ASA Government Affairs Committee Convenes in Harrisburg for Spring Meeting

Pennsylvania is home to 86,000 miles of streams, rivers and lakes and is known for some of the best angling opportunities in the country. With world famous trout streams like Penns and Spring Creek near State College, smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna River, striped bass and American shad on the historic Delaware River, and the bevy of angling opportunities in Lake Erie, there is something for everyone in the Keystone State.

Recognizing the importance of a state like Pennsylvania to the success of the sportfishing industry, it made perfect sense to host this year’s Spring Government Affairs committee meeting in the state capital, Harrisburg. From May 5-9, dozens of industry leaders from around the country flocked to Pennsylvania to strategize for the upcoming year and engage with state policymakers.

Highlighting the week, Government Affairs Committee Chair, Hughes Andry of Sportco Marketing, testified before the PA Senate Game and Fisheries Committee on the economic importance of the sportfishing industry in America. Andry, emphasized the $230 billion that fishing contributes to the nation’s economy and the 1.1 million jobs our industry supports in the U.S. In Pennsylvania alone, recreational fishing contributes $4.2 billion to the economy and employs 32,000 people in both rural and urban communities across the state.

As you might imagine, the ongoing discussions of tariffs on Chinese and other foreign manufactured goods took center stage in conversations. Additionally, the committee discussed recent legislative and regulatory successes. Primary of which was the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) withdrawing its proposed North Atlantic right whale vessel speed restrictions earlier this year. The rule, which would have limited vessels larger than 35’ from traveling faster than 10 knots off the Atlantic Coast for 6 months each year, would have devastated the fishing industry from Maine to Florida and beyond. Following the withdrawal, ASA and our partners will continue to promote sensible technological safety alternatives as opposed to the draconian measures that will have meaningful benefits for endangered whales and the industry.

Additionally, e collectively cheered the timely introduction of the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act by Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) on Wednesday during the meeting. This bill, which has long been an industry priority, would ensure excise tax collection on imported fishing tackle sold directly to American consumers through online marketplaces and help level the playing field for U.S.-based companies while enhancing funding for fish and wildlife conservation efforts.

ASA’s regional fisheries policy directors also provided thoughtful updates on important fisheries issues. In Minnesota, ASA and partners continue to fight back attempts to unnecessarily ban the use of lead tackle. Thanks to continued advocacy and conservation efforts, Californians will enjoy the first recreational ocean salmon fishing season in years. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the most robust recreational Gulf red snapper season in history.

However, uncertainty remains for key issues like bottomfishing access in the South Atlantic. The committee and ASA staff remain steadfast in pushing back against NOAA Fisheries’ Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic, which would prohibit angling for 55 species of reef fish off the Northeast coast of Florida from December through February each year. A final decision on the proposal is expected sometime this summer.

Attendees were also treated to conversations with Tim Schaeffer, Executive Director of the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Nathan Reigner, Director of Outdoor Recreation at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and staff from the office of Governor Josh Shapiro.

To close out the week, ASA staff and committee members donned waders and boots and helped load trout stocking trucks at the Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery, which enjoys tremendous support from the Sportfish Restoration Fund and provides endless opportunities for anglers all over the state. Later, volunteers from the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited served as guides for a morning of fly fishing on Yellow Breeches Creek.

ASA appreciates everyone who made the trip to Harrisburg and to our partners at PFBC for hosting us. We look forward to seeing many of you again at ICAST in July and our annual Sportfishing Summit this October in Key West.