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Quoted from appended news release from Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation:
[The RBFF (www.rbff.org ) is a government-funded, nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating...]
"GOVERNMENT-FUNDED"!? --- that's interesting.
You know all those "Take Me Fishing" and "Water Works Wonders" advertisements you've seen in recent years - the ones with the darling child and doting parent or grandparent sitting in a rowboat or holding a fishing pole!? Pasted below is info about that particular marketing campaign.
Did you know that this week is BOTH the American Recreation Coalition's "Great Outdoors Week" and RBFF's "National Fishing & Boating Week".
Coincidence???
The story behind those friendly ads is an interesting one which becomes more so the deeper one digs. Here are a few links for those wishing to wet their line: 1, 2, 3 .
OH, let's make this fish-story relevant. I suppose you know that the National Park Service, many State Park systems and other land management agencies are engaged in marketing campaigns designed to lure additional visitors. The declining numbers of tourists, hunters, fisherman and other users of public lands that started 7 or 8 years ago has not gone unnoticed. A growing number of marketing effort are underway hoping to LURE folks back.
Here are two current links on that topic: 1, 2 .
Scott
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Wednesday, May 25, 2005
NATIONAL FISHING & BOATING WEEK, JUNE 4-12,
AIMS TO HOOK KIDS ON ANGLING
Fishing is more than just catching fish; it gets kids off the couch and
outdoors, where they can build a lasting appreciation for nature.
ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 24, 2005) - Research from the Kaiser Family
Foundation shows that kids spend an astounding 44 hours a week with TV,
computers and video games. Perhaps that's why Richard Louv, author of
"Last Child in the Woods," says that kids today suffer from
"nature-deficit disorder." The Recreational Boating & Fishing
Foundation (RBFF) suggests that parents seeking a cure should try
family fishing.
National Fishing & Boating Week (NFBW), June 4-12, was created to
get families moving in the right direction. From California to Florida,
and in most states in between, more than 700 on-water events are
planned, including fishing derbies, regattas and festivals. The aim is
to help kids connect to nature and build a foundation to stay connected
into adulthood.
To make it easy to find scheduled events, times and locations all
across the U.S., the nonprofit Recreational Boating & Fishing
Foundation has posted a comprehensive listing on its public-service
website, takemefishing.org. Events can be searched by state, town and
zip code to identify family-oriented fishing and boating activities
close to home.
At a time when many parents are concerned that their kids spend far too
much time indoors, fishing is a good way to motivate them to get off
the couch. "I've interviewed many parents across the country who want
to get their kids outside, but they don't necessarily know where to go
or how to do it," said author Louv. "Because it's so easy to do and so
widely accessible, fishing is a great solution for many parents."
"Fishing differs from many other forms of outdoor recreation because it
not only gives kids a lasting way to connect to nature, it improves
family communication in ways few activities can," says Bruce Matthews,
president of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.
"National Fishing & Boating Week gets things headed in the right
direction by getting kids interested in fishing and boating early."
Dean Cain Serves as 2005 NFBW Honorary Chairperson To help spread the
word that fishing is a great pastime for families, actor Dean Cain has
agreed to be the 2005 honorary chairperson of National Fishing &
Boating Week. Best known for his role as Superman/Clark Kent in "Lois
and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," Cain is an avid angler who
enjoys fishing with his four-year-old son. Cain will be in New York
City on June 2 and 3 doing media interviews to promote NFBW and to
discuss how fishing benefits kids.
Free-Fishing Days Mean There's No Excuse Not to Go Fishing To provide
families an opportunity to try recreational fishing without the
commitment of purchasing a fishing license, most states now sponsor
free-fishing days when no license is required. Many states have
scheduled these days during NFBW, providing an additional incentive for
people to get out on the water. A complete state-by-state listing of
free-fishing days can be found at takemefishing.org.
Since 1991, fishing participation rates have been in a slow decline. In
response to this trend, organizations like RBFF have launched a variety
of efforts and events such as NFBW aimed at stemming the tide and
ensuring a strong future for one of America's favorite recreational
activities. NFBW is also part of Great Outdoors Month, designated by
presidential decree as the month of June. During Great Outdoors Month,
state and federal agencies, conservation groups, service providers and
related businesses are holding family events in communities across the
country.
According to RBFF, more than 50 million Americans participate in
fishing and boating every year; that's more than play golf and tennis
combined. Additionally, 83 percent of state funding for managing and
conserving aquatic resources comes from the sale of fishing licenses,
and from excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel. These
funds ensure that fishery resources are well-managed, accessible and
conserved for future generations to enjoy.
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About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
The RBFF (www.rbff.org ) is a government-funded, nonprofit organization
established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling
and boating, thereby increasing public awareness and appreciation of
the need for protecting, conserving and restoring America's aquatic
natural resources. Recreational boating and fishing are America's
favorite sporting activities, with more than 50 million people
participating every year - that 's more than play golf and tennis
combined.
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- Outdoor recreation 
