US tackle industry applauds Trump’s support for saltwater anglers

The body that represents the US fishing tackle trade has applauded President Trump for putting his signature to an historic Executive Order that recognises the country’s15.5 million saltwater anglers.

In front of guests, industry leaders and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the US President announced ‘Restoring America’s Saltwater Angling Recreation, a policy designed to elevate the marine fishing industry as an important consideration in all Federal ocean, coastal and public land decision-making.

“We thank President Trump for this decisive action to improve management and data collection for America’s saltwater fisheries,” said Glenn Hughes, President and CEO of the ASA. “The Executive Order will have long-term benefits for the sportfishing industry and America’s 15.5 million saltwater anglers.”

Under the Executive Order, federal agencies are directed to:

• Modernise recreational fisheries data collection by evaluating outdated survey methods, expanding electronic and mobile reporting and incorporating real-time catch, effort and observational data into federal fisheries management;
• Strengthen State-Federal partnerships and improve the use of state data, including consideration of more precise state recreational catch-and-effort data in federal management decisions;
• Improve recreational fisheries economic data so the economic value of recreational fishing, for-hire fisheries and shoreside businesses are more fully considered in federal fisheries management decisions;
• Advance technology-based approaches to marine mammal avoidance, including directing NOAA to work with the private sector to integrate new technologies that can improve marine mammal detection and avoidance;
• Fast-track artificial reef and habitat creation, including establishing a federal Reef-in-Place Programme for eligible offshore structures and streamlining permitting for qualifying artificial reef projects, and
• Address shark and pinniped depredation and their impacts on recreational fishing by improving research and coordination among federal and state fisheries managers, anglers and the recreational fishing community and advancing management strategies to reduce harmful interactions.

“President Trump is sending a clear message that America’s saltwater anglers matter,” said Jeff Angers, President of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “This Executive Order is a historic recognition of what millions of American anglers and coastal communities have known for decades: marine recreational fishing deserves a management system built for the way Americans fish. By prioritising better data, stronger state partnerships and modern management approaches, this order builds on our conservation gains, creating a path to more reliable access and opportunity in America’s oceans.”

Picture above: Industry leaders joined President Trump at the White House. From left: Frank Hugelmeyer (National Marine Manufacturers Association President & CEO), Glenn Hughes (ASA), Jess Turner (President Outdoor Recreation Roundtable), Brian Nesvick (Director USFWS) and Ben Speciale (President Yamaha Marine).