Boost for tackle industry as 2.1m acres across US opened up for fishing

The fishing tackle industry – already enjoying a boom in sales – has received another boost with the news that another 2.1 million acres across the US have been opened up for fishing and hunting.

The increased recreational access to lands and waters managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) was announced by the Department of the Interior and is the most significant expansion ever made by the FWS.

Covering 88 National Wildlife Refuges and one National Fish Hatchery, the move is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, a locally-led, nationwide effort to conserve, connect and restore 30% of lands and waters by 2030.

“Increasing access to outdoor recreation opportunities is essential to advancing the Administration’s commitment to the conservation stewardship of our public lands,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Responsible hunting and fishing helps to promote healthy wildlife habitats while boosting local recreation economies.”

The FWS manages hunting and fishing programmes to ensure sustainable wildlife populations, while also offering other wildlife-dependent recreation on public lands.

This latest decision opens or expands 910 opportunities for fishing and hunting. An opportunity is defined as one species on one field station.

Fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities contributed more than $156 billion in economic activity in communities across the United States in 2016, according to the Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years.

More than 101 million Americans — 40% of the U.S. population aged 16 and older — pursue wildlife-related recreation, including fishing and hunting.

Main picture: Tom Koerner