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I am not happy with the way things are going for the recreational fisherman. I was thinking of joining the The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). (http://www.joinrfa.org/index2.html)
I have heard better things about them than other groups like the CCA.
I just wanted feed back from the members to see what you guys think. It may be a losing battle, but we have to do something.
I've been a member of the RFA for several years now and I think that it is probably one of the better organizations for fisherman to join.* It would be nice if they had the same kind of numbers and membership strength as the NRA, maybe thay would be able to get more done, but without the numbers of members that the NRA has it's quite an uphill battle.* The amount that it cost to join, when you look at what we spend on our sport as a whole, is insignificant. So why not? It can only help.* Jim Donifrio from the RFA spoke at our fishing club last year and he was really a sincere advocate for salt water fisherman.
RFA is a great organization. I have been a member for several years. The only battle that is lost is one that is not fought. We ... recreational fisherman need to pool our efforts to make things better and ... "fair". No one can hurt a saltwater fishery by using a rod and reel. {and I should know}. I urge you to join and spread the word. Good luck in the upcoming season.
Go to http://www.joinrfa.org/index2.html
I've been a member ~4 years. RFA lobbies. They get to the people making the laws. Annual dues are equal in cost to: One day's bait, a lunch, a tank of gas, a case of good beer... I think it's some of my best spent money. I'm also a member of the PA chapter because if we all yell, McGreevy and the Feds might hear us.
Can anyone tell me why there is NO NY chapter for the RFA? And what happened in California, where they do have a chapter and still lost to the MPA's?
Please understand that I am NOT trying to bash or intimate that there is anythng wrong with the RFA or any other organization.
I don't even care about the $35! Hell, if I could be comfortable in the fact that it WOULD make a difference I'd pay $100!
But, I am concerned about the fact that almost each org. seems to have different agendas. When you get down to brass tacks, IMO, they should all be the same, whether is is a group of Commercials, Recreationals, Party boat Owners, Trade members, etc. It's all the same "enemies" (PETA, Ocean Conservancy, etc) that we are battling.
Can somebody give me a clue why we (the "Fisherman") are all fighting the same enemy as well ourselves?
__________________
There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
Been a member for 4-5 years now. They seem to be fighting for our right to fish and have logical limit imposed. Their biggest fight right now is to get the freedom to fish act put into law. It's an up hill battle, but if they get this one passed then a lot of the other smaller agendas will be covered by the act... Check it out and you might be more inclined to join... I've never seen them suport anything I wouldn't support myself. Not too many groups you can say that about....
Hoo-King'em,
Scott
I have been a member for many years. Yes the RFA has lost many battles. The three yellowfin limit is one that really hurt. They started as an east cost organization; but they have put some punch into work for the recreational fisherman across the nation. I say join; than you can complain about they do and don't do. I have a rule "you want to fish on my boat you have to be a member". In one trip to the "edge" we are going to burn over $300 in fuel, $150 in bait and another $100 for stuff. What's $25 dollars more per man. The second trip I don't hit you up for the $25!
The RFA is a great org. They understand battles are won and lost in Washington and politics is the game we have to play.
They don't have a NY chapter because no NY members have started it. State chapters are all volunteers and are just beginning to get off the ground. I know a few people who are involved with the NJ chapter. I think California's chapter started more as a result of the MPA's, that issue was already a done deal before they really got off the ground.
I belong to both the RFA and CCA. The only way to get anywhere with government is with strength in numbers. The RFA seems to take on the bigger national issues and the CCA does a pretty good job on the local/state issues. Join both, the cost is negligible for what they do on your behalf.
Belong to the HRFA and the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and The American Littoral Society(volunteer fish tagger). It is important as a recreational angler to get involved on a local as well as national level. The sport is under attack from many fronts. http://www.hrfanj.org/http://www.littoralsociety.org/http://www.jcaa.org/
New Yorkers are welcome to join the NJ chapter of the HRFA. It covers the entire NY bight(a line drawn from Montaulk to Cape May) and is involved with many regional issues. http://www.hrfanj.org/
Support something... I have been part of the discussion on the fluke regs thread, and didn't want to become a cheerleader... but forming a chapter is not that difficult, and it is very satisfying and constructive. And if you have a problem with a group's agenda, the only way you can change it, is to be involved in it.
The N.J. Chapter of R.F.A. will be holding our first meeting on April 8 at 7:00 at the Howard Johnson hotel 955 Hooper Ave. in Toms River N.J. Our guest speaker will be Bill Donovan of The New Jersey Angler. There will be info. on pending legislation new regs. raffles 50/50 and much more. Every one is invited need not be a member of the R.F.A. to atend, so bring your buddy. See you at the meeting.
If you are interested.... the next PA meeting is 4/15... you can e-mail me if you are interested.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA)
