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Pro-Fishing bill in Congress waits for action (8/21/2002)

A bill that would protect angler access and allow for sportsman input in access regulations awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

Senator John Breaux (D-LA) introduced S 1314 to protect and enhance fishing in the United States. The bill, known as the Freedom to Fish Act, would ensure 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.

Senate Bill 1314 is virtually identical to two other House bills, H.R. 3104 and H.R. 3547, that were introduced by Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN).

While federal legislators have the option to protect fishing, well-funded animal rights groups continue to depict it as a cruel and inhumane sport. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is asking everyone from school teachers to state park employees to help it eliminate another part of America’s outdoor heritage.

In June, PETA sent a message to a high school principle in New York asking that the school discontinue its fly-fishing physical education class because "by teaching fishing in school, we teach that violence is acceptable." The animal rights group also sent messages to several state parks, including parks in the states of Kentucky, Louisiana and Rhode Island, asking that they ban fishing. It claims "the violent process of fishing and its consequences do not complement the peace and tranquility of a state park."

Take Action! Contact your U.S. senators and congressman and encourage them to support S 1314, H.R. 3104 and H.R. 3547, the Freedom to Fish Acts. Tell them that despite the fact that fishing is enjoyed by millions of Americans, it is under attack in the United States by the animal rights movement and protective legislation is essential to ensure that fishing can be enjoyed for generations to come. To find your legislators, call (202) 224-2131 or go to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance home page.

CopyrightÓ  U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org

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