Why It Matters: There are seven federal agencies under four different cabinet-level secretaries that have some degree of jurisdiction and regulatory authority over what hunters, anglers, and boaters can or cannot do on navigable waters. As a compliment to the MAPWaters Act (H.R. 187) for the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture…
Why it Matters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides important hunting and fishing opportunities across the country. Despite the importance that FWS lands, particularly through the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and the National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS), play for sportsmen and women, there are often inconsistencies between state and federal regulations, as…
Why It Matters: While recreational access to the Gulf of America red snapper fishery has been solved through state-based management, a growing popularity among anglers for other species like deep-water groupers warrants securing recognized access to those fisheries as well. At last week’s Gulf Council meeting, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was in attendance advocating…
Why It Matters – Despite the increase in offshore recreational fishing in recent decades, federal marine fisheries management is still predominately designed for commercial fisheries, where the primary value is in the maximum sustainable number of dead fish to be sold at the dock. The highest value for the nation from recreational fishing, on the…
Why It Matters: Along much of the nation’s coastline, sharks are increasingly intercepting fish being landed by recreational and commercial fishermen, creating frustration for anglers and challenges for fisheries sustainability. The Senate version of the SHARKED Act, a bill strongly supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) which would establish a task force to bring…
Why It Matters: While it is a relatively small state compared to others, South Carolina offers some fantastic fishing experiences which brings in anglers from around the country to enjoy its pristine coastal fisheries. The Palmetto State offers nearly 200 miles of shoreline, loaded with fishing opportunities. Anglers rely on these beaches for various surf…
Why It Matters: Along much of the nation’s coastline, sharks are increasingly intercepting fish being landed by recreational and commercial fishermen, creating frustration for anglers and challenges for fisheries sustainability. The Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act, or SHARKED Act, a bill to establish a task force that…
Why It Matters: It is no secret that the sporting-conservation community has to play a lot of defense in the Northeast. You’ll typically find the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) working hard to defeat proposed legislation that has negative ramifications for conservation and the sporting community vs. and eking out a few pro-sportsmen victories when possible….
Why It Matters: Being a large coastal state, North Carolina offers a broad sampling of hunting, angling, trapping, and shooting sports activities. However, with broad opportunities comes broad responsibilities. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been hard at work in North Carolina this year engaging on a wide variety of sporting conservation issues sure to…
Why It Matters: Rodman Reservoir, constructed in 1968, is a 9,500-acre reservoir in Northeast Florida and is one of the foremost premiere largemouth bass fisheries in the world. For decades, there have been unfounded efforts by environmentalists to destroy Rodman Reservoir in favor of “restoring” the Ocklawaha River with no clearly defined goals or objectives,…
Why It Matters: The sounds and estuaries along the coast of North Carolina are among some of the most diverse and productive marine environments in North America. They provide valuable nursery habitat for many species commonly pursued by both recreational anglers and commercial fishermen. Aligning North Carolina with other Southeastern states in conserving these valuable…
Why it Matters: Many states across the country offer a free fishing day or a free fishing weekend in an effort to give new anglers the opportunity to go outdoors and participate in our time-honored traditions without having to pay the cost of the fishing license. The “try before you buy” approach to free fishing…