Urge your Senators to Support the SHARKED Act
On July 30, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance the Supporting the Health of Aquatic Systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act. This priority bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force dedicated to mitigating shark depredation, which is the consumption of a hooked fish before the angler can land it.
With shark depredation being a frequent occurrence among anglers, approval of the SHARKED Act is more important than ever. Click the link below to send a letter to your Senators requesting their support of the SHARKED Act.
NOAA Fisheries Extends Gulf Red Grouper Season
Last week, NOAA Fisheries took emergency action to increase Gulf red grouper catch limits for 2025 based on growth of the red grouper population. It’s likely that recreational harvest of red grouper will remain open for the rest of the year, which will increase angler access and increase economic opportunities for the recreational fishing industry.
Click the link below for more information.
Kenai River Late Chinook Show Signs of Rebound
As of August 3, 2025, 11,327 large (≥34 inches) late-run Chinook salmon have passed the Kenai River ARIS sonar station at river mile 14. Historically, approximately 67.5% of the late-run Chinook return occurs by this date, projecting a total return exceeding 16,000 fish. This is a significant improvement over the return of only 6,630 fish in 2024.
If the return surpasses 16,000, it will mark the first time in recent years that the escapement objective (optimal range: 15,000–30,000 fish) has been achieved. While this figure remains well below historical returns and follows a complete closure of all directed in-river sport and commercial Chinook fisheries, it is encouraging news.
Additionally, the late-run sockeye salmon count has set a new record, with over 3.3 million fish passing the sonar station since counting began. We remain optimistic for continued positive developments in Alaska’s fisheries.
NOAA Announces Recreational Bluefin Tuna Closure for Remainder of 2025
Beginning on August 12 at 11:30 PM, recreational harvest for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic ocean will be closed for all Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels. This announcement follows an earlier adjustment to the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits from June 3, then revised again on July 1.
ASA is disappointed in NOAA’s revised 2025 closure for the bluefin tuna Angling category because of its associated negative economic impacts. This closure threatens revenue, jobs, and fishing opportunities for the sportfishing industry – affecting anglers, charter operators, and coastal businesses. To ensure accuracy, ASA calls for a transparent and thorough review of the 2024 LPS estimates through a formal process involving stakeholders and the Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel.
Additionally, the apparent increase in western bluefin tuna availability, as suggested by the 2024 Large Pelagic Survey estimates, must also serve as a catalyst for the United States to pursue an increased quota at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). As the bluefin tuna stock rebuilds, securing additional access is reasonable and necessary to reflect improved stock health and to maximize the fishery’s value to America’s sportfishing economy.
ASA remains committed to working with NOAA, ICCAT, and the Trump Administration to develop solutions that accurately reflect the current state of the Atlantic bluefin tuna population and restore fishing access for recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry.
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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