Your weekly look at how ASA’s government affairs team is hard at work supporting sound fisheries policies throughout the country.
Join ASA and Protect the Use of Traditional Tackle
The use of traditional fishing tackle is at risk. A proposal earlier this year from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) would phase out the use of lead tackle in several national wildlife refuges, deterring anglers and creating unwarranted restrictions. Use our new policy toolkit to learn more about this issue and send a message to the USFWS opposing the proposal. Learn more
Urge Congress to Protect Anglers’ Rights
Members of Congress introduced legislation in response to the USFWS’ proposal to arbitrarily ban lead fishing tackle on certain National Wildlife Refuges. The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act would prohibit federal land management agencies from banning the use of traditional lead tackle and ammunition on public lands unless such action is supported by the best available science and state fish and wildlife agencies. Use our Keep America Fishing Action Alert portal to message your members of Congress in support of this legislation today! Send a message
ASA Supports the FISHES Act
Earlier this month, U.S. Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) introduced the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act (FISHES Act; H.R. 5103) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill aims to expedite the release of federal disaster relief following the issuance of an official fishery disaster declaration. ASA supports the legislation and is thankful to Representatives Donalds and the fifteen additional bipartisan cosponsors for their support. Learn more
About
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.