The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 20 on the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Regardless of partisan preference or political leanings, a new incoming American president can have real-world impacts on the state of the recreational fishing community.
Mike Leonard, vice president of government affairs at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) – the trade association for the recreational fishing industry – recently outlined several priorities that the industry hopes to see elevated within the Trump Administration to help support conservation efforts, promote angler access, and encourage economic growth within the $148 billion recreational fishing sector.
“Chief among these is a commitment to science-based fisheries management, which is essential for maintaining clean water and healthy fish populations,” said Leonard, adding “We hope to work alongside the Administration and the next Congress to ensure that our nation’s fisheries are managed sustainably to provide robust recreational opportunities for anglers across the country.”
Leonard also noted that enhancing access to fisheries, particularly those on federally managed lands and waters, is also a key priority for the recreational fishing community over the next 4 years. “By expanding and improving access for recreational anglers, we can help more Americans enjoy time on the water and bring new people to our sport,” he said.
Additionally, increased conservation funding remains a central focus of ASA efforts on behalf of the recreational fishing community. “Adequate funding for land management agencies, fish habitat restoration and expanded access will improve the health of our waterways and ensure our fisheries thrive for generations to come,” said Leonard, adding “By proactively managing environmental challenges, we can protect our waters from factors like pollution and habitat degradation that threaten both fish populations and the angling experience.”
Leonard went on to add that ASA is hoping to see policies that support growth and technological innovation within the recreational fishing sector. “Our industry supports almost 950,000 jobs and is the cultural and economic lifeblood of many local communities,” he said.
In terms of fisheries, inland and freshwater access and conservation concerns are part of the Department of Interior and its U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, while saltwater fishing issues fall under the U.S. Department of Commerce and its National Marine Fisheries Service, or NOAA Fisheries. The incoming president has tabbed former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior, while Long Island native Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, is set to become the Secretary of Commerce.
Another Long Island native and longtime saltwater angler, Lee Zeldin, was picked by incoming president Trump to become the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. In his first year in office back in 2011 as a state senator in New York, Zeldin successfully secured a repeal of the state’s saltwater fishing license fee.
