Pro-fishing bill introduced in Congress (1/21/2002)

The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced a bill to protect fishing access and give anglers a voice in the regulatory process.

Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced H.R. 3547, the Freedom to Fish Act. It ensures that federal regulations promote access for recreational fishing; that recreational anglers will be involved in procedures that contemplate restrictions to angler access on federally controlled waters; and that when fishing restrictions are imposed on these waters, the restricted areas be as small as possible.

In the autumn of 2000, the U.S. Senate introduced a similar bill. Senate Bill 3234 was introduced by Senator John Breaux (D-LA) to protect the public’s ability to fish for sport and for other purposes. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation but did not advance.

Animal rights organizations have been working to ban recreational fishing – an activity that Congress calls one of the most popular outdoor sports. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has erected anti-fishing messages on billboards, maintains an anti-fishing web site, protests fishing in state and national parks and has even asked the Boy Scouts of America to retire its fishing merit badge.

Take Action! Sportsmen should contact their U.S. Representatives and encourage them to support H.R. 3547, the Freedom to Fish Act. Tell them that despite the fact fishing is enjoyed by millions of Americans, it is under attack in America by the animal rights movement and this protective legislation is essential to ensure that fishing can be enjoyed, now, and for generations to come. To find your congressman, call (202) 224-2131 or go to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance home page and click on the Legislative Action Center – Write Congress.

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