Recreational Fishing and Boating Community
Calls on Congress to Revamp Marine Fisheries Management
Leaders map out path for federal marine fisheries conservation
Washington, D.C. – March 26, 2014 – Congress is currently revising the MagnusonStevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the law that governs our nation’s
marine resources. Recreational saltwater anglers and the sportfishing and boating industries
are intensifying efforts to ensure that their social, conservation and economic priorities are
well represented in the legislative process.
Today, in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill, the Commission on Saltwater Recreational
Fisheries Management co-chairs, Johnny Morris, founder and CEO, Bass Pro Shops, and
Scott Deal, president, Maverick Boats, briefed members of Congress and media on the
commission’s recommended changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The commission,
composed of anglers, scientists, former agency administrators, conservationists, industry
representatives and economists, wants to ensure that saltwater recreational fishing
becomes a priority of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
“Our commission offers a clear path to better stewardship of America’s marine fishery
resources,” said Morris. “Today we ask Congress to join us on that path. We extend the
invitation on behalf of all current anglers and future generations of anglers who will enjoy
our nation’s resources for many years to come.”
Previewed in February during the 2014 Progressive Miami International Boat Show in Miami,
Fla., A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries outlines recreational
fisheries management issues that need to be addressed in the Magnuson-Stevens Act
reauthorization.
“This is the first time that the recreational fishing and boating community has set forth a
comprehensive vision,” Deal said. “I’m honored to be a part of this effort and proud to help
lead our collective industries in ensuring that Congress hears our voices.”
The economic impact of saltwater angling in the U.S. is considerable. In 2011,
approximately 11 million Americans saltwater fished recreationally, spending $27 billion in
pursuit of their sport. That activity generated more than $70 billion in economic output and
sustained 450,000 jobs. Anglers contribute more than $1.5 billion annually to fisheries
habitat and conservation via excise taxes, donations and license fees alone.
Throughout 2013, members of the blue ribbon commission met to deliberate and debate
strategies to improve saltwater recreational fisheries management. A wide range of experts
and other stakeholders, including economists, scientists, federal and state agency
administrators, environmentalists, charter captains and individual recreational anglers, were
invited to meet with the commission to provide information and advice on a variety of
fisheries management issues. The report reflects their input.
“The Magnuson-Stevens Act established a management system for commercial fisheries,
which has made great strides in ending commercial overexploitation of our marine
fisheries,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation. “However, for
more than three decades it has focused primarily on commercial fishing. It’s time for
Congress to do something for saltwater recreational fishing.”
A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries identifies six key policies
that would achieve the commission’s vision. Those recommendations primarily focus on the
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The recommendations include:
 Establishing a national policy for recreational fishing
 Adopting a revised approach to saltwater recreational fisheries management
 Allocating marine fisheries for the greatest benefit to the nation
 Creating reasonable latitude in stock rebuilding timelines
 Codifying a process for cooperative management
 Managing for the forage base
"Congress should establish a national policy to promote saltwater recreational fishing,” said
Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “In addition,
Congress must open the ‘rusted-shut’ door of marine fisheries allocation to achieve the
greatest benefit to the nation.”
Contributors to the work of the commission include the American Sportfishing Association,
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Berkley Conservation Institute, Center for Coastal
Conservation, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation,
International Game Fish Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Theodore
Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and The Billfish Foundation, as well as Bass Pro Shops
and Maverick Boats.
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