The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced its support of bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. This important program supports about $650 million annually in fishery restoration and conservation programs, boating access and infrastructure, fish stocking programs and the highly successful and award-winning national outreach communication effort that has help to grow participation in boating and fishing.
The Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021 was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and in the House by Reps. Debbie Dingell (R-Michigan) and Garret Graves (R-Louisiana).
“This legislation provides critical funding for our industry, for the many millions of consumers who enjoy boating and fishing, and for the important conservation efforts that protect our waterways and fish habitats,” says MRAA President Matt Gruhn. “We appreciate the leadershihp of Senators Cantwell and Wicker and Representatives Dingell and Graves for being champions of the Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021.”
The SFRBTF was introduced in 1950 with the passage of the Dingell-Johnson Act, which created a federal excise tax on recreational fishing equipment. In 1984, the Wallop-Breaux Amendment expanded the program by adding federal fuel taxes for motor boats and small engines. The SFRBTF is funded by manufacturer’s excise taxes on fishing equipment, import duties, and motorboat and small engine fuel taxes. These funds are then used for programs like the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, which provides funds for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of tie-up facilities with features for transient boaters, as well as the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, which has helped to attract new boaters and fishing enthusiasts to the sport in large numbers and thereby increasing the funds that are added into the Trust Fund.
“The SFRBTF is an important program for conservation and access as it provides state fish and wildlife agencies with much needed funds for habitat restoration and infrastructure improvement,” said Chad Tokowicz Government Relations Manager for the MRAA. “This funding makes it possible for anglers and boaters to find more recreational opportunities and contribute to important conservation efforts simply by fueling up their boats and buying new fishing equipment.”
We ask that you follow the link to the Boating United Action Alert and ask that your Member of Congress support the Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act, as the two bills make their way through the House and Senate.
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.
