A Look Ahead: Sportfishing Policy Priorities in the New Year
Unquestionably, 2025 was a year marked by uncertainty. From tariffs to the longest federal shutdown in our nation’s history, every week seemed to bring its own surprise. As we start the new year, several outstanding recreational fishing policy priorities remain on the to-do list for the Trump administration, Congress and federal agencies.
Click below to read more about what’s ahead in 2026 and how ASA is working to advance the priorities of the recreational fishing industry.
Continue reading here.
MAPWaters Act Becomes Law
On December 26, President Trump signed the Modernizing Access to our Public Waters (MAPWaters) Act into law. The MAPWaters Act will improve recreation on federal waterways by investing in modern technology to provide anglers, hunters, boaters, and other water users the information they need to safely and legally access and utilize public waters administered by federal agencies.
This newly digitized public information would include:
- Status information on which waterways are open or closed to entry or watercraft, including watercraft inspection or decontamination requirements.
- The areas of waterways with restrictions on motorized propulsion, horsepower, or gasoline fuel.
- Types of watercraft that are restricted on each area of a waterway.
- The location and geographic boundaries of fishing restrictions on recreational and commercial fishing.
- Fishing restrictions concerning specific types of equipment or bait.
Continue reading here.
Tariff Refunds Will Only be Issued Electronically After February 5
Starting February 6, 2026, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will no longer issue tariff refunds via paper checks and instead will ONLY issue refunds electronically through Automated Clearing House (ACH) via the Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal). Instructions to enroll can be accessed by clicking here.
Importers and other related parties are encouraged to enroll before February 5. Similarly, businesses relying on their customs brokers or freight forwarders to conduct their customs business should contact their account manager to ensure a smooth transition.
The change stems from Executive Order 14247 issued March 25, 2025, requiring payments from the U.S. Federal Government be digitized. Subsequent rules guiding CBP’ s implementation of this modernization are outlined in FR Document 2025-24171, and CSMS #67270895.
ASA’s Gary Jennings Reappointed as ASMFC Commissioner
On December 22, Governor Ron DeSantis reappointed Gary Jennings, Keep Florida Fishing Director at ASA, to another 3-year term on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate, which will convene on January 13 for the 2026 Regular Session.
Mr. Jennings was first appointed in 2022. Click below to read the official release from Gov. DeSantis.
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Sen. Husted: Bill protecting Great Lakes fisheries advances to president’s desk
TRCP: Restoring America’s Largest Swamp to Improve Louisiana Fisheries
Outdoor Hub: States See Renewed Push to Restrict Live Bait Sales
Idaho Fish and Game: Fish and Game completes fish survey in the Snake River below American Falls Dam in southeast Idaho.
