American Sportfishing Association

“It’s not just about the fish caught, or the ones that got away, but the love that binds us together as a family united in a common passion.” ?? By leveraging the collective reach of anglers worldwide, Fishing Share the Fun aims to create a ripple effect, inspiring more people to discover, or rediscover, the thrill of casting a line and reeling in unforgettable moments on the water with family and friends.?https://lnkd.in/gKiYaV5t ? ?? We need your help and challenge you to get involved this summer! 1??Share “The Gift of Fishing” video on social media 2??Share your fishing story and inspire others 3??Use?#FishingShareTheFun?on your social media posts! 4??Take a friend fishing! #kidsfishing #fishingsharethefun #keepamericafishing

Earlier this month, ASA’s Southeast Fisheries Policy Director, Martha Guyas, joined world leaders in Cyprus for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Guyas, who is serving as the Alternate Commissioner and representing recreational fishing interests for the U.S. delegation, spearheaded efforts to secure the adoption of a comprehensive conservation and management measure for Atlantic Tropical tunas as well as the first agreed framework for future management decision-making for Atlantic swordfish. Guyas and her U.S. counterparts also negotiated achievements related to monitoring, control, and surveillance in ICCAT fisheries which would strengthen controls and safety measures for independent observers and oversight of transshipment activities to protect the health and sustainability of important fish stocks. Read the full recap from NOAA Fisheries: https://lnkd.in/eweEZrY6

Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced S. 3123, the Modernizing Access to our Public Water (MAPWaters) Act, bringing us one step closer to improving access and stewardship for our nation’s waterways. This bill will digitize key data about federal waterways—like fishing access, boat ramps, and restrictions—making it easier than ever for anglers to plan trips and stay informed.

BREAKING: Outdoor recreation contributed $1.2 trillion (2.3% of GDP) and 5 million jobs (3.1% of all employment) to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.? ? New data in this year’s report also shows that the outdoor recreation economy has grown 36% in real terms since 2012. ? ? “The new BEA data highlights outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of our economy, generating jobs, supporting small businesses, and providing essential opportunities for Americans to engage with the outdoors for health, connection, and quality of life,” said Jessica (Wahl) Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “This release should signal to policymakers and leaders across the country that investing in outdoor infrastructure and access must remain a national, bipartisan priority. We urge this Congress to take swift action to pass the EXPLORE Act, a widely supported package of bills that will help to ensure that all Americans have access to the outdoors and support the communities and businesses that rely on recreation economies." Read more about this year's release: https://lnkd.in/eD8S3rac

New economic data released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that fishing and boating is the # 1 contributor to the outdoor recreation economy. “This BEA data proves what the fishing industry has always known – outdoor recreation is an economic force in the United States and is only getting bigger. Lawmakers have the opportunity to put this data to use by crafting policy that supports and promotes access, habitat improvement, and clean water to benefit our outdoor recreation economy.” -Glenn Hughes, President - ASA Thank you to Outdoor Recreation Roundtable for hosting this event.

NEW ANNUAL OUTDOOR RECREATION DATA: On Wednesday at 11 AM EST we'll unveil new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on the economic impact of outdoor recreation nationwide and in the states. We'll be joined by leaders from the outdoor industry and U.S. Congress to unpack this year's Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account and identify priorities to help the outdoor recreation economy reach its potential for years to come. Register for the webinar at the link in the comments!

Last week, the South Florida Water Management District celebrated the completion of a massive Flow Equalization Basin, marking a critical step in restoring Florida's iconic Everglades. This 11,000-acre-foot reservoir will filter and clean water before it flows south, protecting our ecosystems and improving water quality. Gary Jennings, Keep Florida Fishing Director, said: "This is where the clean water starts, and we’re going to be able to fish here, so we’re really looking forward to that too." Clean water means healthier habitats for fishing and recreation—vital for Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World! https://bit.ly/4fy7Nzv

Advocating for adequate conservation funding is one of the most important facets of our work at ASA. Federal land management agencies perform critical conservation work despite lagging funding authorization levels. Outdoor recreation contributes 2% to U SGDP, yet only receives 0.16% of federal funding – a nearly 14x difference in scale. Agencies including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corp of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and NOAA Sanctuaries rely on adequate funding for public land management and access, fisheries stock assessments, accurate data, fish hatcheries, fish habitat restoration and more. In our recently released “The Future of Sportfishing: Policy Recommendations from the Recreational Fishing Community,” 17 community partners called on the next Administration to provide adequate funding to support our fisheries and land management agencies and the programs our community relies upon. Learn more about our recommendations to improve fishing, access, and conservation. https://bit.ly/4huQjFN American Catfishing Association | Backcountry Hunters & Anglers | B.A.S.S., LLC | BoatUS | Bonefish & Tarpon Trust | Center for Sportfishing Policy | Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation | Coastal Conservation Association | Guy Harvey Foundation | International Game Fish Association | Major League Fishing | Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) | National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) | National Professional Anglers Association | Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership | Trout Unlimited

Walk with us inside the New Product Showcase. Every year, you see the awards and hear the accolades. But what’s it really like inside the most hyped section of ICAST? The New Product Showcase kicks off with a reception on Tuesday night—before the show floor opens on Wednesday. Inside, buyers and media members vote for the products they feel are the most worthy of recognition among their peers. ?? Secure your booth now and showcase your innovations at ICAST, July 15-18, 2025! https://lnkd.in/eKTbFjga #ICAST | #ICASTSHOW | #ICAST2025

Did you know? -- Recreational fishing contributes approximately $2.6 billion to Washington's economy and supports over 16,000 jobs! As the Governor and Legislature gear up for budget negotiations, ASA and our members are advocating for critical investments in: ?? Salmon and steelhead monitoring & management ?? Pinniped predation control ?? Hatchery programs These programs are essential for meeting conservation goals and sustaining Washington’s thriving sportfishing economy. Read our recent letter advocating for fisheries management funding >>> https://lnkd.in/ewEMYs8q