WASHINGTON, October 10, 2024 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas joined the American Sportfishing Association and key industry and community stakeholders to unveil a roadmap for future government action to support recreational fishing interests. “THE FUTURE OF SPORTFISHING: Policy Recommendations from the Recreational Fishing Community” is a collaborative effort to promote science-based conservation, encourage economic growth, enhance public access and advocate for the rights of American anglers.
The recommendations were developed with input from a wide range of partners. Seventeen organizations, recognized as leaders in habitat conservation, public access and recreational fisheries policy, have endorsed the recommendations, collectively representing thousands of businesses and 57.7 million Americans who fish annually.
“Conservation and proper management of our nation’s sport fish and their habitats as well as supporting and enhancing access to recreational opportunities are key to supporting the $230 billion recreational boating industry, and our community looks forward to working with the new administration and Congress on these recommendations in the new year,” said Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations. “Implementation of the policy recommendations from the ‘Future of Sportfishing Report’ would greatly enhance the management, recovery and resilience of America’s freshwater and saltwater sport fish populations to the benefit of both recreational anglers and boaters.”
“Each year, one out of six Americans go fishing – contributing $148 billion to the U.S. economy,” added Mike Leonard, ASA Vice President of Government Affairs. “The next administration and Congress should clearly understand what issues our constituency cares about, and this report gives them a roadmap on how they can best support our community’s needs.”
The recommendations are grouped into three significant areas: federal funding requests, policy proposals for public waters and habitat protection initiatives.
National Conservation Funding
- Adequate and dedicated funding for federal land management agencies
- Reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund
- Enhanced Funding for state-led collaborative conservation
Marine Fisheries Policy Proposals
- Improve data and access
- Investments in marine technologies
- Effective fisheries management
- Species habitat and recovery
Freshwater Fisheries Policy Proposals
- Legislation to protect habitat and support restoration
- Strengthen interstate partnerships
- Conserve waterways and protect public access
- Invasive species management and removal
Sportfishing remains one of the most popular and accessible outdoor activities, connecting millions of Americans to nature. In 2022, the sportfishing industry supported more than 90,000 jobs nationwide. Anglers also contribute significantly to conservation efforts, generating $1.8 billion annually for aquatic resource conservation through license sales, the federal excise tax on fishing equipment and direct donations.
Continued growth of our industry and our sport relies on strong partnerships with Congress and the White House. Over the next four years, the MRAA anticipates collaborating with our elected officials to bring these recommendations to fruition.
Click here to read the full report.
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, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
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 more than $50 billion in retail sales with a $148 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 945,000 people.
