ASA and CCA Respond to Court Decision Blocking South Atlantic Red Snapper Pilot Programs
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) are deeply disappointed by the decision issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granting a preliminary injunction against the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) pilot programs approved by NOAA Fisheries for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. This preliminary injunction was issued just hours before Florida’s Atlantic red snapper season under their EFP was set to begin, leading to immediate confusion, frustration and economic disruption for anglers, for-hire operators, marinas, tackle shops and coastal communities that had prepared for the opening of the 2026 season.
Click below to read our full joint statement.
Tell NOAA to Modernize its Outdated Vessel Speed Rule
In 2022, NOAA proposed a sweeping expansion of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule that would have forced many small recreational boats along the East Coast to travel at just 10 knots for up to seven months out of the year. The proposal would have created serious consequences for the sportfishing community without providing meaningful conservation improvements for whales.
After years of advocacy from anglers, boaters, small business owners, and coastal communities, NOAA withdrew the expanded version of the rule in 2024 and is now assessing the underlying 2008 rule for larger vessels through a formal public comment process. The agency is seeking public input on how new technologies, updated science, and vessel-specific risk assessments can help shape a smarter and more balanced approach.
Write NOAA and urge the agency to pursue a modern, technology-driven approach that protects whales while preserving boating access, safe navigation, and coastal jobs. Act today — Comments are due by 11:59 EDT on June 2.
Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026 (H.R.8876). This bipartisan legislation would provide a substantial update to federal aquatic invasive species (AIS) policy by enhancing AIS prevention, control and management efforts and improving coordination between federal, state and regional managers.
“The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) thanks Representatives Walberg(R-MN) and Elfreth (D-MD) for their leadership in introducing the Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act,” said Glenn Hughes, President and CEO of ASA. “This legislation represents the most comprehensive modernization of federal aquatic invasive species policy in decades, improving coordination across agencies and states, strengthening prevention and rapid response efforts, and providing long-overdue tools to support effective management.”
Click the link below to read the full release.
DOI Announces Proposed Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities
Today, the Department of the Interior today announced the largest proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, opening or expanding more than 1,450 opportunities across 111 stations in 32 states.
The proposed rule would increase access at 111 field stations, including 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries. It also includes first-ever hunting or sport fishing opportunities at 14 refuges and three hatcheries, reflecting continued progress toward maximizing access where compatible with conservation goals.
Read the full release from DOI through the link below.
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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