Taking kids fishing just a few times creates a lifelong love of the sport!
Please use the resources below to learn more about the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act and how this bill will help your future customers.
Spending time outdoors is so healthy for kids. Studies indicate that just a little bit of time outside daily at a young age has a wide array of benefits including improved physical and mental health and a better understanding of the importance of conservation. Fishing is a perfect way to spend time outdoors, is relatively easy and when learned at a young age, provides a lifetime of enjoyment.
Earlier this year, Congress introduced legislation to create a grant program to fund community-based programs that take children on fishing trips in coastal or Great Lakes waters. This bill will give access to the water to youth who otherwise may never learn to fish or appreciate the outdoors. It is a great first step towards encouraging kids to fish and we need your help moving this legislation through Congress.
What’s The issue
On June 7, 2023, the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act (H.R. 3925) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswomen Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) and a bipartisan group of nine additional Representatives. It was introduced on the same day in the Senate (S. 1860) by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). The bill would create a $2 million grant program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for projects that take children fishing in the ocean or Great Lakes, with priority given to projects that serve underserved communities.
Why It Matters
Studies indicate that children that spend time fishing receive substantial physical and mental health benefits compared to other children. Studies also show that 86 percent of anglers have gone fishing before the age of 12, meaning that if you don’t go fishing while you’re still a kid, the odds are low that you ever will.
While similar grant programs exist within other federal land management agencies, such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, NOAA Fisheries, which manages federal marine fisheries, has no such program. This bill would bring NOAA in line with other federal management agencies and ensure that equal access to nature can be enjoyed by all children.
What ASA is Doing
Introducing new anglers – particularly young people – to recreational fishing is one of the overarching goals of the American Sportfishing Association. ASA is grateful the House and Senate cosponsors of the bill and is partnering with other Members of Congress to seek its passage. ASA has…
- Sent out various publications and press statements on the bill
- ASA President Glenn Hughes also authored an op-ed for the website Real Clear Policy in support of the bill.
- On June 7, 2023, ASA spearheaded a letter of support from 21 outdoor recreation organizations to Representatives Salazar and Kamlager-Dove thanking them for introducing the legislation.
- ASA has also created an Action Alert on our Keep America Fishing platform so our members and the public can send a message directly to their members of Congress in support of the bill.
What You Can Do
Resources
- Handout on the bill for more information.
- If you support kids having more opportunities to go fishing, ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the bill!
- Real Clear Policy: Glenn Hughes’ op-ed: Congress Should Come Together and Support Our Kids Getting Outside
- Image for social media:
Quick Links:
Your company has tremendous reach to anglers who may not be aware of current legislation like the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act that would get kids fishing in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Ask your Members of Congress to support the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act today!
What YOU Can Do
For any questions or to coordinate on this campaign, please contact John Stillwagon.
