Recent News
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At the recent Sportfishing Summit, ASA was proud to recognize Kathy Fennel, Executive Vice President and General Manager at @majorleaguefishingofficial with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to the sportfishing industry.
Kathy’s leadership, integrity, and vision have left an enduring mark on our community, and we were honored to celebrate her as the newest member of the Sportfishing Industry Hall of Fame.
As she steps back to focus on her health, the entire sportfishing family joins together in support and gratitude.
#majorleaguefishing #bassfishing #ASAFishing #sportfishingcommunity #KeepAmericaFishing
Yesterday, ASA President and CEO Glenn Hughes, and Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Leonard, met with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs and NOAA Chief of Staff Laura Grimm. We discussed opportunities to improve data collection and access for the benefit of the nation’s $82 billion saltwater recreational fishing industry.
ASA remains committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community.
Fresh gravel now lines California’s Merced River, rebuilding the spawning habitat salmon and steelhead need to return. This restoration is powered by the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, which has funded habitat restoration projects like this for 75 years. But the program expires in 2026, and without reauthorization, vital work like this could stop.
Visit our Action Center, and urge Congress to reauthorize this critical conservation program. 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐈𝐎
📸 @usfws
Last week, 188 sportfishing businesses from across the country submitted a joint letter to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) urging decisionmakers to maintain the half-mile buffer for commercial menhaden fishing off the state’s coast. Despite the overwhelming support from anglers and the recreational fishing industry, Commissioners passed the Notice of Intent on a 4-3 vote. However, this rule making is not final, and LWFC will accept additional comments from December 19 to January 23 ahead of their next meeting.
Stay tuned for more ways you can make your voice heard.
Today, Florida requested an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) from the Secretary of Commerce that would empower the state to manage red snapper off its Atlantic Coast. The announcement comes after years of hardship for anglers and the recreational fishing industry in the South Atlantic where NOAA has implemented short seasons despite lacking justification from fisheries survey data.
The EFP calls for a 39-day season in 2026 off Florida’s coast with expectations to expand following better data collection by the state. Full release 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘
Fish unintentionally caught and killed in the Gulf as bycatch by industrial menhaden operations.
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Feds want to close bottom fishing in the South Atlantic.
Feds want to close bottom fishing in the South Atlantic.
Efforts are underway to prevent the use of lead tackle for fishing despite scant evidence that using lead has a harmful impact on wildlife populations.
Striped bass are one of the most important fisheries on the Atlantic coast. In fact, striped bass are the most caught saltwater fish in terms of pounds by recreational anglers.
Since taking office, the Trump Administration is taking many actions on tariffs that impact the sportfishing industry, ASA is monitoring, weighing in with the Administration & Congress.
