The letter, authored by the National Wildlife Federation’s Vanishing Paradise campaign and Ducks Unlimited, was signed at Bassmaster Classic Media Day, the day before the start of bass fishing’s world championship.
The 2011 Bassmaster Classic runs Friday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Feb. 20 with the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center as well as daily weigh-ins taking place at the New Orleans Arena. It marks the fourth time the Classic has been fished in the Louisiana Delta.
Other letter-signing participants include the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and Bassmaster Elite Series angler and 2003 Bassmaster Classic Louisiana Delta champion Mike Iaconelli.
“B.A.S.S. is committed to promoting progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and fisheries management,” said Don Logan, an owner of B.A.S.S. “We support the efforts of Louisiana’s coastal restoration and are proud to be back in Louisiana for the Bassmaster Classic.”
More than 2,300 square miles, an area the size of the state of Delaware, have disappeared from Louisiana’s coast over the last 80 years largely because of flood control and navigation projects that have isolated the water and sediment from the Mississippi River from its delta while allowing saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to intrude far inland. An area of wetlands the size of a football field disappears along Louisiana’s coast every 38 minutes.
That land and habitat loss threatens a world-class saltwater and freshwater fishery, an ecosystem that serves as the wintering ground for as many as 10 million migratory waterfowl, the nursery ground for fish that populate the entire Gulf of Mexico and the communities that depend on the wetlands for protection from hurricanes.
“Louisiana is nicknamed ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ for a good reason,” said Land Tawney, sportsmen’s outreach coordinator for National Wildlife Federation. “The Mississippi River built one of the finest estuaries in the world with first-class freshwater and saltwater fishing and waterfowl hunting. But, that paradise is vanishing before our eyes because the river’s resources have been separated from the wetlands they built. The sustainability of this delta is 100 percent dependent upon returning the sediment and water from the Mississippi back into these wetlands.”
B.A.S.S.’s commitment to helping restore and protect Louisiana’s coast is part of a more than 30-year dedication to conservation. B.A.S.S. has worked cooperatively with state and federal agencies and other conservation organizations to develop sound management policies and protect and enhance aquatic resources.
“This year’s Classic will show the world again what a wonderful fishery we have in Louisiana,” Louisiana Wildlife Federation Coastal Outreach Coordinator Chris Macaluso said. “Hopefully it will also emphasize to those fishing and following the tournament the need to restore and protect our coastal habitat. B.A.S.S.’s commitment to Louisiana will go a long way in helping us achieve that restoration and protection.”
For more information about the Vanishing Paradise Campaign and to read the letter to Congress, please log on to www.vanishingparadise.org.
For more information about B.A.S.S. LLC, please contact B.A.S.S. Communications Coordinator Melissa J. Dixon at (407) 566-2295 or melissa.j.dixon@bassmaster.com.
National Wildlife Federation: Emily Guidry Schatzel, Coastal Louisiana Communications Manager (225) 253-9781, guidrye@nwf.org
Louisiana Wildlife Federation: Chris Macaluso, Coastal Outreach Coordinator (225) 802-4048, chris@lawildlifefed.org
About B.A.S.S.
For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.