Alexandria, VA: The sportfishing industry applauds the passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act (S. 3791) by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The bipartisan legislation received unanimous approval and includes ASA priorities to bolster fish habitat protections and improve access to fishing.
“The ACE Reauthorization Act will continue to support proven conservation programs in the Chesapeake Bay and beyond,” said Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association. “Programs like the National Fish Habitat Partnership and the Chesapeake Bay Program are foundational to the $148 billion sportfishing industry and America’s 54.5 million anglers.”
As mentioned, ACE Reauthorization reauthorizes the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP), a voluntary, non-regulatory and locally driven program that funds fish habitat projects. The bill authorizes $10 million per year for the program.
Since 2006, NFHP has supported over 1,300 projects in all 50 states. These habitat improvements provide direct benefits to anglers and the sportfishing industry.
Additionally, the ACE Reauthorization protects the use of traditional fishing tackle by banning regulations on lead tackle by the EPA through at least 2030.
“We’d like to thank Chairman Carper, Ranking Member Capito, and the rest of the Committee for realizing the benefits these programs have for anglers and businesses that rely on intact fish habitat and clean water,” said Leonard.
Many provisions of the ACE were authorized in 2020 and would expire in 2025.
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