Amendment 2 Protects Our Right to Make Memories on the Water
Phil Lillo has spent 30+ years working in the fishing industry and in that time, as well as his two years as Chairman of the Board at ASA, he’s seen the value that fishing brings to communities in Florida. In 2023 alone, 4.3 million anglers spent over $8 billion on fishing expenses in the state. The fishing industry contributed almost $14 billion to our state’s economy through tackle sales, fishing charters, hotel stays, dining, and fuel, among other purchases.
On November 5th, Florida voters can enshrine the right to fish and hunt in the state’s constitution forever. Click the link below to read why Phil is voting YES on Amendment 2.
ASA Sends Letter Objecting to California Endangered Species Act Listing for White Sturgeon
The California Fish and Game Commission recently proposed the classification of white sturgeon under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). While recent assessments of white sturgeon have shown the lack of a robust population, this data may be misleading due to the species’ long life spans, delayed maturity, and episodic recruitment tendencies making short-term projections difficult to project.
ASA estimates that recreational fishing for white sturgeon in California provides at least $11 – 38 million a year in economic impact. A CESA listing for white sturgeon directly threatens the state’s recreational fishing economy while providing little benefit for species recovery. What limited data exists on white sturgeon indicates the population may be in decline, however, ASA believes the stock can rebound through improved fisheries management, resource allocation, and addressing pollution. Instead of listing white sturgeon, ASA recommends investments in adaptive, science-based management that addresses specific challenges such as habitat restoration and water use policies that benefit fish and wildlife.
Click below to read the full letter.
ASA Sends Letter Supporting NOAA Fisheries Proposed Rule on 2025 Black Sea Bass Harvest Limits
Facing the possibility of a 20% reduction in allowable harvest recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, NOAA Fisheries recognized the current abundance of black sea bass, roughly 219% of its biomass target, and proposed rules that maintain current harvest limits for the species in 2025. Black sea bass are an important food fish for anglers and support a robust recreational fishing economy, particularly in the Northeastern states. Maintaining 2025 limits allows for the continued sustainable harvest of the species and avoids wasteful catch-and-release mortality that would occur in a reduction scenario.
Click the link below to read the full letter.
Gov. Shapiro Signs PA Fishing License Fee Bill into Law
On October 31, Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, signed HB 1409 into law, extending the authority of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to establish and collect fees for fishing licenses and permits through FY 2035. The previous authority to take such action was set to expire in 2025.
Like many other state wildlife agencies, PFBC receives no money from the state’s tax revenues and instead relies on license sales and grants to adequately protect and restore the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources, maintain and expand access to fishing, conduct research and education, hire staff, and repair aging infrastructure. By allowing PFBC the authority to set its fees, the Commission will not have to seek legislative approval to increase or decrease the cost of fishing licenses or permits to keep up with rising costs.
ASA joins our coalition partners in Pennsylvania in thanking Gov. Shapiro and the legislature for their support on this critical issue.
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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