Senators Manchin and Graham Introduce Bill to Support Right Whale Conservation and Public Access
On Thursday, August 2, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2024, which will establish a grant program to support North Atlantic Right Whale conservation while pausing any changes to current vessel speed restrictions. Companion legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Mary Peltola (D-AK). ASA’s Martha Guyas testified in favor of the bill in a House Natural Resources Committee hearing in June.
ASA Sends Letter to Senate Encouraging EXPLORE Act Passage
ASA recently sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), encouraging the upper chamber to include the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The EXPLORE Act would modernize outdoor recreation infrastructure and accessibility, transforming access to public lands and waters for America’s 57.7 million anglers. Click below to read the full letter.
Calling Florida Anglers – Pledge your Vote Yes on Amendment 2
This November, Floridians have the chance to enshrine fishing and hunting in the state’s constitution. Widely accepted as the fishing capital of the world, Florida has it all – from saltwater flats to world renown bass lakes to some of the best offshore fishing on earth. Make your pledge today and help us keep Florida fishing!
Senate Committee Passes Harmful Algal Bloom Legislation
Last week, the United States Senate Commerce Committee passed the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act (H.R. 6903). Late last year, ASA led a letter of 19 conservation organizations advocating for this critical legislation. THE HABHRCA will advance the scientific understanding of harmful algal blooms and the ability to detect, monitor, assess, and predict harmful blooms and hypoxia events in both fresh and saltwater. Click below to read the full letter.
Senate Passes Water Infrastructure Package
Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 by unanimous consent, following the House’s passage of its water infrastructure package last month. As the House and Senate head toward a conference committee to reconcile differences, ASA will continue to advocate for provisions in the bills to expand fishing and boating access, address aquatic invasive species and support Upper Mississippi River restoration.
Click below to read a blog post on ASA’s priorities for WRDA 2024.
ASA’s Leonard Attends NFHP Board Meeting in Anchorage
Last week, ASA Vice President of Government Affairs, Mike Leonard, traveled to Anchorage, Alaska for the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) July Board Meeting. Agenda items at this month’s meeting included approval of Partnerships to provide to Congress for designation, beginning the process for the next iteration of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and legislative updates on the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act. Board members were also given the opportunity to tour previously funded projects, such as critical salmon habitat restoration in the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Basin. Mike also spent some time fishing for trophy rainbow trout with ASA Member organization and longtime partner, the Kenai River Sportfishing Association.
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.
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