Weekly Policy Watch Updates From The ASA

Priority Sportfishing Legislation Passes House of Representatives

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two priority bills for recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry. On March 17, the Mitigation Action and Waterman Support (MAWS) Act, sponsored by Reps Elfreth (D-MD) and Wittman (R-VA), cleared the House. The legislation would establish a pilot program in the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to facilitate a market for Chesapeake Bay blue catfish in the pet and animal food industry to take millions of pounds of these harmful fish, particularly from sizes not suitable for human consumption, out of our waterways.

The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025, also sponsored by Rep. Wittman, passed the following day. This legislation will prohibit bans on lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters unless such regulation is consistent with state law and supported by science.

Both bills now head to the Senate, where we look forward to seeing them cross the finish line and become law.

Viking Yachts, Maine Pelagic Fisheries Lab Host Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Webinar for Recreational Anglers

You’re invited to attend a webinar on Thursday, March 26th at 6 pm ET for recreational anglers to learn more about, and get involved in, Atlantic bluefin tuna research.

This event, hosted by the University of Maine Pelagic Fisheries Lab and Viking Yachts, will include a panel of scientists followed by a live Q&A.

This is an opportunity to learn more about the “Genetics for Giants and Juvies” project, how to get involved, why this research is important, and to further establish the connection between industry and science.

Speakers:

• John Depersenaire – Director of Government Affairs and Sustainability at Viking Marine Group
• Dr. Walt Golet – University of Maine Pelagic Fisheries Lab
• Dr. John Walter – NOAA Fisheries  
• Dr. Matthew Lauretta – NOAA Fisheries 
• Dr. David Richardson – NOAA Fisheries

Click below to register.

REGISTER HERE

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.