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Morris/ Deal Report


Capt. Troy

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Nice write up in Saltwater Sportsman about Scott Deal and Johnny Morris bringing the Marine Industry to the table on the re-authorization of the MSA.

This is greatly needed representation for family level recreational fishing on the federal level.

Hats off to you guys. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

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I read that article too. I was certainly impressed by their courageous stand and I am personally proud to own a product manufactured by one of the good guys. Speaks to the great professionalism at MBC! :susel:

I will promise this. If the recreational community does not align, the department of commerce/ NOAA/ NMFS and many NGO groups will sell out family level fishing.

This forum doesn't have the space to even begin to touch on catch shares and the many programs designed to turn our public trust into a commodity that is being driven under the guise of conservation.

Call me paranoid or what ever. But, before you do, just read the conundrum circling RED Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Pay special attention to the pilot program that this very day is allowing certain head boats to harvest gag grouper, red snapper and so on when the average American angler is shut out due to seasonal closures.

The really sad part is no one will admit that these federal draconian rules in offshore waters are creating an effort shift to inshore species. Thus requiring more regulations.

The smaller the pool gets with no reduction in the swimmers, the worse the perceived problem.

Sounds premeditated to me. :/

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Great press conference today at the National Press Club announcing the "Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries" created by some of the top fishing industry leaders, including Johnny Morris of B*** pro Shops and Scott Deal of Maverick Boats.

[image]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/1395852785-10157122_10202605774219649_903043237_n.jpg[/image]

1395852785-10157122_10202605774219649_90

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Great press conference today at the National Press Club announcing the "Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries" created by some of the top fishing industry leaders, including Johnny Morris of B*** pro Shops and Scott Deal of Maverick Boats.

[image]http://www.mbcforum.com/fbbuploads/1395852785-10157122_10202605774219649_903043237_n.jpg[/image]

This may be the most important topic ever posted on this site for those who enjoy fair and equitable access to the fishery and the waters we all enjoy.

All the boat talk means nothing without the means to use your boat. This entails access to the water, closed areas, fishing and many other things.

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This was really the beginning of what will be a very long journey. If you look at the recommendations in the report, it's pretty hard not to support the concepts. We had great hill reception and were able to meet with Senators Rubio (R-FL) and Begich (D-AK), both of whom will be instrumental in writing any bill that would come from the Senate. It was nice to see such bi-partisan support.

We met with quite a few other Senators and Congressmen as well, all of which seemed receptive to our very logical and defensible position.

At the end of the day, it's time we get organized as an economic force and pull together both at the National and Gr*** Roots level. This is, as Capt. Troy says, very, very important.

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I tend to not get too ideological on societal issues, but this is one I can rally around with a clear conscience. Every time we step in our boats and reach for our rods, we should remember that this too could be diminished by special interests. Our number 1 defense is unity. Thanks, Scott for taking the point on this sensitive issue. Let us know how we can help.

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It won't happen overnight, but significant progress was already made yesterday as NOAA publicly committed to developing a national recreational fishing policy. This was recommendation number 1 of the Morris/ Deal panel. Great work, guys!

Here's the full press release: http://www.trcp.org/media/press-release/noaa-fisheries-commits-to-developing-a-national-recreational-fishing-policy#.Uz2UGqhdV8E

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  • 3 weeks later...

April 21, 2014

Message from Center President Jeff Angers

The long-delayed spring kept the cherry blossoms from appearing timely in Washington, D.C., but the long winter did not chill the enthusiasm on Capitol Hill for reform in federal fisheries.

It was bitterly cold on the morning of March 26 when Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President Jeff Crane opened their breakfast briefing on the future of saltwater recreational fishing. He invited me to emcee the program for Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus members on the recommendations of the Morris-Deal Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management. Commission co-chairmen John Morris (of B*** Pro Shops) and Scott Deal (of Maverick Boats) walked the audience through the vision put forth by the Commission and invited the kind of support needed from the Hill to enact these reforms.

Within 30 minutes of adjourning the CSF Hill briefing, the National Press Club hosted a news conference on the same topic for the nation's news reporters. We were joined by ASA's Mike Nussman and a standing-room-only crowd (plus reporters on the phones). Results of that morning were quickly on display coast to coast to coast: great stories in Business Journal, a fantastic feature column by Jim Shepherd, a fine news piece in Times Picayune, and even a great story on Seattle's KING 5 TV, among many others.

Later that morning, Morris and Deal were welcomed into the Capitol Building by the two

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) receives "A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries"

from Maverick Boats' Scott Deal and B*** Pro Shop's

John Morris and John Paul Morris.

senators who lead the Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee: Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Much of those meetings off the floor of the U.S. Senate were spent viewing fishing pictures and videos on the senators' iPhones.

Bottom line: it was a good day to make a good splash in Washington.

A week later, on April 1, NOAA Fisheries hosted a Recreational Fishing Summit and welcomed sport fishing leaders from across the country. With Scott Deal in a prime speaking slot, he was able to highlight the recommendations of the Morris Deal vision. And by now you know the news that NOAA Fisheries Administrator Eileen Sobeck closed the Summit with the announcement that the agency would act on recommendation #1 from Morris-Deal: establishing a national recreational fishing policy. Atop all of this momentum, our corporate partner Yamaha decided it was time to formally endorse the work of Morris-Deal. They made another splash.

Timing could not have been better. Within days, the Senate Commerce Committee staff notified us they would be publishing a discussion draft for reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). We have learned that much of the work of the Morris-Deal commission is already included in the first draft.

It is against this enthusiastic backdrop, that members of the Center for Coastal Conservation prepare to gather in DC for our annual board meeting and fly-in. "Center Focus on Washington" has come a long way from humble beginnings. Our host hotel is the Willard, next door to the White House. Our General Session is being held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex. Our board meeting is in the U.S. Capitol building, hosted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Staff from his office and the office of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will join us for our board meeting to discuss MSA and other natural resources issues.

As in years past, we cohost several events of Center Focus with our partners from NMMA. And our joint Center PAC/Boat PAC reception will be held at the Columbus Club in Union Station. There we'll welcome 40-50+ Members of Congress in a casual atmosphere.

Links to full agenda and registration are in the briefs that follow. If you're not already committed, we are accepting late registrations. Please join us if you can.

Spring has finally arrived in Washington.

Jeff

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  • 3 months later...

SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN

(Gulf of Mexico)

FB14-060

727-824-5305

August 13, 2014

NOAA Fisheries to Host Town Hall Meeting on National Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Policy on August 26, 2014

Public invited - we want to hear from you

What:

NOAA Fisheries will host a town hall meeting to gather public input on a new National Policy for Saltwater Recreational Fisheries

When:

Tuesday, August 26 from 6:00 - 8:00pm, following the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting

Where:

Beau Rivage

875 Beach Boulevard

Biloxi, Mississippi

Who:

All those interested in providing input into a new national recreational saltwater fisheries policy

Why:

Your input is important and this town hall meeting is an opportunity to provide input into a new policy about recreational fisheries. As an outcome of the 2014 Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Summit, NOAA Fisheries committed to develop a National Policy for Saltwater Recreational Fisheries. Information gathered during this town hall will help guide the direction of the policy. The final policy will more clearly define NOAA's operating principles for recreational fisheries by institutionalizing the agency's commitment to healthy recreational fisheries and provide guidance when difficult choices need to be made.

How:

The evening session will be a public forum for all who are interested to provide input into the development of the National Policy. We would appreciate your participation and any help you can provide to encourage others to participate as well.

Please Note: NOAA Fisheries will also accept input online via our website

through September 12, 2014.

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  • 3 years later...

Another good write up this month in the Boating Industry trade magazine naming Scott Deal as one of the top 10 Movers and Shakers in the industry.

Thought it was kind of cool that Mr. Deal went from a Xerox salesman and owner of a used 18 Maverick to where he is today. Now a leader in the industry as well as a leader in representing recreational fishing interests.

He has helped make a lot of things happen since this thread was started.

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