CURRENT ISSUES July 2010 Learn More

Government Affairs

Looking Out for You Where and When It Counts
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) advocates on behalf of its members, keeping watch on existing and potential laws and polices that significantly affect our members’ business and sportfishing itself. In addition to monitoring emerging polices our Government Affairs staff foster strong relationships with Members of Congress, other conservation and recreation agencies and organizations and state and federal government leaders to ensure that sportfishing interests are represented when policy decisions are made.

Policy Watch
Go to the current edition of ASA’s Policy Watch to obtain the latest information about ASA's Government Affairs activities.

ASA’s Angler Advocacy Efforts to Keep America Fishing
ASA is committed to maintaining fishing access for the 45 million licensed U.S. anglers who support fishery conservation through license fees and taxes paid on sportfishing equipment.

ASA Legislative Action Center
Please consider writing to your senators and representatives on any of the issues below that may interest you or affect your business.

Sportfishing Industry Current Issues
ASA Government Affairs staff monitors existing and potential laws and policies that may have a significant impact for ASA’s members and the sportfishing community. Listed below are issues that ASA is currently tracking.

If you have questions regarding one of these issues or would like more information on an issue not listed here, please contact ASA Policy Fellow Mike Leonard, 703.519.9691, x230.

Access
• Marine Protected Areas

California’s 1999 Marine Life Protection Act
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS)
Establishment of Marine National Monuments
Biscayne National Park
Oregon Marine Protected Areas

• Sportfishing Access in Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area (CHNSRA)
• The Use of Catch Shares to End Overfishing
• Red Snapper Fishery Closed

Conservation
• The Fishery Conservation Transition Act
• Wallop-Breaux Reauthorization
• National Fish Habitat Action Plan
• Restoration of the Klamath River Salmon Populations
• Lead in Fishing Tackle

Tax and Trade
• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008
• Federal Manufacturers’ Excise Tax—2006 IRS Director’s Directive

Issues Archive