News Category: Fisheries

Why It Matters: Expanding commercial fishing efforts that use indiscriminate gear such as gill nets stands to repeat the harm done by commercial overharvest in the Great Lakes during the twentieth century, damaging Michigan’s fisheries resources, its recreational fishing opportunities, and its outdoor economy.  Highlights:   If passed, Michigan House Bills 5801 and 5802 would expand commercial […]

Why It Matters: National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW) celebrates the important role that fishing and boating play in America’s outdoor heritage, while also highlighting how participation in these activities directly supports fisheries conservation and public access through the American System of Conservation Funding. Free fishing days held during the week provide a unique opportunity for new anglers and families to experience […]

Why It Matters: Since 1950, the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program has provided vital funding to state natural resources agencies for fisheries conservation and boating access. Amended in 1984 (known as the Wallop-Breaux Amendment), the Program got a significant boost in the form of excise taxes on marine and small engine fuels. Now called the Sport […]

America’s anglers celebrate as state-led management advances (May 1, 2026) – Washington, D.C. – Anglers along the South Atlantic coast are celebrating today as President Trump announced the issuance of exempted fishing permits to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The permits advance state-led efforts to improve red snapper management and expand recreational access […]

Why It Matters: Overabundant double-crested cormorant populations are creating growing challenges for fisheries, aquaculture, and habitat health across the country. Providing states with flexible, science-based management tools ensures localized issues can be addressed effectively while maintaining sustainable population levels. This legislation represents a proactive step toward balancing conservation success with on-the-ground realities.  Highlights:  Last week, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Representative Tim Walberg […]

Why It Matters: The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is a cornerstone of the American System of Conservation Funding, delivering critical, dedicated funding to state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries management, boating access, and safety programs. Congressional action is required every five years to maintain the Fund’s revenue streams tied to marine and small engine fuel taxes.  Highlights:  Last […]

Why It Matters: The 2026 general legislative session has kicked off in the “Sportsman’s Paradise”, and legislators have wasted no time in introducing dozens of bills impacting wildlife and fisheries. Among those are reining in the commercial menhaden industry, expanding recreational hunting opportunities, protecting sensitive data from public records requests, and much more.  Highlights:  Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for […]

March 18, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed four legislative priorities for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF): the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act of 2026, the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025, and the Save Our Sequoias (SOS) Act. Thanks to the active work of Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s […]

Why It Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) opposed a previously proposed rule that would have effectively closed access for offshore anglers fishing on vessels 35 feet or longer along the Atlantic coast for much of the year to protect North Atlantic right whales. That proposed rule was seemingly developed in a vacuum without any input from affected stakeholders and, after considerable pressure from […]

Why It Matters: The Department of Justice’s February 17 court brief defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) veto of the proposed Pebble Mine reinforces long-standing protections for one of America’s most important hunting and fishing landscapes – the Bristol Bay watershed. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds the Trump Administration for reaffirming that clean water, healthy fish and wildlife habitat, and…

Why It Matters: Poor recreational catch data has been the Achilles heel for angler access to the highest biomass of South Atlantic red snapper in history. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been encouraging a state-led approach for red snapper management in the South Atlantic since the Gulf Council officially implemented state management in 2020. That time has finally come, […]

A new federal bill could make it easier to turn decommissioned oil rigs into artificial reefs, a move scientists say would boost Gulf fisheries and habitat.