On September 17, 2026, President Trump issued an executive order called Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation. As per the intro paragraph in Section 1, the purpose and policy of this directive is to ensure America’s recreational fishing remains strong by appropriately prioritizing both recreational and commercial fishing at the federal management level. “From saltwater anglers and offshore boaters to charter operators, the recreational fishing industry is a strong driver of our Nation’s outdoor economy,” the executive order states, the president referencing how America’s outdoor recreation sector generates over $1.2 trillion annually while supporting over 5 million jobs.
There’s a lot to digest in this 2,000-word edict, which is why I think it’s best to spend a couple of weeks poring over the verbiage with help from trusted friends in the recreational fishing community. As such, I plan to have a more comprehensive analysis in the November print edition of The Fisherman (if you have thoughts, email me at jhutchinson@thefisherman.com).
I’ve already seen comments from green groups and bureaucratic sympathizers how this executive order panders to an angling industry focused only on short-term profits. Attacking “business” and “business interests” has become a popular strategy for radicals, an easy way of dismissing any message. But before you hop aboard that “industry is bad” bandwagon I’d ask you to consider very carefully where the recreational fishing industry gets its feedback; that answer is you!
Every saltwater angler needs fishing gear, some more than others. And if you’re fishing with rod and reel, hooks, lines, lures or baits, invariably you’ll end up inside a local bait and tackle shop. There, after gathering up your goodies and heading to the checkout, the person behind the register will probably smile and ask something somewhat trivial, like “did you find everything you need,” or “is there anything else I can get for you?” How many of you respond with something along the lines of “how about a better fluke and sea bass season,” or “sure, can you do something about the brown sharks in the surf?”
The shopkeepers with whom I speak on a regular basis tell me what anglers are saying, and the answers come as no surprise given the number of individual saltwater anglers I also get to speak with. We’ve all said it – the recreational data collection compiled at the federal level by NOAA Fisheries is horrible; individual states should get more involved with data collection; we need more artificial reefs; the government should use modern technology for anglers and boaters to address key management problems; the shark abundance issue is out of hand; and of course, the commercial sector gets all the national attention over anglers.
All of these items are addressed specifically in the executive order, which ultimately directs NOAA Fisheries to work out it out with individual states and members of the recreational fishing industry. And those industry folks, whether charter and for-hire, or tackle shops and manufacturers, are getting their feedback directly from the consumer, which is you.
Insurance companies and medical professionals get customer feedback all the time; and yes, that “feedback” goes into a deep, dark, black hole. These are business in which we’re required to participate, which essentially leaves us with nowhere to turn for a redress of grievances. On the other hand, bait and tackle is a choice. We choose to fish, and we share our thoughts and concerns with industry professionals, hoping for change. At first-read, I like to think that someone at the federal level must have been listening.
I don’t care if you love the president, dislike the president, or despise the president with every fiber of your being, this executive order is a pretty big deal and requires our individual attention and due diligence. On that front, I hope to have more in the November monthly edition of The Fisherman, especially for you.
