Tideline Summer 2017

A Message from MSSA Executive Director Dave Smith

Dear MSSA Members, I want to sincerely thank the thousands of anglers and members who participated in the 34th annual Championship on the Chesapeake. As you know this tournament is one of MSSA’s largest fundraisers throughout the year and this year was troubling to say the least. Without going in too much detail, we fell 150 boats and nearly $150,000 gross. That being said we hope you will increase your support any way you can whether through donations or participating in our other fundraising tournaments. We do not rely on tax payer dollars, only individuals and private donations who support our mission. I also want to thank the many volunteers who made this tournament possible. It is the efforts of many that allow us to have 10 weigh stations, 5 captain’s meetings, the tournament party, and the many committee meetings that ensure a fair and enjoyable tournament. Thank you again for your time and commitment to the MSSA and our mission. It is also important to thank the sponsors who not only support the MSSA but invest in this tournament through sponsorship dollars. We have a growing list of loyal sponsors who have time and time again shown their support for the MSSA and The Championship. For the past 35 years the MSSA has been the leader in fighting for recreational and Sportfishing enthusiasts, the sportfishig industry, and the resources that we so dearly love. It is important to note that there is an inherent determination within sportfishermen to conserve our resources and ensure we are managing for sustainability while using the resources in the most economic beneficial way. While that is our mission, we also have a parallel mission to ensure a prosperous future for recreational fishing. Simply put, we must get our youth out on the water. Throughout the next few months we will be reinventing the MSSA Youth Angler Club. This program is part of a larger role the Business Development Committee (BDC) sees as critical to the future of the MSSA and recreational fishing. We would like to reach out to all our members and ask for your help. We want to know your thoughts on how we can get our younger generations involved in fishing. How do we get the parents to find time and how do we keep the kids interested or introduced to fishing? If you are interested in helping please shoot me an email djsmith@ mssa.net or call 410-255-5535. We would also like to solicit help from our business savvy and strategic thinking members. As we move through the year the BDC will be meeting routinely to discuss new and innovative ways the MSSA can diversify its revenue sources while increasing our advocacy footprint in the Mid-Atlantic region. If you are interested in making the MSSA even greater, please contact me and we can get you involved. Let’s make 2017 the year the MSSA enhanced and improved its operations. I am asking for your help, for you to be more than just a paying member, but to get involved. Thank you again for your membership and keep on fishing! V/R Dave Smith

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