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The body that represents the recreation fishing industry in the US has hailed what has been described as the largest expansion of sport fishing and hunting opportunities in the history of the agency which protects the country’s wildlife and natural habitats.
The Hunt-Fish rule delivers 1,488 new sport fishing and hunting opportunities across 32 states, opening or expanding access at 111 field stations, including 107 National Wildlife Refuges and four National Fish Hatcheries. More than 92 million acres – over 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System land – will now be available for hunting, while sport fishing access will increase at locations that were previously closed or offered limited opportunities.
In a letter to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Connor Bevan (pictured), Inland Fisheries Policy Director at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), thanked the organisation for advancing what he described as ‘one of the most significant expansions of recreational fishing in recent history’.
“The proposed move represents a meaningful and historic commitment to the recreational fishing community and businesses that depend on outdoor recreation,” he said. “With fishing access expanded, the Hunt-Fish rule will welcome more anglers outdoors, supporting the significant economic impact made by sport fishing as well as thousands of American manufacturers, retailers and small businesses.”
He also welcomed the fact that anglers may use traditional fishing tackle – including lead jigs and sinkers – at venues where restrictions on such gear were due to be banned. “Not only would these restrictions have forced anglers to choose between more costly or less effective tackle, but they were neither supported by scientific evidence nor consistent with state management.”
The US Department of Interior said the new Hunt-Fish rule will simplify more than 1,000 existing regulatory provisions and better align federal rules with state fish and wildlife laws, reducing confusion for anglers and creating greater consistency across refuges and hatcheries – an important consideration for newcomers and occasional participants as well as regular anglers.
“America’s hunters and anglers now have something significant to look forward to,” said Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum. He added that the administration was working with states to expand public land and water access while reducing regulatory burdens.
US Fish & Wildlife Service Director, Brian Nesvik, added that the new opportunities would support outdoor recreation and local economies, while remaining compatible with conservation goals.
The scale of the opportunity is substantial. According to the Service’s latest National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, more than 39.9 million Americans fish and 14.4 million hunt, with the activities contributing more than $144 billion annually to the US economy.
National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries are already important assets for the recreational fishing sector. The refuge system encompasses 573 refuges and 38 wetland management districts, while the hatchery system raises and releases millions of fish annually to support recreational fisheries, restore native species and fulfil tribal trust responsibilities.
Main picture: US Department of the Interior.
