The Politics of Fish

To learn more about the bill visit: https://asafishing.org/youth-fishing-program-act/

For more information on Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea program visit: https://captainrollos.org/

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about CSF visit: https://congressionalsportsmen.org/

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about striped bass management, listen to our previous episode: "ASA's Mike Waine Talks Striped Bass"

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org/

And finally, to learn more about the topics discussed in todays episode, visit: https://www.ccamd.org/ and http://www.asmfc.org/

In the summer of 2022, several net spills in the Chesapeake Bay created some momentum in the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to do something about the many problems associated with commercial menhaden fishing. The result was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that describes certain areas and times of the year where purse seine fishing for menhaden will be prohibited.

Steve Atkinson, President of the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, provides background on what led to the MOU, what is and is NOT expected to come from the MOU and what more needs to be done to address conservation concerns.

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

Connor Bevan, ASA's Inland Fisheries Policy Manager, talks with host Mike Leonard about improving aquatic invasive species (AIS) management and policy. AIS alter natural ecosystem, reduce biodiversity and degrade waterways. All of this amounts to impacts on fishing opportunities. ASA and several partners released a report recently with recommendations for improving prevention, eradication, control and mitigation of AIS. This is the first step in the process to combat AIS and improve fisheries.

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

On March 8, 2023, ASA's Southeast Fisheries Policy Director, Martha Guyas, testified on the importance of sound fisheries policy before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The oversight hearing, titled, “Benefits and Access: The Necessity for Multiple Use of Water on Resources,” included discussion on the multiple needs and benefits of water resources throughout the United States, including fishing and fishery-related topics. Guyas began by showcasing the various ways that fishing benefits conservation, jobs and the U.S. economy. See ASA's press release to learn more. 

In conversation with host, Mike Leonard, Guyas describes the experience of testifying before Congress and all of the prep that went into providing written and oral testimony. 

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about BTT's work, visit: https://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about BoatU.S. visit https://www.boatus.com/ and https://www.boatus.org/

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

Charter Captain and Member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Andy Mezirow, led efforts to reform the halibut quota system in the Gulf of Alaska. In conversation with host, Mike Leonard, Mezirow details why the charter sector was willing to buy halibut from the commercial and explains how the Recreational Quota Entity, which facilitates the purchase and transfer of quota, works.  

 At the end of 2022, funding for the Alaskan halibut catch-share program was passed as part of the omnibus spending bill. Compensated reallocation in Alaska will allow the recreational sector to acquire more quota, enhancing opportunity and access. This is a novel approach and the rest of the country is watching to see how it plays out. 

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

Theresa Labriola, Pacific Fisheries Program Director at Wild Oceans, talks to host Mike Leonard about California's drift gill net fishery and the recent legislative success of the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act. The conversation provides context on the fishery's history and the advocacy efforts that led to the passage of the new law and the phase out of destructive gear. 

To learn more about Wild Oceans, visit their website: https://wildoceans.org/

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about CSP visit https://www.sportfishingpolicy.com/

Policy issues discussed in episode:

• Modern Fish Act
• Mid-Atlantic harvest control rule 
• Gulf and South Atlantic red snapper managment
• Right Whale vessel speed restrictions

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about TRCP visit https://www.trcp.org/

 For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

George Cooper, Partner at Forbes-Tate Partners, provides an overview of the midterm elections and how the results impact the recreational fishing community. In conversation with host, Mike Leonard, Cooper also details his professional background and why he likes working with ASA and the recreational fishing industry.

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Bill Shedd, Chairman and CEO of American Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO), spoke with host Mike Leonard about his background, the importance of giving back to the resource and the changes he has seen over the years in approaches to marine conservation. 

On Thursday, October 27, Shedd was presented with the inaugural Gary J. Zurn Conservation Award at the 2022 ASA Sportfishing Summit. The award is named for long-time ASA supporter and Government Affairs committee Chair, Gary Zurn, who passed unexpectedly in August 2021. Like Zurn, Shedd has worked tirelessly to conserve fisheries, benefiting anglers and the industry. 

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Gary Jennings, ASA's Keep Florida Fishing Director, talks with Host Mike Leonard about how he ensures recreational fishing thrives in Florida. During their discussion, Jennings describes his background, the formation of Keep Florida Fishing and the development of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary restoration blueprint. 

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Podcast host and ASA Vice President of Government Affairs, Mike Leonard, provides an update on federal legislative activity, highlighting two recently introduced bills: The Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act  and the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act. After the update, Leonard talks with ASA Southeast Fisheries Policy Director, Martha Guyas, about South Atlantic red snapper. Guyas gives a rundown of a recent South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting, where bottom fishing closures for red snapper were discussed. 

Take action of the issues mentioned in this episode:

• Voice your support for Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act here. 
• Voice your support for the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act here. 

Learn more about red snapper here. 

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

John DePersenaire of Viking Yachts spoke with host Mike Leonard about a proposed regulation to limit vessel speeds along a vast swath of the Atlantic coast. The proposed regulation, in NOAA Fisheries' words, "would expand mandatory speed restrictions to include vessels 35 to 65 feet long and broaden seasonal speed restriction zones." NOAA Fisheries said the proposed changes are part of the federal agency's attempt to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. 

The recreational fishing community fully supports protecting North Atlantic right whales, but believes there are far more effective ways to help the species. Speed restrictions are difficult to enforce and vessel strikes are incredibly rare. This regulation would negatively impact various stakeholders, including the recreational fishing and boating community, while likely doing little to help North Atlantic right whales in a meaningful way. 

Submit comments on the rule here.

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

For more information about NFHP, visit the website at https://www.fishhabitat.org/

Contact Ed Schriever (ed.schriever@idfg.idaho.gov) or Mike Leonard (mleonard@asafishing.org) if you want to get involved. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation visit https://www.cbf.org/

For more info on Atlantic Menhaden visit https://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/chesapeake-wildlife/menhaden/index.html and https://keepamericafishing.org/menhaden/

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about RBFF's work, visit https://www.takemefishing.org/

To read their annual report, visit https://annualreports.takemefishing.org/

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Kaden McArthur, Government Relations Manager at Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), speaks with host Mike Leonard about a recent bill that would undermine the Wildlife Restoration Program, which exists thanks to the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. 

Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09) and 53 cosponsors introduced the RETURN our Constitutional Rights Act, which would eliminate the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Hunters and the firearms industry lobbied for the creation of this excise tax, authorized in 1937, making the proposed elimination puzzling. While the proposed legislation offers a replacement for the tax, the replacement would be a cut to recent levels of funding. 

All this is to say, don't mess with a good thing - a highly popular user-funded conservation model that hunters and anglers are passionate about. Luckily, McArthur and Leonard don't think this bill will gain much traction. 

This bill does not make any changes to the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, however, the precedent it sets underscores the importance of organizations, like ASA and BHA, having a presence on Capitol Hill to represent the interests of hunters and anglers. 

For more about BHA visit their website and listen to their podcast here. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

To learn more about red snapper and the access challenges anglers face, visit Keep America Fishing. 

For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit ASA's website. 

This special edition of the podcast is a recording of the webinar, "Sportfishing Spotlight: An Insider’s Guide to the Critical Policy and Legislative Issues Affecting our Industry," which aired on June 16, 2022. You can also watch a recording of the webinar on ASA's YouTube channel. 

Hosted by ASA’s VP of Government Affairs Mike Leonard, the webinar features the entire ASA Government Affairs team as they discuss the top national and regional issues affecting the sportfishing industry. In addition, the webinar includes an exclusive preview of the midterm elections by ASA lobbyist and political expert George Cooper of Forbes-Tate Partners. The webinar concludes with an interactive question-and-answer session.

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Sam Snyder of the Wild Salmon Center talks with host Mike Leonard about the economic, cultural, and environmental importance of Alaska's Bristol Bay fishery. It is the last great sockeye salmon fishery of its kind, in addition to being home to rainbow trout, bears, and more of Alaska's incredible wildlife. 

Pebble Mine is a proposed copper and gold mine that would be built at the headwaters of Bristol Bay. It is estimated that about 96% of the material mined would be considered waste. With so much waste, the threat of damaging acid mine drainage and further degradation of this habitat is predicted. Conserving the habitat is critical because it is spawning ground for salmon. Likewise, damage to the watershed could damage the economy, as Bristol Bay is a major worldwide fishing destination. 

The EPA is expected to set restrictions on Bristol Bay that would make it impossible for Pebble Mine or any other large-scale mining operation to operate. This is exciting news that would protect Bristol Bay once and for all. 

Take action to conserve Bristol Bay's iconic fishery by visiting the Wild Salmon Center and Keep America Fishing. By adding your name to these support letters, you will encourage the EPA to act urgently. 

For more information about RAWA visit https://keepamericafishing.org/recovering-americas-wildlife-act/ and https://ournatureusa.com/

For more information about AFWA visit https://www.fishwildlife.org/

And for ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

Jesse Simpkins is Vice President of Marketing at St. Croix Rods and the chair of ASA's Board of Directors. Simpkins' love for fishing began in childhood. Both of his grandfathers fished and shared their love of the sport with him. Before he entered the sportfishing industry, Simpkins was asked during a job interview what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Without skipping a beat, Simpkins said he wanted to be paid to talk about fishing and hunting. Fast forward a few years and Simpkins achieved that goal by working at Plano. After many years and a great career with Plano, Simpkins left for an opportunity at St. Croix Rods. 

Simpkins doesn't have a lot of time for people who just sit and talk about sportfishing policy. He wants to see engagement. Practicing what he preaches, Simpkins has dedicated his time and energy to advancing sportfishing and sportfishing policy with ASA. In conversation with host, Mike Leonard, Simpkins discusses the importance of engagement and bringing the sportfishing community together through ASA. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is a coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations. By bringing together various outdoor recreation stakeholders from recreational fishing to the RV and education communities and beyond, ORR promotes the growth of the whole outdoor recreation economy and outdoor recreation activities.  

Jessica (Wahl) Turner is ORR's President. After graduating from Georgetown University, Turner started her outdoor recreation career at the Department of Interior where she managed external relations for the Secretary, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside and Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiatives. Before leading ORR, Turner directed the Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) outdoor recreation portfolio in Washington D.C. Under Turner's leadership, ORR has successfully brought together the outdoor recreation industry and advocated for the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act and achieved millions of dollars in funding for public lands, waters and rural gateway communities.

In conversation with host, Mike Leonard, Turner discusses her career, the importance of bringing together the outdoor recreation industry, and ORR's diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, Together Outdoors. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Chris Macaluso is the Center for Marine Fisheries Director for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP). He works with partner organizations to advance habitat restoration efforts across the Gulf of Mexico and improve federal fisheries management law and policy. 

Menhaden are an integral part of the food web for sportfish and the largest volume fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. Management of the fishery, however, has been lax. Macaluso talks with host, Mike Leonard, about why conservation-based management is needed and provides an update on state legislation in Louisiana.  

If you are interested in Gulf menhaden advocacy, you can contact Macaluso at cmacaluso@trcp.org

You can view images of menhaden fishing in the Gulf here. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Read ASA's press release about Phillips' hire here. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Chris Horton is the Senior Director of Fisheries Policy at the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), an organization dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. In response to the Biden Administration's “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve 30 percent of national lands and waters by 2030, CSF created the Hunt Fish 30x30 Coalition. The coalition raises awareness about the critical role hunting and fishing play in conservation and advocates for solutions that allow hunting and angling to continue this legacy. 

Horton and host Mike Leonard talk about the different ways conservation is being defined to create federal and state 30x30 policies, supporting and undermining the importance of recreational fishing in the process. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Guy Harvey is well known for his depictions of marine life, especially marlin and other sportfish species. Guy's interest in the marine environment, however, extends beyond art to science and conservation. He holds a Ph.D. in fisheries biology and actively supports marine scientific research through the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Institute at Nova Southeastern University. Similarly, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation funds scientific research and educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment. 

In conversation with host Mike Leonard, Guy discusses his childhood in Jamaica, his foundation's new education initiative and his views on marine conservation. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

On Tuesday, February 15, the American Sportfishing Association hosted a webinar with U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA). Representative Wittman is one of Congress’ biggest anglers and has been a champion of recreational fishing and conservation throughout his tenure. He also serves on the House Natural Resources Committee. 

In this audio release of the webinar, Rep. Wittman provides us with an inside view into what Congress is doing to advance conservation and sportfishing. Rep. Wittman discusses some current events in U.S. politics, such as manufacturing, supply chain issues and the national implications of the recent Virginia gubernatorial race.

You can also view this conversation on YouTube. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

View the graphics mentioned in this episode, here. 

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Going to ICAST or the Sportfishing Summit 

Subscribing to ASA emails 

Following ASA's work at https://keepamericafishing.org/ 

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