For 89 years, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has advocated on the sportfishing industry’s behalf when legislation, policies or trade decisions are introduced which could have a positive or negative impact on our members’ businesses and our nation’s anglers. From the passage of major federal legislation to working with state and regional policymakers on important...
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) manages striped bass cooperatively with the other East Coast states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The latest assessment released in 2019 showed that striped bass are overfished primarily owing to the relatively poor year classes (the number of young born and surviving in a certain...
The Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act) requires persons on commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use when fishing for reef fish species in Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The effective date of...
A San Diego County judge recently imposed a $5,000 fine on a Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) operating in a Marine Protected Area (MPA), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced. It was the first implementation of increased commercial poaching fines and penalties under Assembly Bill 2369, authored by San Diego Assemblywoman Lorena...
Despite being one of the largest and most high-profile fisheries on the East Coast, there are still gaps in our understanding of Atlantic menhaden. This is especially true in their northern range, in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. But this winter, a new project will look specifically to count menhaden in these areas, shedding new...
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced [on January 12] that they will hold a wind auction next month for more than 480,000 acres offshore New York and New Jersey, in the area known as the New York Bight. For perspective, this is an area 2/3 the size of Yosemite National Park or 5...
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced today [January 12, 2022] that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold a wind auction next month for more than 480,000 acres offshore New York and New Jersey, in the area known as the New York Bight. Secretary Haaland was joined by New Jersey Governor Phil...
Due to the increasing cases of COVID-19 and concerns about travel delays, the January 24-27, 2022, meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will be completely virtual. To join the virtual meeting, register for the webinar. Public testimony will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 2:15-5:30 PM CST. To provide public testimony,...
Striped bass have long been a central part of the Commonwealth’s fisheries and remain an immensely popular target of anglers whether they prefer a boulder beach lit by the moon, trolling umbrella rigs along a reef, or casting flies and tossing artificials into a frenzied blitz. This long-sustained passion for striped bass is also an...
The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) initiated a new program to prevent delays during the transport of watercraft destined for the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The program, “Call Before You Haul,” provides a toll-free phone number boat transporters can call prior to transporting watercraft from outside the Pacific Northwest to one...