ASA rallies to prevent attempts to ban practise used by 65% of US anglers

An animal rights group is attempting to ban a practice that is used by 65% of anglers in the US and responsible for a nationwide spend of $345m.

The goal of an international organisation calling itself Upstream Policies is to ban the use and sale of livebait in US waters to prevent invasive species. To date significant restrictions on the interstate sale and purchase of livebait has been thwarted in Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire and New York.

However, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA)– the industry body for the recreational fishing trade in the country – has issued a warning that the group will continue its efforts. With the support of recreational fishing community partners, it has released a policy brief detailing the efforts of the international organisation.

“The importance of livebait in sportfishing cannot be overstated,” said Connor Bevan, ASA’s Inland Fisheries Policy Director. “As roughly two-thirds of anglers fish with livebait each year, proposed restrictions on the interstate sale would significantly impact fishermen across the country.

“Given existing proven, science-based safeguards, the stringent restrictions proposed by animal rights activists are both unwarranted and harmful to anglers and businesses nationwide.

“For many, livebait serves as a gateway to fishing, helping new anglers of all ages and backgrounds to have successful first trips on the water. Livebait is also particularly important to certain recreational fisheries, including ice fishing, where anglers commonly rely on minnows and shiners to fish effectively.”

Last week Bevan joined representatives of like-minded organisations across the US to discuss the anti-fishing campaign and its proposed restrictions with state legislators. “The ASA thanks its sportfishing community partners for their support and contribution to the report and we will continue to work with them to oppose restrictions on the interstate sale and purchase of livebait in upcoming state legislative sessions,” he added.