The Fish and Wildlife Service recently finalized rules that would expand, fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and National Fish Hatcheries (NFH) throughout the country. These additional opportunities are celebrated by the recreational boating, fishing, and conservation community as they will create more opportunities for Americans to engage in their favorite pastimes.
The 2021-2022 Station Specific Rules, which were put into effect on August 31st, 2021, open, for the first time seven NWRs and one NFH that were previously closed to hunting and sportfishing. Additionally, opportunities for hunting and sportfishing were expanded on 88 other NWRs further creating opportunities for Americans to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.
“We are excited to see the Fish and Wildlife Service continue to open and expand sport fishing and hunting opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries throughout the country,” said Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “Many National Wildlife Refuges facilitate fishing from both motorized and non-motorized watercraft, and it is our hope that these additional opportunities will get more Americans on the water and exploring opportunities close to their homes.”
As estimated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these changes will result in an additional 25,885 fishing days and yield an additional $1.4 million in recreation-related expenditures that will likely benefit small businesses located near the NWRs and NFHs. The expansion of these opportunities was spurred by Department of Interior Secretarial Orders 3356 and 3366 which were signed respectively on September 15th, 2017 and April 18th, 2018. These two Secretarial Orders charge the Department of Interior to recruit and retain sportsmen and women, while also expanding available opportunities for recreation on Federal lands.
“The sportfishing community thanks the Fish and Wildlife Service for expanding fishing access on dozens of National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries,” said Connor Bevan, Inland Fisheries Policy Manager at the American Sportfishing Association. “After a year that witnessed millions of Americans try fishing for the first time, we believe opening these waters to recreation will enable new anglers of all backgrounds to continue enjoying the outdoors.”
If you are interested in learning more about the changes the 2021-2022 Station Specific Rules put into place click here.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, contact us at 763-315-8043.
