Why It Matters –A recent Presidential Executive Order provided a formal opportunity for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and others to weigh in on how we can better manage our marine recreational fisheries. Highlights: 1 million marine recreational anglers support 691,565 jobs and annually contribute $138 billion in sales impacts to the U.S. economy. Recreational fishing…
(October 15, 2025) – Washington, DC – Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Mike Ezell and Marc Veasey, along with CSC Vice-Chair Congressman Troy Carter, have introduced the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act – priority legislation for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) that will facilitate the conversion of decommissioned offshore oil and gas infrastructure that foster…
Why It Matters: With more than 7 million anglers pursuing Atlantic striped bass, it is the most economically and culturally important recreational fish species from North Carolina to Maine. It is vitally important to communities along the mid and upper Atlantic Seaboard that striped bass are sustainably managed for abundance and access by the angling…
Why It Matters: July 11th and 12th marked the beginning, and the end, of the 2025 South Atlantic red snapper season. Unfortunately, anglers have been subjected to a federal management model in the South Atlantic that rewards a rapidly rebuilding red snapper population with few red snapper fishing opportunities. A decade ago, anglers faced a…
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….