Recent News
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Maryland is proposing a revised striped bass recreational season baseline that would increase angler access from 83% to 92% of the year, restore access in April when catch-and-release survival is high, and maintain protection of spawning grounds.
Show your support! 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐈𝐎
Last week, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina requested Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) for red snapper off their respective coasts. These EFP’s will help the states collect data on population health, fishing effort and discards and are the first step toward taking over management of this economically and culturally important fishery.
Later in the week, the Congressional South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force, led by @reprutherfordfl, sent a letter to the Secretary of Commerce in support of the state EFP requests.
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
Fish unintentionally caught and killed in the Gulf as bycatch by industrial menhaden operations.
Working for YOU
We take care of the politics so you can concentrate on growing your business.
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.
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.
Feds want to close bottom fishing in the South Atlantic.
Feds want to close bottom fishing in the South Atlantic.
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.
