Anglers and Boaters Call on Youngkin to Move Menhaden Reduction Fishing out of the Chesapeake Bay

• National and regional groups launch effort to protect the health of the Bay and coastal economy

RICHMOND, VA, June, 14, 2022— The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and a coalition of 10 national and 10 Virginia-based groups is urging Governor Glenn Youngkin to move menhaden reduction fishing out of the Chesapeake Bay. The recreational fishing community is concerned that years of localized depletion from the annual harvest of over 100 million pounds of menhaden in the Bay has deprived gamefish like striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish of a critical food source.

Organizations including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), American Sportfishing Association, Coastal Conservation Association, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, and the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association (VSSA) are dedicated to maintaining the health of the Bay, the region’s economy, and the broader marine ecosystem in the Atlantic. The coalition, which represents thousands of anglers and conservationists from Virginia and beyond, sent a letter to Governor Youngkin today asking that reduction fishing for menhaden be moved out of the Bay until science shows that it isn’t having an impact on fish and habitat.


“Our members have witnessed years of decline in our striped bass, and we believe there is a causal relation to the menhaden reduction industry in the Bay,” says Steve Atkinson, President, VSSA. “Large-scale reduction fishing is outlawed by every other state on the East Coast, so it’s high time that Virginia took action.”

The striped bass fishery is the largest marine recreational fishery in the U.S., driving $166 million in recreational fishing activity in Virginia alone. However, the economic value of striped bass fishing to Virginia has declined by over 50 percent in the past decade.

“Industrial menhaden fishing in the Bay has almost wiped out striped bass fishing charters in the fall and winter,” says Bill Pappas, Owner, Playing Hookey Charters in Virginia Beach. “Nobody will book a trip when striped bass fishing is this bad.”

Science Points to Striped Bass Numbers Decline

According to the latest science, menhaden reduction fishing contributes to a nearly 30-percent decline in striped bass numbers coastwide. Omega Protein, part of Cooke Inc., is responsible for this immense menhaden harvest, which is harming the most important striped bass nursery on the East Coast and undermining the sportfishing economy and small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. It is up to Governor Youngkin and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to implement commonsense regulations until science demonstrates that menhaden fishing can be allowed without negatively affecting the broader Bay ecosystem.

“Boating and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay are primary drivers of business for boat dealers across Virginia and largely depend on a robust menhaden population and strong striped bass fishery,” says Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “For that reason, the MRAA and our Virginia members hope that Governor Youngkin will support small businesses and the state’s outdoor recreation economy by ending menhaden reduction fishing in the Chesapeake.”

A Call for Change

Local and national groups are calling on their Virginia members, as well as boaters and anglers across the East Coast, to push for change.

“Virginia has an immense responsibility to the Bay ecosystem and anglers up and down the East Coast, where recreational fishing for striped bass is a way of life,” says Whit Fosburgh, President and CEO, TRCP. “We’re making sure that there is national attention on this effort to move menhaden reduction fishing out of the Bay, an iconic fishing destination in its own right, and working closely with fisheries managers in the Atlantic and Gulf to account for the critical role of menhaden in the marine food chain.”

See the petition that fishing and boating groups are circulating now through October, when the VMRC has an opening to change menhaden regulations.

Read the coalition’s letter to Youngkin.


Important Facts for Media:
     • Reduction fishing for menhaden is the industrial harvest of an oily baitfish that is then ground up and “reduced” for use in pet food and other products.
     • This practice contributes to a nearly 30-percent decline in Atlantic striped bass.
     • Virginia is the only East Coast state where reduction fishing for menhaden has not been outlawed.
     • A single foreign-owned company, Omega Protein, removes more than 100 million pounds of menhaden every year from the Chesapeake Bay, the most important striped bass nursery on the East Coast.
     • The striped bass stock has been struggling to recover for over a decade, affecting fishing opportunities and coastal businesses.
     • Anglers are complying with an 18-percent reduction in striped bass harvest, with more cuts expected this year.
     • Omega Protein would still be able to harvest menhaden in state and federal waters.
     • A coalition of 11 national and 10 Virginia-based groups is urging Governor Glenn Youngkin — and the Youngkin-appointed Virginia Marine Resources Commission — to regulate menhaden reduction fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.

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.

Massachusetts Marine Trades Association Secures Workforce Funding

• Amendment Passes in the 2025-2026 Mass. State Budget

Massachusetts Marine Trades Association Secures Workforce Funding

The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association has once again secured funding for workforce development efforts in Massachusetts. The recently passed state budget as included $150,000 specifically to help bolster workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry.

These funds will be critical to helping the recreational marine industry in Massachusetts continue to bolster and grow the workforce, as the money will be used to help provide financial assistance for employee training, help offset the cost of new tools for members of the workforce and continue to support efforts to grow and expand the recreational marine industry workforce in throughout the Bay State.

CRUCIAL WORKFORCE FUNDING

The MMTA press release shared a quote from Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (R-Weymouth.) that described the funding as crucial for work development and career technical education initiatives. He added that it “… will open doors for the next generation of experienced maritime workers, aiding in substantial business growth, while also consistently preserving maritime traditions across the Commonwealth.”

CONTACT & MORE

CONTACT: Randall Lyons – Randall@boatma.com.

To read the full press release, click here.

MRAA Educational Foundation Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025

AUGUST 14, 2025, BROOKLYN PARK, MN – The MRAA Educational Foundation has announced that application forms for its 2025 scholarships and awards are now open to MRAA members who would like to be considered for recognition.

The MRAA Educational Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, provides essential financial support for dealerships to enroll team members in education, training and career development, so that dealership growth and success is more attainable. The Foundation lives out this vision by providing scholarships to dealership team members, and in 2025, the MRAA Educational Foundation has expanded its scholarship opportunities to fund more training and development across the industry.

“The MRAA Educational Foundation board is always looking for ways to expand the impact we can have on the marine industry,” explains Foundation Board Chair Matt Lodder. “This year, we are thrilled to invest more and provide a significant increase in the scholarships we are delivering to the industry to help strengthen leadership at the dealer level.”

New for 2025, the MRAA Educational Foundation has introduced the Service Excellence Scholarship package, which will award one dealership organization, an all-expenses paid enrollment in MRAA’s Service Advisor Certification program, an all-expenses paid enrollment in MRAA’s Service Management Certification program, and reimbursement of up to $2,500 for a technician from the dealership to attend a training program of the dealership’s choice. Interested parties can apply for the Service Department Excellence Scholarship package here.

“We wanted to ensure that we could deliver a powerful package of courses that would set up a dealership to excel in their market at delivering an outstanding service experience,” says Jim Petersen, Educational Foundation board member and Director of Service at Port Harbor Marine. “These three opportunities should set up any dealership to strengthen the performance of its entire service department.”

Also new for 2025, and as an expansion of MRAA’s Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year recognition, the MRAA Educational Foundation will be extending one scholarship opportunity to a woman in leadership or aspiring to a leadership position in the marine industry to attend a women’s leadership program of their choice. The MRAA Educational Foundation has found a trio of recommended courses – the American Management Associations Women’s Leadership Certificate Program, the Yale School of Management Online Leadership Program, or Dale Carnegie’s Online Women’s Leadership Academy — as options, but the recipient can propose a different course for approval to the Foundation board, if they prefer. This scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2025 Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award recipient, and it has a value of approximately $3,000. Interest parties can apply for the Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Scholarship here. This scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2025 Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award recipient.

“Through the important work the MRAA Educational Foundation does on behalf of the marine industry, we believe that strengthening the leadership opportunities specifically for women in this male-dominated industry is a critical initiative,” explains Susan Duquette, Foundation Board Member and President of Lakeview Marine, Inc. “With the Darlene Briggs award recognition already a fixture across the industry, we wanted to be able to also focus on building the future of our industry by offering a scholarship that specifically addressed how women can grow their leadership skills. The powerful courses we have identified as opportunities will help build a foundation, a strong skill set for continued leadership growth and influence.”

The MRAA Educational Foundation will also offer scholarships in 2025 for the Kevin Lodder Business Management Scholarship, the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship, and the Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award. These scholarships and awards will be presented at Dealer Week 2025 in Tampa, Fla., on December 9th.

About MRAA Educational Foundation
A nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, the MRAA Educational Foundation has awarded more than 85 scholarships and awards, collectively worth more than $200,000 over the past 20 years. Donations from independent donors and corporate partners make all scholarships provided by the MRAA Educational Foundation possible. To learn more about donating, or to find more information about the MRAA Educational Foundation, visit MRAA.com/foundation.

Marine Industry Gathers for NMTC Conference

• National Marine Trades Council (NMTC) Hosts Annual Conference to Discuss Workforce Development, Advocacy, Marketing and More

PORTLAND, MAINE, August 13, 2025 – The National Marine Trades Council (NMTC) successfully concluded its annual conference, hosted July 21-24 by the Maine Marine Trades Association (MMTA) at the Portland Harbor Hotel in Maine. The event brought together marine industry leaders, association representatives and stakeholders from across the country for engaging discussions, informative presentations and valuable networking.

This year’s sessions covered a wide range of topics, including workforce development, industry advocacy, boat show strategies, legislative updates and marketing initiatives. Highlights included workforce-focused presentations from Yamaha and industry insights from Discover Boating. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) held a forward-looking discussion on the future of marine retail. Attendees also explored the impacts of tariffs, regulatory and legislative trends, and shared best practices from state legislative sessions.

NMTC Conference 2025
Numerous marine industry leaders attended the 2025 National Marine Trades Conference in Portland, Maine, gathering to discuss valuable topics like workforce development, marketing, boating advocacy and legislation.

“Every year, NMTC is where marine trade leaders come together to talk, connect, and learn from each other,” said Lori Wheeler, 2025 Conference Chair. “It’s all about working together to support our members, grow our industry, and keep it thriving for the future. A big thank you to the Maine Marine Trades Association and Stacey Keefer for hosting us this year.”

Additionally, the conference showcased Portland’s charm and rich boating heritage. Attendees enjoyed a ferry trip to Great Diamond Island for lunch and afternoon sessions focused on boat shows. Those sessions were followed by a traditional Maine lobster bake that encouraged both networking and storytelling.

“I’m excited to keep building on the momentum we’ve created with NMTC and to continue delivering value for marine trade association professionals while strengthening industry connections,” said Matt Gruhn, 2025 Conference Vice Chair. “As we look ahead to 2026, we’re ready to grow participation and make this annual event even more impactful.”

Conference Sponsors

The NMTC extends its gratitude to Randall Lyons for his leadership as last year’s chair and to the sponsors who made this year’s event possible:

  • Platinum Level: Discover Boating, Informa Markets
  • Gold Level: Yamaha
  • Silver Level: Yachtr
  • Bronze Level: American Boat and Yacht Council, BoatUS, AdStrategies, MRAA, Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, Tix Online Now, U.S. Superyacht Association
  • Association Level: Ohio Marine Trades Association, Boating Ontario, Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Boating Trades Association of Metropolitan Houston, Maine Marine Trades Association, Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, Michigan Boating Industries Association, Marine Industries Association of South Florida

About NMTC

The National Marine Trades Council (NMTC) is an informal coalition of marine trade associations dedicated to promoting and supporting the marine industry through advocacy, education and collaboration. The annual conference unites leaders from across the country to share ideas, address challenges, and strengthen the marine trades community.

Media Contacts:

Automaker Trade Group Pushes Department of Justice to Target State Auto-dealer Franchise Laws

• Implications for marine retailers — how the MRAA is fighting for you

By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager

In late May, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a powerful trade group representing automakers and suppliers, responded to a public comment request from the Department of Justice’s newly created Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force . This task force was established under Trump Administration executive orders to review and assess existing regulations.

Critical Context

This new task force seeks to eliminate anti-competitive state and federal laws and regulations, which may undermine free market competition and harm consumers and businesses alike. One of the first actions taken by the task force was to seek public input to identify anti-competitive laws and regulations. After receiving input, the taskforce may then advocate for the elimination of those laws and regulations.

It was this request for input that the Alliance for Automotive Innovation responded to sending this letter. It suggests that existing state auto franchise and warranty laws, many of which have been in place for several decades, are anti-competitive and hurt consumers and should be targeted by the Department of Justice. Watch this excellent interview featuring Len Bellavia of DealerLaw.com on CBT News to learn more about the Alliance’s letter and the National Automobile Dealers Association’s response.

As Len points out, the Alliance’s letter doesn’t really make sense in the context of anti-competitive laws hurting small businesses. How would removing laws protecting thousands of auto-dealers in order to allow a small handful of colossal automakers to sell directly to consumers help small businesses and consumers?

What Does This Mean for Marine Retailers?

Now, what does this potential conflict between automakers and their dealers mean for marine retailers? Well luckily, not much, at the moment.

  • First, the task force would need to decide that it agrees with the Alliance’s arguments and begin a more thorough review of these state laws and actively advocate for their elimination.
  • Second, the elimination of these state laws would require some unlikely and rather arduous steps. The Department of Justice would need to essentially sue all 50 states on the grounds that these laws are somehow unconstitutional or violate federal antitrust law (which itself opens up an even bigger can of worms as these laws don’t exist in a vacuum and any litigation against them may result in disruption of other areas of state law).

    Instead, the DOJ could encourage Congress to pass a law regulating the relationship between automakers and auto dealers that would supersede state laws, something Congress has shown little interest in for almost 70 years. While Congress’s appetite for intervening in how states regulate business within their jurisdiction isn’t always consistent, it rarely comes in the form of blowing a giant hole in how the many-billion-dollar auto industry has operated for decades. Should this be the case, the MRAA is well prepared to launch a comprehensive advocacy strategy. We will work with recreational boating champions on Capitol Hill to fight such a proposal.
  • The third important consideration is a purely political one: auto dealers have been strong supporters of President Trump since his first successful run for President in 2016. Where is the political benefit for the President in attacking one of his most loyal supporter groups, especially as they navigate weakened consumer confidence and uncertainty around trade policy?

Impact on State Laws?

If we set aside those important issues, what impact would this have on marine dealers? Well, it depends. The biggest issue to consider is that few manufacturer-dealer relationships are regulated as extensively as those in the auto industry. Largely because of the collective power of both automakers and dealers and the long history of legislative battles over those regulations.

State laws directly regulate only some parts of the dealer-manufacturer relationship in the marine industry, typically covering warranty repairs and reimbursement — but these regulations vary inconsistently across all 50 states. If the Alliance succeeds in disrupting auto industry regulations, this disruption could ripple into state laws that model themselves on auto industry standards, even though marine industry protections remain comparatively weaker.

The MRAA’s Role — Diamond Ambassador Members

Auto industry franchise laws impact marine retailers

As we continue to monitor and engage on this issue, we encourage you to sign up as a Diamond Ambassador Member. You directly help fuel our ability to defend marine retailers from threats like these. Diamond Ambassador Members make an investment of $1,000 per retail rooftop location, which goes directly to the MRAA Government Relations Team. It fuels our ability to connect with key decision makers, travel to and lobby in priority states and pay for important legislative tracking software that allows us to engage on issues before it’s too late. To learn more and sign up, click here.

The MRAA will continue monitoring the specific issue of dealer-manufacturer relationships and the output of the Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force and keep you informed if this threat does materialize. That said — and with consideration of just how unprecedented many government actions are these days — we are confident that this specific effort on the part of the automakers will not yield their desired result. It may instead get auto dealers more fired up to oppose it.

The MRAA Government Relations Team fights for all marine retailers. But to do our best, we need you to fight with us. Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or advocacy issues of concern in your neck of the woods.

Devoted to Boating

MRAA Members Play a Vital Role In Supporting Dealers and the Marine Industry by Helping Shape Authentic Sales Leadership Certification

As a dealership owner and manager, you know firsthand the boating business doesn’t always love you back. Even though you give it your blood, sweat, tears and years, it can be, at times, unsympathetic. Regardless, many of you remain devoted to boating because, well, you love it. It is your passion and your reason for being. It’s your livelihood, and for many, it has been for multiple generations.

MRAA Sales Leadership Certification Focus group
MRAA Sales Leadership Certification Focus Group: (Front row, from left) Bernie DeGraw, Collin Heimensen, Jeremy Anderson, Garett Solberg, JJ Bauman, Joe Lewis, Bob McCann. (Back row, from left) Paul Pflueger, Liz Walz, Caleb Marconett, Caroline Overby, Andrew Brunholzl, J Hurless, Bill Fulton and Jerrod Kelley. (Not pictured: Stevie Cook)

But when the weather is poor, you feel it. When your customers complain or disappear, you feel it. When the marketplace — complete with its peaks and valleys — makes you feel more like a mountain explorer than a business owner or leader, your goal to reach new heights can feel desperately slow and unpleasant. You find yourself working IN the business more than ON the business.

We understand that feeling. We also know that not all dealers are the same. They vary in size, abilities, staffing, annual objectives, budgeting, leadership and dozens of other areas. We know this because MRAA members have shared both their struggles and best practices.

It’s one of the reasons why the MRAA created the Certified Dealership Program, to help dealers improve their processes and the experiences of both their employees and customers. MRAA position-specific training for service managers and service advisors helps individual employees improve so they contribute to the dealership’s progress. The next phase of this Certification program will focus on sales leadership training.

Get Notified about Sales Leadership Certification

Sales Leadership Certification

The position-specific Sales Leadership Certification course writing, editing and filming is underway. The program will make its debut later this fall, but you and your team can pre-enroll now. We recently held a focus group at our new MRAA HQ to capture the insights, wisdom and direction from MRAA members and partners comprised of dealers and boat and engine manufacturers. Along with some trusty colleagues in Liz Walz, Bernie DeGraw, Bob McCann and Stevie Cook, these 11 people gathered for nearly two days, dedicating their time, hearts and thoughts. We received a course outline and overview and had small-group discussions and brainstorming sessions. This team of boating experts, comprised of small and large dealerships, shared personal best practices and potential ideas for course inclusion.

All the focus group participants know that managing and leading a sales department is a monstrous task that requires process, team dedication and seamless communication that ultimately contributes to your customer’s experience. The Sales Leadership Certification course guides members to success by helping leaders steer their team to peak performance and dealerships to thrive.

Strengthen Dealership; Advance Careers

As the one responsible for the sales team, you know you can either master your challenges or they can master you. The MRAA Sales Leadership Certification program helps managers like you excel as a leader so your sales department can reach its true potential.

Enrollees will gain these skills:

  • CRM Strategy: Utilize management tools to coach your team in adopting and excelling with CRM systems.
  • Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty: Achieve higher sales, learning to build lasting customer relationships for repeat and referral business.
  • Leadership & Self-Management: Master effective coaching techniques to drive peak team performance.
  • Recruiting, Training & Retaining: Attract, onboard and keep top salespeople that consistently exceed expectations.
  • Sales Communication Excellence: Enhance communication between customers, staff and departments to eliminate inefficiencies.
  • Sales Process Mastery: Implement a proven sales process customized to maximize results at every step.

Devoted to Boating — By Dealers, For Dealers

I witnessed extreme dedication during the focus group meeting and complete buy-in from the participating dealers and industry stakeholders. They understand the value that the MRAA Sales Leadership Certification program can deliver to dealers. Why? For one, they are dealer principals or work directly with dealers daily, so they share similar needs and desires and understand our industry’s pain points. They are also MRAA members who understand the value of peer support and helping the marine industry advance.

On behalf of the MRAA, our Education and Certification teams and this industry I thank them for devoting the time to help hone the Sales Leadership Certification program. Here is a list of these first-rate professionals and the companies they represent.

  • Jeremy Anderson, My Wave Guide
  • JJ Bauman of Cobalt Boats
  • Andrew Brunholzl of River Valley Power & Sport
  • Bill Fulton, former owner BMC Boats
  • Collin Heimensen of Marine Max
  • J Hurless of Reeder Trausch Marine
  • Caleb Marconett of Volvo
  • Joe Lewis of Mount Dora Boating Center
  • Caroline Overby of Overby Marine
  • Paul Pflueger of River Valley Power & Sport
  • Garett Solberg of Rapid Marine

Human Connection & Devotion

Share a room with these leaders for a few days and you quickly realize they are devoted to not only their dealership but also their employees, customers and the entire marine industry. They would gladly commit their time, knowledge and energy for the betterment of everyone because helping dealers and the boating industry improve is their mission just as much as it is the MRAA’s.

Seeing this human interaction live was as rewarding as it was inspiring. This focus group represents the very definition of devotion, which Merriam-Webster.com says is, “The act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity: the act of devoting.”

Which Position-Specific Certification is right for you?

Portrait of Stevie Cook, MRAA Certification Manager
Stevie Cook, MRAA Certification Manager

If you have more questions about the Sales Leadership Certification program, contact Stevie at stevie@mraa.com or 763-402-7236.

Record High Fishing Participation Reached in 2024

ALEXANDRIA, VA – July 28, 2025 – The post-pandemic surge of participation in fishing continues to get record numbers of participants on the water, but data from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) 2025 Special Report on Fishing finds churn continues to pose a significant challenge for the industry. In 2024, 57.9 million Americans ages 6 and up took to the nation’s waterways to enjoy recreational fishing, an all-time high 19 percent of the U.S. population. Data also continues to underscore the critical importance of introducing fishing at a young age.

Eighty-five percent of current fishing participants fished before the age of 12, but participation rates fell sharply after a child turned 18, and specifically female youth quit fishing at an 11% higher rate than male youth.

“Retaining newcomers remains an integral part of fishing’s continued success,” said RBFF President & CEO Dave Chanda “New anglers are younger, from all walks of life and digitally connected. The industry must remind newcomers about great fishing experiences, highlight convenient water access, provide beginner educational resources, emphasize the social aspects of fishing and boating and recommend cost-effective equipment.”

According to the new report, spending time with family and friends was a key driver for new anglers in 2024. Many new anglers also reported that being in the great outdoors and relaxation inspired their first fishing trip. In addition to these results, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of fishing participation in the U.S.:

● 5.1 million Americans tried fishing for the first time in 2024, representing 9 percent of total participants, up from 7 percent in 2023.
● More than 43 million Americans ages 6 and over went freshwater fishing in 2024, holding steady for the third consecutive year.
● After hitting 15 million anglers for the first time in 2023, saltwater fishing participation grew slightly to 15.1 million in 2024.
● For the second year in a row, fly fishing topped 8 million participants.
● 21.3 million women went fishing in 2024, the highest number of female participants on record.
● 36.7 million men went fishing in 2024, the highest number of male participants on record.
● More than 5.5 million Black Americans ages 6 and over fished in 2024, the highest number since activity tracking began in 2007.
● Hispanic fishing participation increased by over 3 million in a decade, increasing from 3.3 million in 2014 to 6.6 million in 2024.

“Despite all this good news, there are two very concerning trends in fishing participation,” added Chanda. “Each year we’re losing more and more participants, and avid participants are fishing less.”

In 2024, fishing lost 16.6 million anglers (a -23% churn) vs. -18 percent five years ago and -12 percent 10 years ago. In addition, participation among more frequent anglers has gradually declined since participation tracking began in 2007. Just 32 percent fished once a month or more in 2024, down from 37 percent a decade ago. RBFF conducted research in 2023 on the Psychology of Churn to help its state and industry stakeholders tackle these challenges.

The Special Report on Fishing, an annual report in its 15th year, provides an overview of fishing participation in the U.S., including participation numbers among key groups, barriers to entry, reasons for participation, and more. RBFF created the report in partnership with the Outdoor Foundation.

The full report is available at TakeMeFishing.Org/SpecialReport.

Recreational Marine Industry Wins in the Big Beautiful Bill

Among the wide range of provisions tucked into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), some will have a positive impact on the recreational marine industry — from tax policy to workforce development. Here are four important provisions the MRAA supported.

1. Qualified Business Income Deduction

SBLC 2025 fly-in participants including MRAA
In late March, the MRAA Government Relations team of Mike Sayre and Chad Tokowicz (far back right) met with White House and Congressional leadership, representing the recreational marine industry.

The 199A Qualified Business Income deduction — set to expire at the end of 2025 — was made permanent at 20%, with a new minimum deduction of $400. Moreover, it expands the deduction limit phase-in from $50,000 ($100,000 for joint returns) to $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns). This provision enables smaller businesses to compete with larger corporations and now that it has been made permanent, small business owners can more effectively plan for the future.

The MRAA advocated to not only extend the 199A deductions but also fought to increase the limit to 20%. We understand that this certainty is critical for our members and small businesses in the industry at large. In March, the MRAA and the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) hit the hill to discuss the importance of this provision. Read how the MRAA participated in a SBLC fly-in.

Additionally, the continuation of immediate deduction of research and development expenditures — also now permanent — was another key win for the industry. This allows for more stability when planning long-term investments that will yield new innovations for our industry. The immediate deduction of R&D was a long-term priority for the recreational marine industry. It provides security for our manufacturers to continue to invest in their products and move the needle on product design.

2. Tax Change for Yacht Charter Market

Furthermore, a landmark tax change was buried in the bill that specifically targets the yacht charter market: 100 percent bonus depreciation on yachts purchased for charter and placed into service by December 31, 2025. It enables individuals or businesses to deduct the full cost in the same taxable year. This sweeping incentive aims to unlock significant cash-flow advantages for those investing in charter yachts.. And it makes charter yacht investments far more attractive by providing immediate tax relief rather than amortization over many years.


Designed to modernize fleets and grow the premium charter sector, the provision is already accelerating transactions as shipyards, management companies and private operators race to finalize orders before year’s end. By accommodating full depreciation in the first fiscal year, it alters financial planning dynamics, encouraging investors to update or grow their fleets now.

3. Workforce Development

One big win for workforce development was the inclusion of the MRAA-supported “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act” in the OBBA. The law will expand the eligible uses of tax-favorable 529 savings accounts to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs. Previously, 529 savings accounts were a means for families to save for traditional higher education. However, these accounts now serve as career savings tools that support not only initial education or certification, but also career advancement and mid-career transitions.


This flexibility will benefit the recreational marine industry by providing the current and incoming workforce with more opportunities to pursue specific training and certifications for positions in need.

4. Overtime Deduction

Lastly, the bill provides a new deduction of up to $12,500 for qualified overtime received by taxpayers. It is available to taxpayers who do and do not itemize and phases out for incomes greater than $150,000. Great incentive potential for overtime hours during the busy season at dealerships!

Progress for Recreational Marine Industry

These wins represent significant progress for the recreational marine industry — from tax reform to workforce development. With new investment incentives and greater long-term stability, marine businesses can now plan, grow and compete more effectively.

For questions about the legislation or how it affects your dealership, contact Chad Tokowicz MRAA Government Relations Manager.

How Manufacturers Can Keep a Better Pulse on Retail Realities

The Cost of Not Listening

In a competitive boating market this summer, a dealer I spoke with told me he feels fortunate.

His inventory is in a solid position. His manufacturer worked closely with him throughout the spring to make sure he had the right mix and volume for the season ahead — not just for sales targets, but for what the market could actually support.

It wasn’t always easy. They had some tough conversations. But in the end, they made decisions together, and now he’s set up to weather what has become a very challenging retail climate.

However, two of his local competitors aren’t in the same position. Their manufacturers haven’t responded to the softness in the market. Despite already having too much inventory on hand, they’re being asked to take more. And with consumer demand continuing to stagnate, those dealerships will have no choice but to start discounting more aggressively just to keep the floorplan costs from eating them alive.

The problem is, when those discounts hit the market, they don’t live in a vacuum. The dealer who was careful with his inventory, who made the right calls and collaborated with his manufacturer, now faces an entirely new set of pressures.

To compete in his market, he’ll have to match those price drops. His margins, which are already under strain, will erode further. And all the smart decisions he made in partnership with his manufacturer will be undermined by other manufacturers who weren’t working more closely with their own dealers to understand the realities of today’s marketplace.

That’s how it happens. Quietly, at first. Then suddenly, the entire market feels the impact. Bad inventory decisions affect not just one dealer, but an entire marketplace. And while the initial impact hits hardest at retail, it inevitably finds its way upstream.

This is not a new story. If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you’ve seen how quickly inventory pressure can turn from a manageable problem into an existential one. You’ve seen how floorplans become a burden rather than a tool. How margins shrink, how confidence drops, how even the most experienced dealers find themselves making reactive decisions rather than strategic ones.

In our current cycle, particularly as dealer meeting season gets into full swing, now is the time to ensure that you get the inventory conversation right — for the sake of your distribution network and your brand. Because too much inventory causes problems up and down the supply chain and throughout entire local markets. And it is the No. 1 culprit for putting dealers out of business, a real risk in today’s environment.

We all know that inventory conversations are ultimately based on the trust that exists (or doesn’t exist) in the dealer-manufacturer relationship. In today’s economy where retail demand has largely dried up, where consumer confidence continues to waver, where inflation has cut into discretionary spending and where interest rates remain a deterrent, it is absolutely critical that dealers and manufacturers deepen the trust by having real conversations about retail challenges. Manufacturers must ensure they are not clinging to the old playbook operating without a clear understanding of retail dynamics and pushing inventory that threatens to put their dealers and their own brand at risk.

At MRAA, we’ve built a tool to help manufacturers and dealers foster such a conversation. It’s called the MRAA Dealer-Manufacturer Scorecard Program. It’s a standardized, structured, and turnkey platform that allows dealers to share insights with their manufacturers (and vice versa) in a way that fosters productive, trust-building conversations.

This program isn’t about finger-pointing. It’s about alignment. It’s about seeing the same picture of the market, at the same time, and using that shared understanding to make better decisions together.

Manufacturers have long relied on customer satisfaction surveys to gauge how their end users feel about the product and the experience. They’ve used those insights to improve quality, refine policies, and even shape their brand identity. But very few are giving the same weight to the voice of their real customers — the dealers who sell, deliver, and service their products day in and day out.

Your dealers are the front lines. They’re the ones who feel market changes first. They see the slowdowns in foot traffic, the pullback in financing approvals, the hesitations in buyer behavior. And when those insights go unheard, manufacturers ignore their most valuable source of real-time market intelligence.

MRAA’s Scorecard Program captures those insights in a format that’s easy to digest, consistent across networks, and designed for action. It surfaces the blind spots that can lead to the exact kind of inventory misalignment shared above. It’s already being used by leading manufacturers who want a better view of how their decisions are playing out at retail. And it’s starting to spark more honest, constructive conversations about what success looks like — not just for the factory, but for the dealer and the customer, too.

Make no mistake, success in today’s market is no longer just about moving units. It’s about protecting brand equity. It’s about preserving dealer health. It’s about ensuring the customer experience doesn’t get compromised by desperation pricing or overloaded showrooms.

If you’re a manufacturer reading this, and you’re preparing for your dealer meetings, I urge you to ask a simple question: Do you truly know what your dealers are really facing in today’s marketplace? Do you really have your finger on the pulse of retail?

Now is the time to learn because the decisions made throughout our industry this dealer meeting season — about inventory, about support programs, about who listens and who doesn’t — could be make-or-break for the health of your distribution network.

For manufacturers who choose to listen, who choose to use tools like the Scorecard to build stronger partnerships, there is real opportunity ahead. For those who don’t, the cost of not listening will be paid in broken trust, shrinking margins, and, yes, lost market access due to dealer attrition. We’re already seeing this play out.

Now is the time to listen, learn and build deeper trust. And there’s no better way to do that than by using a structured survey platform like MRAA’s Scorecard Program.

Measure Performance Where It Matters Most

Explore MRAA’s Dealer-Manufacturer Scorecard Program options to get more information about the enrollment process. 

Score Your Dealers

View the key Performance Categories that drive the customer experience for today’s boat dealers.

Score Your Manufacturer

Take a look at the key Performance Categories that drive success for boat manufacturers.

Explore Our Resources

Make this turnkey Scorecard Program even easier by using MRAA’s custom resources.

Program Pricing & Deliverables

Explore all the tools available to help you improve the customer experience.

Prepare for What’s Next at Dealer Week 2025

July 24, 2025 – MINNEAPOLIS – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has announced the theme of its annual Dealer Week Conference and Expo: “Prepare for What’s Next.” The event will take place Dec. 7-10 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., bringing together the marine industry’s most forward-thinking dealers and solution providers.

About the Theme

Marine retailers today are navigating shifting buyer behaviors, fast-moving technology, and evolving sales models. Dealer Week 2025 is designed to deliver the tools, insights, and strategies dealerships need to adapt, grow, and prepare for the future of marine retail.

“We are at a pivotal time in our industry, with the pace of change in retail — and what it means to be a dealer — accelerating rapidly,” said Mike Davin, VP of Industry Relations at MRAA. “In the past, when we’ve experienced this type of transition, we’ve seen that the best prepared businesses come out stronger, and those that choose not to adapt fall behind. That’s why we’ve built this conference to give dealers the tools they need to stay ahead of the curve.”

As the marine industry’s only event focused exclusively on dealer growth, Dealer Week offers a robust educational experience built around three targeted pathways: Sales & Marketing, Leadership, and Service & Parts. Each session addresses the real-world challenges retailers are facing right now and equips them with practical solutions for long-term success. New for 2025, Dealer Week has also added a pre-conference “Boat Show Boot Camp” that will have dealership teams primed to start the new season on a high note with the skills they need to get results.

“With the ongoing shifts in consumer behavior, market dynamics, and technology, it is critical for the Dealer Week educational line-up to give dealership leaders and their teams the insight, training and tools to prepare for what’s ahead,” says Liz Walz, Vice President of Education. “Those marine professionals who join us in Tampa understand that it’s not enough to react to the conditions they are experiencing today. If their businesses are to thrive in 2026 and beyond, they must start readying their team, their operations, and their go-to-market strategies for a new marine dealer landscape. That’s the focus of our Dealer Week education.”

About the Education

Today’s boat-buyers expect digital-first experiences, transparent pricing, and brands they can trust.

The Sales & Marketing Pathway dives into these demands with sessions like “How to Market and Sell to a Changing Boat Shopper in the AI Era,” “Sell More Boats through a Better CX Online,” and “Reverse Engineer Boat Sales Outcomes in Today’s Market.” Led by thought leaders like Marcus Sheridan and Jeremy Anderson, these classes equip dealers with tools to strengthen lead generation, improve closing rates, and build long-term customer loyalty.

The Service & Parts Pathway tackles operational challenges with sessions like “From Forecast to Flourish: Master Budgeting in Service,” “How Service & Parts Can Keep More Customers Boating,” and the Best Ideas Panel & Roundtable Discussion moderated by Valerie Ziebron. Designed for service and parts professionals, these classes offer tools to improve efficiency, boost profitability, and build long-term customer loyalty.

The Leadership Pathway is tailored for general managers, owners, and team leaders committed to long-term success. Sessions such as “See It, Solve It: Harnessing Ownership and Order to Elevate Your Leadership,” “Get WISER: 33 Practical Ways to Improve Your CX,” and “Rethink Dealership Operations for a Loyalty-Driven Future” offer actionable strategies to strengthen team performance, optimize dealership operations, and drive sustainable growth.

Early bird registration is now open. Secure the best ticket rates and hotel accommodation for your dealership by registering at dealerweek.com today.

About Dealer Week

For more than 50 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world-class education to marine dealers, retailers, and service operations that power the boating industry. Dealer Week exists to engage, energize, and empower the dealer community. MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is a key part of bringing that vision to life. Learn more at dealerweek.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas believes a thriving marine industry starts with thriving retailers. MRAA works to unite marine retailers, provide them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and represent them with a powerful voice.

Strategic Collaboration to Propel Boating Industry Growth

• NMMA & MRAA launch Market Expansion Advisory Group

In response to a concerning slowdown in new boat sales and shifting consumer behavior, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and MRAA have joined forces to launch the Market Expansion Advisory Group. Beyond that, this collaborative initiative unites marketing leaders from across the marine industry — including manufacturers and dealers. Also, it will chart a unified strategy for growing boating participation and sales.

Discover Boating Collaboration and Market Growth


We are all committed to growing the industry together, and the Discover Boating team of the MRAA and NMMA must help provide the clarity for how we get there. Furthermore, the market demands we move because:

  • Economic headwinds & aging owners:
    • The median age of boat owners hit 60 in 2024.
    • Continued softening of new boat sales.
    • Without fresh demand, tomorrow’s pipeline will shrink.
  • Member feedback:
    • Members desire more from NMMA and MRAA, seeking a clearer Discover Boating ROI.
    • Need for stronger links across the industry ecosystem from associations to OEMs to dealers, so everyone is on the same page about our growth strategy and who’s accountable for what.

Unite Boating Industry Around a Common Goal

Most notably, the Advisory Group has one primary mission: To define and achieve success for the Discover Boating brand in a way that drives real results across the recreational marine industry. Marketing experts from manufacturers, dealerships and associations — guided by NMMA and MRAA leadership — tackle two vital questions:

  • How should we define success for Discover Boating?
  • How do we achieve that success together?

Moreover, by addressing these questions, the group aims to create shared goals, leverage collective insights and foster greater collaboration between manufacturers, dealers and industry stakeholders.

Meet Market Expansion Advisory Group

Market Expansion Advisory Group members were hand-selected for their marketing leadership, industry expertise and understanding of consumer behavior. They are;

  • Thomas Bates, Chief Revenue Officer, Correct Craft
  • Lauren Beckstedt, Chief Marketing Officer, Brunswick
  • Bryce Brown, Owner, MasterCraft Colorado
  • Abbey Heimensen, Vice President of Marketing, MarineMax
  • Amber Holm, CMO, Winnebago Industries & Board Member, GoRVing (RVIA)
  • Victor Gonzalez, CMO, Sportsman Boats
  • Rob Parmentier, CEO, Sailfish Boats & NMMA Board Liaison
  • Bryan Seti, GM, Yamaha Watercraft & National Sales & Marketing, G3 Boats

Furthermore, this cross-section of voices brings a broad, balanced perspective on how Discover Boating can better connect with tomorrow’s boat buyers.

What the Leaders Are Saying

Advisory Group members driving bold thinking around shared solutions:

  • “This is bigger than a campaign; it’s about how we work together to serve a changing consumer through shared resources that allow us to accomplish what no single entity can accomplish on its own. Like any good marketing effort, the group will ensure decisions are rooted in data and partnership and bring clear measures of success for Discover Boating that ignite industry action.” — Lauren Beckstedt, CMO, Brunswick
  • “It’s critical for any brand or category — in our case boating — to be known by those who don’t know about it. This is where growth happens. Successful marketing that turns these people into boat buyers starts with connecting them to what boating stands for, how it makes them feel and how it fits into their life. The group will answer how Discover Boating can do this best and how OEMs and dealers need to plug in to make it work for their business.” — Bryan Seti, GM, Yamaha Watercraft
  • “Market growth is a team sport. Manufacturers, dealers and associations each have a role, and we’re prepared to take bold, coordinated steps forward.” — Abbey Heimensen, VP MarineMax
  • “We need a solution to grow this industry because sales are not only declining, they’re going away. People are choosing to rent, join a boat club or not even become a boater at all. Something has to change and our goal for this group is to ignite the spark we need to enact real change and get our industry on the right track to grow.” — Rob Parmentier, CEO, Sailfish Boats

Why It Matters for Dealers

To clarify, for retailers, this initiative isn’t just about brand strategy — it’s about ensuring the industry invests in growth that benefits the frontline: Dealerships. In addition, Discover Boating must become a shared platform that supports how you market, sell and engage today’s evolving customer base. Your voice and participation are key to making that happen.

Taking it further, Discover Boating is conducting new, in-depth consumer research in partnership with Ipsos. It helps to better understand today’s and tomorrow’s boat buyers — their motivations, barriers and behaviors. The research concludes at the end of September. The insights will guide future marketing strategies and actionable tools for dealers.

How To Get Involved

1. Attend the Discover Boating Marketing Summit — October 6, Tampa, Fla. (at IBEX)
As a business owner, marketing manager or dealership admin., you have a chance to preview the research findings. Also, you get to hear from leading marketing experts and contribute to the future of Discover Boating. Stay tuned for more details and a save-the-date.

2. Join us at Dealer Week — December 7–10, Tampa, Fla.
Dealer Week, MRAA’s annual conference and expo, will be your opportunity to take what we’ve learned and turn it into action. For instance, you’ll gain access to strategies, tools and expert guidance on how to apply the research to your own sales and marketing plans.

For questions or more information, contact Matt Gruhn, MRAA President, or Ellen Bradley, NMMA Chief Brand Officer.

Read NMMA/MRAA Letter