Why it matters: There are many forms of gear employed by commercial fisherman to harvest target species of fish. However, some gears such as large-mesh drift gillnets often result in unintended bycatch, most of which is discarded dead and left to waste. For this reason, large-mesh drift gillnets have been eliminated as a commercial gear…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Northeastern States Manager Why it Matters: Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical blue laws, but in recent years, much progress has been made towards lessening these restrictions. In Maryland, Sunday hunting for all game birds and mammals on Sundays is authorized in select counties, but…
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Why it Matters: Menhaden are a critical part of the coastal ecosystem serving as an important forage food for many recreationally important species such as redfish, speckled trout, and southern flounder, among others. The establishment of a menhaden catch limits and reporting requirements would help conserve menhaden and support…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Manager, Northeastern States Why it Matters: Legislative and administrative efforts that encourage and expand the abilities of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers by increasing access and opportunities have the potential to immediately bolster financial support for state fish and wildlife agencies, thus supporting their mission-driven conservation projects. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation…
Why it matters: Just as they are in the Gulf of Mexico, red snapper are an extremely popular reef fish in the South Atlantic. Unfortunately, the population has been subject to overfishing and is currently under a rebuilding plan. As the population rebuilds, anglers encounter more and bigger red snapper, though the federal program that…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States, Assistant Manager Why it Matters: As the fourth largest state in the nation, it is often a difficult task to bring legislators and conservation partners from across Montana to one place, particularly in off session years. Therefore, the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Advisory Council decided to take this…