April 24, 2012 - Last summer, Wal-Mart announced efforts to help fund the demise of the U.S. fishing industry while working to undermine angler access to coastal resources by contributing over $36 million towards marine reserves and catch share programs. “Shopping for fishing equipment at Wal-Mart is contributing directly to the demise of our sport, it’s supporting lost fishing opportunities and decreased coastal access for all Americans,” said RFA’s Jim Donofrio in calling for a national angler boycott of the corporate giant. Click here to read more.

In April of 2012, Wal-Mart makes international headlines with a Mexican bribery scandal, which RFA points out is more of the same type of ‘greenwashing’ perpetrated by the Walton school of business. Read the latest Wal-Mart news from RFA.

April 20, 2012 – RFA has submitted official comments to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) with regard to bunker management measures. In addition to supporting a timeline to achieve the desired fishing mortality target and requesting use of the most timely and comprehensive reporting systems available, RFA also has gone on record again with supporting efforts to restrict harvest by the reduction industry on the Chesapeake Bay. “Consistent with action taken by most states dealing with their inshore waters and bays, RFA believes a closed area for the reduction fishery should be imposed for the entire Bay and its tributaries,” said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio who added “such a closed area would result in positive ecological benefits to the Bay and species that rely on menhaden such as striped bass.” Click here to read RFA’s final official comments to the ASMFC.

March 30, 2012 - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) received official notice from the Obama Administration this denying the Chairman's request for a 90-day extension of the public comment period on the draft National Ocean Policy Implementation plan. The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has been a longtime critic of the over burdensome bureaucracy of the National Oceans Policy, what RFA executive director Jim Donofrio calls "a complete takeover" of our U.S. oceans by radical, anti-access agenda. See the RFA's latest release on President Obama's executive order by clicking here.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) said the commitments made by powerful Members of Congress on March 21, 2012 turned the day into a win for America's coastal fishing communities. Included in the list of speakers were Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), along with House members Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), Rep. Robert Turner (R-NY), Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ), Rep. William Keating (D-MA), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Rep. David Rivera (R-FL), Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL) and Rep. Allen B. West (R-FL). Click here to learn more about the rally or to see the latest release on the event click here to share.

For years the "overfishing" words has been used by environmental writers and media outlets to warn Americans about the impending collapse of our global fisheries has been taken grossly out of context. The difference between statutory and biological definitions however is what's destroying America's fishing industry, and it's exactly why the RFA calls the word overfishing a simple "term of art." Click here to read more.

Over 20 federal lawmakers joined several thousand fishermen from around the country next to the US Capitol on February 24, 2010 in a three-hour rally supporting national fisheries reform. Journalists on the scene tabbed attendance at about 5,000 with fishermen standing elbow-to-elbow in Washington DC. Click here to read more!!!

Watch video from the fishermen's rally in DC on February 24, 2010 including historic speeches in defense of fishermen's rights. Watch YouTube video