ASA adds support to Youth Coastal Fishing Programme Act

With fishing participation high on the agenda across the world, American Sportfishing Association (ASA) member Mike Lum has testified during a House Committee on Natural Resource’s legislative hearing in support of the Youth Coastal Fishing Programme Act 2023.

Lum is also a fundraising coordinator for Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea, which provides educational fishing trips and marine awareness trips for disadvantaged, physically challenged and at-risk young people.

The bill, introduced by reps. Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), supports youth fishing projects by establishing a grant programme under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and prioritising programmes in underserved communities.

The ASA is providing resources to help people learn about the programme and how the bill will help the industry’s future customers.

The bill, introduced last summer in the House of Representatives and the Senate on the same day, would create a $2 million grant programme within the NOAA for projects that take children fishing in the ocean or the Great Lakes.

Studies show that 86% of adult anglers fished before the age of 12, a clear indication that those who don’t fish as a kid are unlikely to join the sport.

“Introducing new anglers – particularly young people – to fishing is one of our overarching goals,” said an ASA spokesperson. “We are partnering with other members of Congress to seek the passage of this bill.”

Association President Glenn Hughes has authored a letter in support of the bill and the Association has spearheaded a letter of support from 21 outdoor organisations to representatives Salazar and Kamlager-Dove thanking them for introducing the legislation.

It has also created an Action Alert on its Keep America Fishing platform so that members and the public can send messages direct to their members of Congress in support of the bill.

Further Information on how to speed the passage off the bill can be found on the ASA website (wwwasafishing.org).