Please select your home edition
Edition

Westerman and Huffman introduce Bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250

by American Sportfishing Association 16 Jun 10:30 PDT
Westerman and Huffman introduce Bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250 © American Sportfishing Association

On June 10, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250 (GAOA 250).

The GAOA 250 invests $1.9 billion annually to address deferred maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure on America's public lands and waters over each of the next five years, including campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, hunting and fishing sites and other recreational sites.

"Public lands and waters are the lifeblood of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community, which contributes $230 billion to the nation's economy," said Glenn Hughes, President & CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "No other country on earth enjoys the expansive public access and diversity of fishing opportunities as those afforded in the United States. Continued investments in sportfishing and outdoor recreation infrastructure on public lands and waters through the Legacy Restoration Fund and the Great American Outdoors Act 250 are critical to advancing our nation's fishing and outdoor recreation heritage for the next 250 years."

Read more here...

Related Articles

MBC Commission proposes marine protected area
Anglers, businesses and conservation organizations have formed a coalition to protest the change Miami Beach City Commission is considering establishing a marine protected area extending north from the Government Cut jetty past Neon Reef along South Beach, which would prohibit boats with combustion engines from accessing a historical tarpon fishery. Posted on 3 Nov
2026 Sportfishing Summit
ASA Summit brings sportfishing industry together in South Alabama Last week, almost 200 leaders from across the sportfishing industry joined ASA in Point Clear, Alabama for the 2026 Sportfishing Summit. Posted on 27 Oct
NOAA Fisheries to convene workshops
On advancing technology to reduce whale collisions NOAA Fisheries, in collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and maritime industry partners, is convening a series of workshops building on the 2024 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Risk Reduction Technology Workshop. Posted on 27 Oct
California approves new MPA's, denies others
These decisions followed years of review, scientific evaluation and public input Last week, the California the California Fish and Game Commission acted on a series of petitions proposing new marine protected areas and changes to existing MPA boundaries and recreational fishing access. Posted on 20 Oct
U.S. and China announce $30B for tariff relief
Some items are particularly pertinent to the fishing industry Late yesterday, the White House released a list of $30 billion worth of products recommended for reduced tariff treatment by the U.S.-China Board of Trade. Posted on 29 Sep
Restoring America's Saltwater Angling and Recreati
President Trump announces Executive Order elevating saltwater recreational fishing President Trump announced the "Restoring America's Saltwater Angling and Recreation" Executive Order in the White House Rose Garden Thursday night. Posted on 19 Sep
Customs enforcement changes to impact imports
Members that serve as the importer of record (IOR) should take the steps now New federal customs policies prescribed in Executive Order 14411: Strengthening Customs Enforcement will significantly affect companies importing fishing equipment, components, and any other products into the United States. Posted on 16 Sep
Canada announces new 50% retaliatory tariffs
The tariff will apply only to goods originating in the United States Canada has announced a new round of retaliatory tariffs that are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, 2026. Of particular relevance to the sportfishing industry, Canada will impose a 50% tariff on U.S.-origin fishing rods. Posted on 2 Sep
Court rules North Carolina violated legal duty
The lawsuit was filed in 2020 by CCA NC and 86 citizen plaintiffs The Wake County Superior Court has ruled in favor of the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina ("CCA NC") and 86 individual citizens in their lawsuit to hold the State accountable for failing to protect North Carolina's coastal fisheries. Posted on 25 Aug
2026 Special Report on Fishing
First decline in fishing participation since 2021 Last week, ASA announced the results of the 2026 Special Report on Fishing. In total, 57 million Americans, roughly 18% of the U.S. population, went fishing in 2025. Posted on 4 Aug