Sportfishing Industry Contributes to Huge Investments In Conservation and Recreation
by Janet Tennyson
More than $265 million will be provided to state fish and wildlife agencies for conservation and recreation programs in the coming year, thanks to the sportfishing industry's role in collecting special excise taxes on fishing gear and another excise tax on motorboat fuels. The sportfishing industry's behind-the-scenes efforts are a major catalyst for fisheries restoration, fishing and boating access facilities, and outdoor education across the country.
"The interests of business and environmental protection are often viewed as conflicting, but that couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to the sportfishing and boating industries," said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "We know outdoor recreation is a dividend of our strong investments in conservation."
Under provisions of the Sport Fish Restoration Act, one of the nation's most longstanding conservation laws, sportfishing manufacturers set aside a percentage of the value of their product sales and provide this amount to the U.S. Treasury for eventual dispersal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Combined with the motorboat fuel taxes, this money is then apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies each year, based on each state's land and water area and the number of fishing license holders.
Commonly called Wallop-Breaux after the Congressional co-sponsors of the Sport Fish Restoration Act amendments of 1984, the law provides a huge source of revenue for fisheries conservation and recreation programs throughout the nation. The combination of revenue from Wallop-Breaux excise taxes and fishing license sales makes up the vast majority of state fish and wildlife agencies' fisheries budgets. Under the law, these monies must be used for fisheries restoration and habitat enhancement, access facilities such as piers and boat ramps, and fishing education and boating safety programs. Since 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration Act has raised more than $4 billion.
The American Sportfishing Association takes a lead role on the American League of Anglers and Boaters, a coalition of 32 organizations that oversees Wallop-Breaux investments and ensures that anglers, boaters, and industry interests are represented during Congressional reauthorization of the law. On behalf of its member companies, the American Sportfishing Association not only works to ensure strong investments in conservation and recreation, but also clarity and fairness in excise tax administration.
With the Sport Fish Restoration Act up for reauthorization this year, the American League of Anglers and Boaters is advocating for continued investments for sportfish restoration, expanded investments in the Water Works Wonders campaign to promote fishing, and permanent and full funding for boating safety.
The American Sportfishing Association is the leading recreational fishing trade association, uniting 500 members of the sportfishing and boating industries, state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association initiates and supports efforts to advance healthy fisheries, fishing opportunities, and a profitable sportfishing industry.
