A broad coalition of leading recreational fishing and boating organizations are applauding progress made in elevating the importance of saltwater recreational fishing in the nation’s primary law governing marine fisheries management.
In April, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources approved H.R. 1335, a bill sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The bill addresses top priorities of the recreational fishing community that were identified by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management, also known as the Morris-Deal Commission, after Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris and Maverick Boats president Scott Deal.
In 2014, the Morris-Deal Commission released “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries,” which includes six key policy changes to produce the full range of saltwater recreational fishing’s social, economic and conservation benefits to the nation.
“The nation’s 11 million saltwater recreational anglers have a $70 billion economic impact annually and support 450,000 jobs,” American Sportfishing Association president and CEO Mike Nussman said. “However, federal marine fisheries management has never sufficiently acknowledged the importance of recreational fishing to the nation. H.R. 1335 would enact many of the necessary changes to elevate saltwater recreational fishing to the level it deserves.”
Full Press Release at ASAFishing.org
