American Sportfishing Association: Trump election and recreational fishing


Alexandria, VA
 – In response to the 2016 presidential election, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association that represents the sportfishing industry, released the following statement from Scott Gudes, vice president for Government Affairs.

“Recreational fishing is one of our nation’s most popular traditional outdoors sports with 46 million Americans fishing every year and that includes members of the Trump family.

In addition, America’s anglers generate more than $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.

While it is hard to predict what will transpire over the next four years, our industry is comprised of small businesses that depend on solid fisheries conservation management and public access to public fishery resources

Our industry also supports a fairer tax burden and less federal business regulation. We are optimistic that a Trump administration will be supportive of these concepts.

We are also pleased that many sportfishing champions were re-elected to the House and the Senate. In our experience, support for recreational fishing and conservation is bipartisan.”