Florida Takes Major Step Toward State Management of Red Snapper
Today, Florida requested an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) from the Secretary of Commerce that would empower the state to manage red snapper off its Atlantic Coast. The announcement comes after years of hardship for anglers and the recreational fishing industry in the South Atlantic where NOAA has implemented short seasons despite lacking justification from fisheries survey data.
The EFP calls for a 39-day season in 2026 off Florida’s coast with expectations to expand following better data collection by the state. Click the link below to read ASA’s press release.
New Report Highlights Immense Value of Public Lands and Waters for Outdoor Recreation Economy
Outdoor recreation on federal public lands and waters is fueling America’s economy, according to a new report released by Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). Outdoor Recreation on Federal Public Lands & Waters: A Valuable American Asset, conducted by Southwick Associates, reveals the immense, often overlooked value these landscapes and waterways generate every day. This new analysis underscores that conserving and maintaining access to our shared natural resources for recreation is not only a business imperative but also a consistent, high-return investment in the nation’s health and economic growth.
Click the link below to read the full release from Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.
ASA Provides Feedback on U.S.-Mexico-Trade Agreement
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) provides critical support to U.S. sportfishing equipment manufacturers, and to a lesser extent, benefit American fishing companies utilizing a global supply chain. Over half of U.S. made sportfishing equipment exported globally is sent to Canada and Mexico under USMCA while 4 percent of the industry’s imports originate from these important trade partner countries.
Click the link below to read our full letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
188 Sportfishing Businesses Sign Letter Opposing Menhaden Buffer Reductions in LA
Last week, 188 sportfishing businesses from across the country submitted a joint letter to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) urging decisionmakers to maintain the half-mile buffer for commercial menhaden fishing off the state’s coast. Despite the overwhelming support from anglers and the recreational fishing industry, Commissioners passed the Notice of Intent on a 4-3 vote. However, this rule making is not final, and LWFC will accept additional comments from December 19 to January 23 ahead of their next meeting.
Click the link below to read the joint letter from the sportfishing industry.
About The American Sportfishing Association
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 55 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 800,000 people.
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