Whereas the National Office of Science and Technology National Marine Fisheries Office studies recreational fishing participation

And whereas a recent study of recreational fishing participation in Massachusetts showed that 2011 recreational fishing participation had dropped from 1,258,124 individuals in 2006 to 897,115 in 2011 – a 29% drop

And whereas out of state individual anglers had dropped from 484,288 in 2006 to 292,701 in 2011 – a 40% drop

And whereas Southwick Associates did a study in 2005 estimating that the total economic activity generated by recreational Striped Bass fishing in the Commonwealth in 2003 was $1,158,000,000

And whereas     using 2003 estimates by Southwick, a decline from 2006 to 2012 of 29% of individual recreational fisherman would equal a loss of $390,000,000 in economic activity for the Commonwealth and a concurrent loss of hotel, motel, sales, meals, alcohol, gas and other taxes and revenues to the Commonwealth

Therefore be it resolved by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts that the Massachusetts Department of Revenue in conjunction with the House and Senate Joint Committee on Revenue shall conduct a study of the decline of the recreational fishery with particular emphasis on the Striped Bass and the concurrent impact on the revenues of the Commonwealth

And be it further resolved that said study shall be completed by December 15, 2013 and forwarded to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries with recommendations to enhance the revenue generating capacity of the recreational fishery.

ACTION NEEDED

Please send emails to both: The senate chair, Michael Rodrigues (michael.rodrigues@masenate.gov) and the House Chair, Jay Kaufman (jay.kaufman@mahouse.gov).

Tell them the commonwealth is losing millions in tax revenue because of the mismanagement of the striped bass fishery and it needs to be addressed and fixed. Ask them to support  Bills SB-1452 and HB-2506.