On June 7, 2023, U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), along with Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2023. The bill would create a grant program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for projects that take children fishing in the ocean or Great Lakes, with priority given to projects that serve underserved communities.
“Recreational fishing provides substantial physical and mental health benefits, but unfortunately many young people – particularly in underserved communities – face significant barriers in accessing the outdoors,” said Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), who added “The grants provided through this bill will go a long way to remove those barriers and help children develop a love of fishing.”
The bill would provide $2 million in grants over each of the next five years for projects that include a recreational fishing experience for youth, offer education about marine science and conservation and provide information on where or how to fish. While other federal land management agencies, such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, have dedicated programs to connect the public to nature, there is no such recreation program within NOAA Fisheries which manages federal marine fisheries.
“We should be encouraging young Americans to get involved in fishing,” Wicker said, adding “Our legislation will help remove barriers to accessing the outdoors and ensure that more young anglers, especially those in underserved communities, have the opportunity to enjoy this beloved pastime.”
ASA encourages those who wish to learn more about this proposed federal legislation to visit the Keep America Fishing website at keepamericafishing.org.
