Yamaha lends support to South Carolina fishing and boating group

Yamaha, one of the biggest brands in boat fishing, has joined forces with the recently-formed South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance (SCBFA).

The Alliance is made up of more than 30 boating and fishing tackle manufacturers dedicated to the protection of the state’s burgeoning boating and fishing industry. South Carolina is home to some of fishing’s best-known brands, including Shimano, Stingray Boats, Berkley, Quantum, Abu Garcia, Penn, Falcon Boats and Ugly Stick, all of which are among the founding members of the SCBFA.

Boating and fishing represent a combined $5.1 billion a year economic impact and support 23,000 jobs, according to merged data from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), both of which have endorsed the SCBFA.

The state has more than a half a million registered boats, with one in 10 owning a boat. In addition, 725,000 fishing licenses are held, contributing $6.7 million to the state budget annually.

“Few people realise that South Carolina is home to brand names known worldwide in boating and fishing,” said Gettys Brannon, CEO of the SCBFA. “It has the most unique economic mix of boating and fishing-related businesses in the US. Yamaha has supported us right out of the gate, and we are grateful for the support.”

Chris Butler, Board Chairman of the Alliance and owner of Yamaha dealership, Butler Marine, said: “Time on the water, fresh and salt, is the top recreational activity in our state. Add the fact that we have some of the most iconic brands of boats and fishing tackle made here, and it just makes sense to give our industry and consumers a unified voice.”