AFWA to Host April 2 Congressional Briefing on the Lacey Act

AFWA Joins the Recreational Fishing and Boating Community in Calling on Congress to Revamp Marine Fisheries Management

Leaders map out path for federal marine fisheries conservation. 

Congress is currently revising the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the law that governs our nation’s marine resources. Recreational saltwater anglers and the sportfishing and boating industries are intensifying efforts to ensure that their social, conservation and economic priorities are well represented in the legislative process.

Today, in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill, the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management co-chairs, Johnny Morris, founder and CEO, Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president, Maverick Boats, briefed members of Congress and media on the commission’s recommended changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The commission, composed of scientists, former agency administrators, environmentalists, industry representatives and economists, wants to ensure that saltwater recreational fishing becomes a priority of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

“Our commission offers a clear path to better stewardship of America’s marine fishery resources,” said Morris. “Today we ask Congress to join us on that path. We extend the invitation on behalf of all current anglers and future generations of anglers who will enjoy our nation’s resources for many years to come.”

Previewed in February during the 2014 Progressive Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Fla., A Vision for Managing America’s SaltwaterRecreational Fisheries outlines recreational fisheries management issues that need to be addressed in the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization.

“This is the first time that the recreational fishing and boating community has set forth a comprehensive vision,” Deal said. “I’m honored to be a part of this effort and proud to help lead our collective industries in ensuring that Congress hears our voices.”

The economic impact of saltwater angling in the U.S. is considerable. In 2011, approximately 11 million Americans saltwater fished recreationally, spending $27 billion in pursuit of their sport. That activity generated more than $70 billion in economic output and sustained 450,000 jobs. Anglers contribute more than $1.5 billion annually to fisheries habitat and conservation via excise taxes, donations and license fees alone.

Throughout 2013, members of the blue ribbon commission met to deliberate and debate strategies to improve saltwater recreational fisheries management. A wide range of experts and other stakeholders, including economists, scientists, federal and state agency administrators, environmentalists, charter captains and individual recreational anglers, were invited to meet with the commission to provide information and advice on a variety of fisheries management issues. The report reflects their input.

“Our nation’s marine fisheries and their management needs vary widely from Alaska to Florida to coastal New England. Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act is important to the stateside toolbox for delivery of conservation- and recreation-based marine fisheries programs,” said Ron Regan, executive director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “We commend the Morris-Deal Report for its thoughtful groundwork in thinking through visionary improvements for the future, including stock rebuilding timelines.”

“We look forward to increasing state flexibility in meeting their marine fisheries conservation objectives through reauthorization of the Act.”

“The Magnuson-Stevens Act established a management system for commercial fisheries, which has made great strides in ending commercial overexploitation of our marine fisheries,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation. “However, for more than three decades it has focused primarily on commercial fishing. It’s time for Congress to do something for saltwater recreational fishing.”

A Vision for Managing America’s SaltwaterRecreational Fisheries identifies six key policies that would achieve the commission’s vision. Those recommendations primarily focus on the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

The recommendations include:

• Establishing a national policy for recreational fishing
• Adopting a revised approach to saltwater recreational fisheries management
• Allocating marine fisheries for the greatest benefit to the nation
• Creating reasonable latitude in stock rebuilding timelines
• Codifying a process for cooperative management
• Managing for the forage base

"Congress should establish a national policy to promote saltwater recreational fishing,” said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “In addition, Congress must open the ‘rusted-shut’ door of marine fisheries allocation to achieve the greatest benefit to the nation.”

Contributors to the work of the commission include the American Sportfishing Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Berkley Conservation Institute, Center for Coastal Conservation, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, International Game Fish Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and The Billfish Foundation, as well as Bass Pro Shops and Maverick Boats. 

> Comment on this landmark report via Twitter #MarineVision2014. 

Thank You Hunters, Sport Shooters, Anglers and Boaters for Financially Supporting State Fish and Wildlife Conservation in 2014

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will distribute nearly $1.1 billion in excise tax revenues to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund conservation through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds are not taxpayer dollars derived through federal income taxes. These funds are raised through excise taxes levied on bows and arrows; guns and ammunition; fishing tackle and equipment; and electric outboard motors and motor boat fuels. The taxes are paid upfront by manufacturers, producers and importers of taxable equipment, and in turn, paid for by sportsmen and women.

The financial support from America’s hunting, shooting sports, fishing and boating community through their purchases of taxable gear and hunting and fishing licenses is the lifeblood for funding fish and wildlife conservation, comprising approximately 80% of a state fish and wildlife agency’s annual budget.

According to DOI, the total distributions to state agencies this year are $238.4 million higher than last year because of the inclusion of funds that were not distributed in 2013 because of the government sequester, as well as an increase in excise tax receipts from sales of firearms and ammunition in the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.

The Wildlife Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 is a record $760.9 million. The Sport Fish Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 is $325.7 million, which is lower than last year’s due to lower domestic fishing equipment excise tax receipts.

State agencies use Wildlife Restoration Trust Funds to reintroduce declining species; survey wildlife populations; conduct species research; provide hunter education; acquire wildlife habitat; and develop public shooting ranges.

State agencies depend on Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds to fund fish research; reintroduce declining sport fish species; restore aquatic habitat such as coastal wetlands; offer aquatic education; construct boat ramps and fishing piers; and provide boating access.

All told, the Trust Funds benefit every American by providing cleaner and healthier environments, public safety education and access for outdoor recreation.

According to data from the latest national survey, wildlife-related recreation was a $145-billion dollar economic driver enjoyed by 90 million people—38% of the U.S. population age 16 and older—in 2011. This level of outdoor activity and Americans’ spending on taxable gear and trip-related expenses supports thousands of jobs in industries and businesses connected to fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, boating and the observance of wildlife, especially in rural communities.

> Read DOI's press release and view astate-by-state table of FY 2014 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Fund apportionments

State Fish & Wildlife Agency Directors Approve Slate of National Conservation Needs for the 2015 Multistate Conservation Grant Program

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' National Grants Committee reviewed 13 proposed National Conservation Needs (NCNs) and recommended the approval of 11 NCNs for the 2015 cycle of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. NCNs are the foundation of the multistate program and establish the states’ funding priorities for the grant cycle.

State fish and wildlife agency directors approved the list of 11 at AFWA's spring Business Meeting held March 14, 2014 during the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. The MSCGP funding opportunity/letter of intent solicitation will be posted the week of March 24.

2015 Multistate Conservation Grant Program NCNs

NCN 1: Outdoor Heritage – Participation, Recruitment and Retention in Hunting, Fishing, Boating and Conservation-related Recreational Activities; Enhanced Relations among State Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Related Industries

NCN 2: Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination

NCN 3: Improve Benefits for Fish, Wildlife, and their Habitats through Evaluation of Efficacious Management Strategies for Feral Swine

NCN 4: Strengthening the National Fish Habitat Partnership

NCN 5: Incorporating Fish and Wildlife Considerations into Energy Development Decisions

NCN 6: Policy and Legislative Advocacy – Implementing Goal 2 of AFWA’s Strategic Plan

NCN 7: Strengthening State Fish and Wildlife Agency Capacity to Understand and Respond to Changing Trends in Constituent Values and Demographics

NCN 8: The 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation (National Survey)

NCN 9: Protecting State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Ability and Authority to Manage and Conserve Furbearers through Regulated Trapping Programs

NCN 10: State Fish and Wildlife Agency Coordination and Administration

NCN 11: Improve Benefits for Fish, Wildlife, and their Habitats as the 2014 and Future Farm Bills are Implemented 

The MSCGP was established in 2000 by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act, which amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. AFWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) cooperatively administer the Multistate Conservation Grant Program.


> Read the full description of each NCN


> Learn more about the Multistate Conservation Grant Program

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Concerned about Major, Unexpected Cut to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program in the President's FY15 Budge

The successful and popular State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program was targeted for a 15% cut in the Administration's budget released on March 4, 2014. The proposed cut would drop funding to state fish and wildlife agencies to$50 million for the next fiscal year, down from $58.7 million this current fiscal year. State and Tribal Wildlife Grants are critical to state agencies for funding on-the-ground conservation to prevent fish and wildlife from becoming endangered. 

The cut to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program was unexpected since overall spending in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service budget is higher than last year.  Similar cuts were not made to other grant programs.

On March 18, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies President Dan Forster sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on behalf of the Association expressing AFWA's disappointment with the 15% cut to the program. 

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program has endured a 35% cut since FY10, despite being the only federal grant program with the specific purpose of preventing expensive, last-ditch recovery efforts once a species is listed as federally endangered.  The program has successfully prevented new federal listings and is used by states and their partners to implement Congressionally mandated State Wildlife Action Plans that prioritize species conservation. 

Each state, territorial and district state fish and wildlife agency is a recipient of formula-based State Wildlife Grant funding. The  program is supported by the more than 6,400 organizations that make up the national Teaming With Wildlife coalition, representing millions of birders, hunters, anglers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The Association implores Members of Congress, at a minimum, to continue the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program at its current funding level.