American Sportfishing Association Testifies Before House Natural Resources Committee

Martha Guyas, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. Her testimony emphasized the need for improved access to fishing opportunities and better data to inform responsible fisheries management.

She specifically addressed the ongoing challenges facing red snapper management in the South Atlantic. Due to flawed systems mentioned above, anglers are being subjected to increasingly restrictive seasons, despite strong indications that red snapper abundance is increasing. “The current system overestimates recreational harvest and paints an inaccurate picture of what’s happening on the water,” she explained.

Guyas also called for a modernized approach to fisheries data—one that incorporates state-collected data and gives managers a clearer understanding of stock health. “Better data leads to better decisions,” said Guyas. “Anglers want to be part of the solution, but we need a management system that reflects reality and supports both conservation and access.”

ASA thanks the House Natural Resources Committee for inviting Martha to testify at this important hearing and for prioritizing a focus on the needs of the recreational fishing community.

Before the hearing, Martha joined Fox & Friends First where she stressed the economic and cultural value of recreational fishing. If you missed the segment, click here to watch the recording.

About The American Sportfishing Association

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 55 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 800,000 people.

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