Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/807903
April 2017 | Boating Industry | 23 [ ABC 2017 Update ] www.BoatingIndustry.com "NMMA has set forth some basic principles of what we'd like to see to help the boating industry: lower tariffs, harmonization of boat construction stan- dards, reduction in technical barriers to trade, an establishment of some sort of regulatory coherence mechanism that increases transparency," Vasilaros said. "Those are really the key principles that would benefit the boating industry, so whatever the agreement that's something we are going to be putting forward." NMMA is also focused on any "NAFTA 2.0" agreement that may emerge. "For marine businesses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are extremely important markets," she said. "We're going to be paying really close atten- tion to see if that 2.0 comes to fruition and how it will look." With a Republican administration and Congress, there is a renewed op- portunity for action. "When one party is in control of both the legislature and the executive branch, there is an opportunity for sweeping reform," Vasilaros said. "There is some excitement that things can get past the gridlock … and we can actu- ally see legislation start rolling." Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy, said he hopes that can mean progress on tweaking the Magnuson-Stevens Act to better manage recreational fishing in U.S. saltwater fisheries. "We have the opportunity to take a clear message and to share it and to get it across the goal line," he said. "Having sportsman-friendly leaders in all the branches of government puts us in a much better position to ensure that outdoor recreation is going to be recognized as an important activity." Angers said he believes those in the Trump administration, especially the new commerce secretary, realize the importance of the jobs created by recreational fishing. "Secretary Wilbur Ross, from Florida, is keenly aware of the economic impact that small and large coastal communities enjoy because of a ro- bust, properly managed recreational fishery," he said. "I think that's going to trickle down to NOAA and the National Marine Fisheries Service because it all starts at the top." Angers reiterated that it is important for those in the boating and fish- ing communities to make sure their voices are heard by lawmakers and regulatory officials. "There are going to be a lot of forces that don't want to see change, that like the way things are managed now, that are not really concerned about the economic impact of recreational fishing," he said. "We've just got to have a lot of voices in order for us to be able to pass this kind of legislation." © 2017 CDK Global, LLC / CDK Global is a registered trademark of CDK Global, LLC. 16_6008 LOOKING TO GAIN BETTER VISIBILITY INTO YOUR DATA, SO YOU CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS? With CDK Lightspeed®EVO, you can. See how your dealership is truly performing with powerful charts, graphs and easy-to-read reports viewed directly inside LightspeedEVO. With data you can trust coming out of your dealer management system, you can stay on the pulse of your business. Visit cdkglobalrecreation.com/evomarine for more information or call 800.521.0309 to schedule a demo. cdk16-6008_Ad_7.75w x 4.5 h(Marine)L1.indd 1 3/15/17 5:57 PM "HAVING SPORTSMAN-FRIENDLY LEADERS IN ALL THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT PUTS US IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO ENSURE THAT OUTDOOR RECREATION IS GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN IMPORTANT ACTIVITY." — Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy