The NSIA is committed to helping the Oregon Department of Fishing and Wildlife to keep hatcheries open, so there can be more fish for anglers in our rivers. The NSIA and volunteer anglers have made a significant investment in making that fishery work, and oral arguments on the case are expected on October 30.
Gillnet Restrictions: In Oregon and Washington, the NSIA was involved in new rules that changed the allocation of Columbia River fish for commercial gillnetters and put in motion a phasing out period of gillnet use on the main channel, shifting the commercial fishing to off-channel hatchery sites. These decisions have led two lawsuits which are taking resources from the NSIA and we need your help to continue this effort.
Lethal Take of Sea Lions: One of the most frustrating things you can face when you have a salmon or steelhead on the line, is a sea lion taking your catch. We have been directly involved in a successful lawsuit against the U.S. Humane Society to support the ODFW plan to use force against these problem predators. This is both an ESA issue and a human safety issue for sport anglers.
Spill, Baby, Spill: Thanks to NSIA and our allies’ success in Federal Court, salmon and steelhead returns are growing in the Columbia Basin. This year’s record run of fall Chinook can be directly tied to a judge’s order to spill more water for salmon. But the most recent federal plan proposes to cut spill for both spring Chinook and fall Chinook! This must be stopped and you can count on NSIA to continue our battles to recover salmon and steelhead throughout the northwest.
All four of these issues take resources and while the NSIA has a great volunteer legal team, there are still expenses with tracking and being involved in these important cases that will keep us on the rivers. We need your support to continue to be involved in issues like these, which help us keep fisherman on our rivers, streams and lakes.
By making a donation to this capital campaign, you’ll be directly contributing to the most successful outcome from these lawsuits. Additionally, you’ll be recognized for your generosity as a capital campaign supporter on the NSIA website and in the upcoming newsletter.
NSIA depends on supporters like you, who care about our industry and want to foster, promote and grow sportfishing in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
In order to continue making a difference in the future of sportfishing in our region, it is vital to initiate a capital campaign for success. So please, consider making a contribution today to keep these vital efforts moving forward.
If you have any questions about these issues, or how your donation would be put to good use, contact me at 503-631-8859 or nisaliz@aol.com.
Regards,
Liz Hamilton
Executive Director, NSIA