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Stripers Forever Members – We have an exciting announcement. SF has retained the services of Mike Spinney, principal of the communications consultancy Six-Weight, to act as our Massachusetts Policy Coordinator. Mike will spearhead our efforts in Massachusetts, working with policymakers to demonstrate why designating wild striped bass as game fish in MA waters is in the best interest of striped bass and
the Commonwealth.
Studies show that a total of $334 million in new economic activity and 2,871 new jobs would be created by eliminating commercial fishing for striped bass in MA. Already approximately 550,000 residents of the state enjoy fishing recreationally for stripers. Striped bass are vitally important to the guiding business in MA, and are the target of more than 64% of all saltwater fishing trips in the state. We believe Mike will be able to raise considerable support among Massachusetts policymakers to protect the striper population from further degradation while supporting the large and valuable recreational fishery.
One of Mike’s duties will be to identify a large list of individuals from our more than 2,000 MA members who would like to be more directly involved in SF’s game fish efforts. If you'd like to become more involved, please contact us through the website indicating your willingness to help, and Mike will be in touch with you.
Naturally Mike’s services are not free, and in addition to his work, we have commissioned a Virginia state version of the Southwick Study. To pay for these initiatives, SF will soon begin a series of auctions through our website to include donated trips, equipment, art, and other items. We have done some of this in the past, and our members have generally enjoyed bidding on the items.
If you would simply like to make a contribution – and as always none is required to be a SF member – just send your check of any size to Stripers Forever P.O. Box 2781, South Portland, ME 04116-2781. Also, if you have a product or service that you think would make a good auction item please consider donating it to SF. The Stripers Forever website generates a lot of traffic, and your donation would receive considerable exposure. Thank you for your support, and look for the first auction items very soon. Brad Burns
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