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

ASA’s Inland Fisheries Policy Director, Connor Bevan, joined Representative Pete Stauber in Grand Rapids, MN, for a visit with Todd Hammill and the Wired2fish team! The tour of their facility and studios sparked great discussions about the fishing industry, excise taxes, and the 75-year legacy of the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Reauthorizing this critical program remains a top priority, along with addressing key fishing policy issues in Minnesota and around the country. A big thank you to Rep. Stauber for his support of anglers and the sportfishing industry! #ASAFishing #SportfishingCommunity

A walk through the aisles of ICAST is like a stroll through the future of fishing. New innovations are on display at every turn. New industry insights are the talk of the town. And thousands of brand new products are the stars of the show. ? THIS is where tackle dealers go to see the latest and greatest new products before they hit store shelves. And this is where they go to get special deals on those products only available on the show floor. ICAST is BACK for 2025–set for July 15-18 in Orlando. Registration for ICAST 2025 is ongoing ?? at ICASTFishing.org. #ICAST | #ICASTSHOW | #ICAST2025

More than 75 sportfishing businesses from around the country signed a joint letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick opposing the large area closures included in NOAA's Amendment 59. This area closure, which would prohibit recreational angling for 55 species of reef fish from December through February each year off a large portion of the Florida Atlantic coast, will have detrimental long-term impacts on coastal communities in the Southeast, small businesses, and the wider recreational fishing industry. Read letter: https://lnkd.in/e74Nxqhd

This #GlobalRecyclingDay, we’re celebrating sustainability in sportfishing with ASA's?FishAmerica Foundation?and?Hobie? Eyewear! ?????? The new?Hull Float sunglasses?feature frames made from?100% upcycled kayak plastic—giving new life to a byproduct of the?Hobie Kayak?manufacturing process. Plus, a portion of proceeds from every pair sold supports?conservation projects nationwide?through the?FishAmerica Foundation. With a renewed focus on?growing FishAmerica’s impact, we’re excited to collaborate with more industry partners to support conservation, research, and angler retention. Discover Hull Float ?? https://lnkd.in/eMxMndMJ #FishAmericaFoundation #sustainability #conservation

Effective March?13, 2025, the Government of Canada is imposing 25?percent tariffs on $29.8?billion in products imported from the U.S., including fishing rods, hooks, nets, lines, and other tackle. While negotiations between the two countries continue and may lead to an easing of these tariffs, the newly announced retaliatory tariffs are in effect. In the announcement, Canada explained that these new countermeasures would remain in place until the U.S. eliminates its tariffs against Canadian steel and aluminum products. Click the link ?? to visit ASA’s Trade & Commerce hub for the most up-to-date information on how tariffs are impacting the sportfishing industry. https://lnkd.in/eNjJqvqp

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act (MAPOceans), co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Angus King (I-ME), passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Technology Committee on March 12. This priority sportfishing legislation would require NOAA to develop publicly available mapping data that improves access for anglers and boaters in America’s oceans. Improvements in mapping data will allow recreational anglers to have real-time information at their fingertips through existing mapping technologies, including access sites, gear or season restrictions, and closed areas. The?MAPWaters Act, a companion bill to improve mapping technologies on lands and waters managed by the Forest Service and Dept. of Interior, passed the House of Representatives in January.

??Today’s the FINAL DAY to submit your public comment on Amendment 59 and the proposed bottomfishing closure! NOAA Fisheries’ Secretarial Amendment to the Snapper - Grouper fishery in the South Atlantic would prohibit recreational fishing for 55 species of reef fish each December through February off the coast of Northeast Florida. Large area closures like this will cause irreparable harm to the sportfishing industry and coastal communities in the region. Tell NOAA to withdraw the bottomfishing closure from the amendment. https://lnkd.in/e_xEqMsn

Sportfishing fuels our economy and protects the waters we love! As policymakers make decisions regarding conservation and fisheries management, it is essential to recognize the industry’s economic contributions and ensure continued investment in clean water, abundant fisheries and access to both. Explore the impacts in your state with our newly released Sportfishing in America report. ???? https://lnkd.in/eqnrUd-4 #ASAFishing #SportfishingCommunity #KeepAmericaFishing

ASA mourns the passing of former House Natural Resources Committee chairman Raul Grijalva. He leaves a legacy of championing conservation efforts, including his support for landmark legislation like the EXPLORE Act, America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, Great American Outdoors Act, Modern Fish Act, Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, and many more during his tenure in leadership on the committee. His presence on Capitol Hill and in his home state of Arizona will be missed.