Louisiana DFW to Reconsider Half Mile Buffer for Commercial Menhaden Fishing
Last year, stakeholders in the Gulf agreed upon a half mile buffer for commercial menhaden operations to protect habitat and reduce lethal bycatch of species like red drum, tarpon, flounder and speckled trout. Unfortunately, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is considering action to reduce the ½ mile shoreline buffer in place for the Gulf menhaden fishery down to ¼ mile in most areas.
These nearshore waters are the lifeblood of the sportfishing industry in the Gulf, providing fishing opportunities for hundreds of thousands of anglers and providing $3.1 billion to the state’s economy. ASA strongly supports the existing buffer zone, and we urge the Commission to maintain their sensible, conservation-minded guidelines that protect vital species and the forage fish they depend on.
Click the link below to read ASA’s letter in support of the buffer from 2024. In the coming days, ASA will distribute an action alert for anglers to weigh in defending the existing buffer.
ASA’s 2025 Sportfishing Summit Discussed Important Issues Facing Recreational Anglers
On Friday, ASA’s Annual Sportfishing Summit ended following an incredible week of industry conversations and committee meetings. The event featured several important policy discussions, where we celebrated recent victories while discussing additional ways to protect angling access and safeguard important fisheries.
The recreational fishing industry made headway on several priorities this year, many of which were highlighted at ASA’s Summit. These included the defeat of a bottomfishing ban off Florida’s Atlantic coast, withdrawal of NOAA’s vessel speed rule, and progress on important legislative priorities, including the MAPOceans/MAPWaters bills and SHARKED Act. Meanwhile, our members recognized the need to continue combating harmful pending proposals. These issues exist throughout the nation, with discussions on lead tackle, striped bass targeting closures, and commercial menhaden harvesting taking center stage. Tariffs also remained central to Summit conversations, with members discussing the impact of tariffs on their businesses while preparing for potential refunds. ASA thanks our members for their commitment to furthering our industry, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s Summit in Point Clear, Alabama from October 20-23, 2026.
ASA Congratulates Dr. Neil Jacobs on Confirmation as NOAA Administrator
Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Neil Jacobs as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition to his previous role at NOAA during the first Trump administration, Dr. Jacobs is an avid angler and a former charter captain.
ASA looks forward to working with Dr. Jacobs to support the sportfishing industry, including improved data collection and increased access for recreational anglers.
ASA President and CEO Glenn Hughes Elected Board Chair of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Today, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced that Glenn Hughes, ASA’s President and CEO, was elected as Chair of ORR’s Board of Directors. Hughes has dedicated his career to the outdoor recreation industry, including 35 years in the fishing and boating sectors. Alongside ORR, Glenn serves on several boards, including the Center for Sportfishing Policy, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Jessica Turner, President of ORR celebrated this announcement, stating “Glenn Hughes is a dedicated leader whose deep experience in outdoor recreation, strong advocacy for America’s anglers and boaters, and commitment to collaboration make him the ideal chair for ORR’s Board of Directors.”
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations representing the more than 110,000 outdoor businesses in the recreation economy and the full spectrum of outdoor-related activities. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimated that outdoor recreation generated $1.2 trillion in economic output (2.3% of GDP), 5 million jobs and comprised 3.1% of U.S. employees in its latest estimate.
Click below to read ORR’s full announcement.
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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