Sportfishing industry looks forward to working with President Trump on key priorities
by Mike Leonard 13 Nov 2024 09:06 PST
United States Capitol © SEA.AI
The American Sportfishing Association, the trade association for the recreational fishing industry, congratulates President Donald Trump on being elected as the 47th President of the United States. On behalf of our almost 900 members and America's 57 million anglers, we look forward to a productive partnership with the Trump Administration, working toward policies that will support conservation efforts, promote angler access, and encourage economic growth within the $148 billion recreational fishing sector.
As outlined in our recent report, The Future of Sportfising: Policy Recommendations from the Recreational Fishing Community, several priorities are critical to securing a sustainable future for our industry. Chief among these is a commitment to science-based fisheries management, which is essential for maintaining clean water and healthy fish populations. We hope to work alongside the Administration and the next Congress to ensure that our nation's fisheries are managed sustainably to provide robust recreational opportunities for anglers across the country.
Enhancing access to our fisheries, particularly those on federally managed lands and waters, is also a key priority for our community as we look ahead to the next four years. By expanding and improving access for recreational anglers, we can help more Americans enjoy time on the water and bring new people to our sport.
Additionally, increased conservation funding remains a central focus. Adequate funding for land management agencies, fish habitat restoration and expanded access will improve the health of our waterways and ensure our fisheries thrive for generations to come. By proactively managing environmental challenges, we can protect our waters from factors like pollution and habitat degradation that threaten both fish populations and the angling experience.
Lastly, we hope to see policies that support growth and technological innovation within the recreational fishing sector. Our industry supports almost 950,000 jobs and is the cultural and economic lifeblood of many local communities.
While there's still work to be done before inauguration day, we are optimistic that the strides our industry made, and the bipartisan support outdoor recreation enjoyed, in the 118th Congress will continue into 2025 and beyond.