Recreational Fishing & Boating Groups back forage fish bill to promote robust sportfish populations

Recreational fishing © National Marine Manufacturers Association

Last week, the recreational fishing and boating community applauded the introduction of the Forage Fish Conservation Act by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The legislation would require that the role forage fish play in the marine ecosystem be accounted for when federal fisheries managers set catch limits on these small but important fish.

"Implementing responsible conservation practices for forage fish is essential to the long-term wellbeing of marine ecosystems and we thank Senators Richard Blumenthal and Roy Blunt for addressing this critical issue," said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. "Healthy and sustainable forage fish and sportfish stocks are equally important to the recreational boating and fishing community and this measure is a major step toward protecting both of these critical populations."

"For years, the recreational fishing community has advocated for better conservation of our nation's forage fish populations because a healthy forage base fuels healthy sportfish populations," said Mike Leonard, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association. "We commend Sens. Blumenthal and Blunt for their commitment to strengthening the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act with these science-based forage fish conservation measures."

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