Modern Fish Act Slow, But Continuing

Progress on Modern Fish Act Slow, But Continuing

Washington, D.C.  – The Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP) has updated its Modern Fish Act Progress Report, which grades how the federal government is implementing the law in terms of timeliness, stakeholder input and substance.

The Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018 (Modern Fish Act) recognizes that recreational and commercial fishing are fundamentally different activities and should be managed accordingly and adds more appropriate management tools for policymakers to use in managing federal recreational fisheries.

“The Center for Sportfishing Policy and its partners continue to make progress with NOAA Fisheries on the implementation of the Modern Fish Act,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “We are encouraged by steps federal fisheries managers have taken to recognize commercial and recreational fishing as fundamentally different endeavors. Nevertheless, challenges remain and not every aspect of this critical law is fully implemented. We will remain vigilant in our oversight of this historic undertaking.”

“The Modern Fish Act was a significant piece of legislation that recognized the differences between recreational and commercial fishing and provided more appropriate tools for managing recreational fisheries,” said Mike Leonard, vice president of government affairs for the American Sportfishing Association. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to build on the current progress to fully implement the Act and secure meaningful management improvements for America’s saltwater anglers.”

“The Modern Fish Act of 2018 recognized the importance of recreational angling in federal fisheries management for the first time,” said Chris Horton, senior director of fisheries policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “While implementation of the Act has been slow, we are encouraged by ongoing efforts of the regional fishery management councils, as well as recent discussions with NOAA Fisheries, on ways to better manage the recreational component of mixed-use fisheries.”

Various federal entities are responsible for the implementation of the Modern Fish Act, which has been interrupted by a government shutdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit CSP’s Modern Fish Act Progress Report page to learn where the government is on track and where it is not, http://www.sportfishingpolicy.com/2019-modern-fish-act-implementation-progress-report/.