Federal Funding Bills Include Sportfishing Industry Priorities

There are hundreds of federal programs that impact recreational fishing, all of which require funding. As Congress talks more and more about cutting federal spending, it’s critically important that groups like the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) fight to ensure that the programs supporting the nation’s $148 billion recreational fishing economy aren’t on the chopping block.

The federal government has a large role in public land management, as their oversight and management efforts include fisheries data collection, habitat restoration, invasive species control, marine infrastructure and much more. All these programs and efforts mean that we at ASA have a lot to keep track of!

For the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) appropriations cycle, ASA is supporting numerous funding requests for the types of programs mentioned above. Among those programs, we are focused primarily on the three priorities:

• Funding essential technology to track North Atlantic right whales while preventing economically devastating vessel speed regulations from going into effect;
• Maintaining the longstanding prohibition on EPA regulating lead fishing tackle; and
• Supporting full funding for the National Fish Habitat Partnership.

Over the past few weeks, Congressional appropriators have been releasing and advancing each of the twelve individual appropriations bills. ASA is pleased to see that our top three priorities are being meaningfully addressed.

North Atlantic Right Whales

Both the House and Senate Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies Appropriations Bills contain language pushing back against NOAA’s well-intentioned, but poorly developed, plan to expand vessel speed restrictions in the Atlantic to all vessels above 35 feet in length. The House CJS bill includes language supported by ASA and our partners that fully funds a near real-time monitoring and mitigation program for the North Atlantic right whale. Additionally, the language prohibits NOAA from making changes to existing speed restrictions until the monitoring program is completed and can inform smarter approaches to prevent vessel strikes.

The Senate CJS bill report included language similarly supporting funding for the monitoring and mitigation program and encouraging NOAA to work with affected stakeholders, such as the fishing and boating community, before finalizing any changes to existing speed restrictions.

ASA is thankful to the many Members of Congress who supported this request, especially Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.).

Regulation of Lead Fishing Tackle Under the Toxic Substances Control Act

Periodically, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) receives petitions to ban lead fishing tackle nationwide under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). While these petitions have consistently been rejected due to a total lack of merit, each one is a roll of the dice and the sportfishing industry must fight to ensure the right decision is made.

For the past several years, the Interior appropriations bill has included language that would prohibit EPA from using any funds to restrict lead fishing tackle under TSCA. Thankfully, this language continues in the FY24 House Interior appropriations bill. We are thankful to full committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) and subcommittee chair Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) for maintaining this important safeguard for the recreational fishing community.

Funding the National Fish Habitat Partnership

ASA has been actively involved in the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) since its inception, including successfully advocating for the program to be authorized as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act. NFHP is a nationwide program that supports local on-the-ground fish habitat restoration projects for the benefit of fisheries conservation and enhancing fishing opportunities.

The House Interior appropriations bill report includes a record $7,164,000 for NFHP. Considering these projects are matched many times over by state, local and non-governmental funds, this federal “seed” money goes a long way toward improving the health of the nation’s aquatic habitat. In addition to Chairs Granger and Simpson, ASA thanks Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) for their support of NFHP.

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While the appropriations process will continue to play out over the coming months, ASA is pleased to see our top appropriations priorities well positioned in the early stages. Stay connected with us through our emails and social media for updates on these and other fisheries policy issues!