New online advocacy system provides anglers with an easy way to contact legislators
A new online advocacy system from B.A.S.S. allows fishing enthusiasts to write, call or tweet their legislators through pre-written engagements.
Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation provides users with talking points for a call, a prewritten letter or a prewritten tweet based on the user’s preference.
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation is, at its core, an opportunity for fans of bass fishing and B.A.S.S. to channel their passion for all things fishing into good public policies that concern our sport,” Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO, said. “Right now, the fisheries policy battles in Congress are focused on saltwater fishing, but tomorrow these issues could spread to freshwater lakes, rivers, or countless other fisheries we love to fish.
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation was designed to give all anglers a voice and platform by which to contact lawmakers and advocate for the preservation and growth of recreational angling, and we are proud to support it. Through this new advocacy system, we hope to create a brotherhood of anglers that defends fisheries access for all anglers, regardless of where they fish.”
Professional bass anglers also are joining the push to get freshwater fishermen more involved on issues that threaten all types of fishing.
“Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation isn’t just for bass anglers,” said Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jeff Kriet. “Many of the anglers I know fish in both salt and freshwater. The issues our coastal fisheries currently face could easily translate into freshwater if we do not take action. In order to ensure that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same fishing experiences as the anglers of today, regardless of what they fish for or where they like to fish, we must raise a unified voice to the nation’s legislators. When the 33 million anglers in the U.S. come together for positive change, we are a force that cannot be ignored.”
As policy battles move through Congress and the federal bureaucracy, anglers and recreational fishing enthusiasts will have the ability to contact their senators and representatives, as well as cabinet members and even the President of the United States with the click of a mouse. BASC also will send action alerts to anglers who sign up for the newsletter, so that anglers everywhere can stay up-to-date on the policies that affect fishing.
To see how the system works, visit BassforSalt.com.
