Drift Gillnet Ban Enacted 

On January 1, 2023, the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act (S. 273) was enacted. This law bans the use of large mesh drift gillnets in federal waters. Many non-target species, including sportfishing species and marine mammals, were caught in these nets used by commercial swordfish vessels in California. The phase out of this destructive gear is a victory for fisheries conservation. After years of hard work, ASA is pleased to see the bill become law. To learn more, listen to The Politics of Fish Podcast episode with Wild Oceans Theresa Labriola.

EPA Protects Bristol Bay 

ASA Government Affairs 2023 Sportfishing Priorities 

ASA accomplished a lot in the last Congress, but there are still many priorities ahead to advance fisheries conservation, preserve fishing access and promote sound trade and commerce policy. ASA's many 2023 legislative priorities include:

1. Increase youth fishing opportunities through the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act
2. Support reasonable protections for North Atlantic Right Whales
3. Tackle the threat of aquatic invasive species
4. Advance fisheries conservation in the Farm Bill
5. Improve recreation through the Americas Outdoor Recreation Act 

ASA Vice President of Government Affairs, Mike Leonard, details these priorities in a recent video feature. To learn more on Government Affairs, visit ASAs Advocacy page.

ASAs Gary Jennings Part of Coral Reef Initiative 

ASAs Keep Florida Fishing Director, Gary Jennings, was chosen to serve on the Fishing Stakeholder group for the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI). SEFCRI works to address key threats facing coral reefs by bringing government and non-governmental stakeholders together to advance collaborative action in southeast Florida. Coral reefs are essential habitat for sportfish such as Floridas iconic snapper and grouper. Jennings involvement in this initiative reaffirms the need to account for both these species, and recreational anglers, in creating effective conservation measures.

Washington State News

In November 2022, Washington state implemented a non-tribal voluntary gillnet buyback program for the Lower Columbia, Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, resulting in roughly a 70% reduction in the states gillnet permit holders. Oregon has not reduced gillnet use so it's unclear how conservation savings will be calculated. This month, Senate Bill (SB 5297) was introduced in the Washington state legislature, which would prohibit commercial non-treaty gillnetting in the Columbia River mainstem. This bill is intended to reduce impacts to wild steelhead and salmon, ensuring populations experiencing low returns have a chance to recover. Gov. Jay Inslee released his 2023-25 proposed budget, which included critical funding for fisheries, in December 2022. Among his priorities are funding to improve salmon hatcheries and critical habitat. 

NOAA Fisheries Considers Listing Chinook As Endangered 

Endangered Species Act listings are being considered for Oregon Coast chinook salmon and Southern Oregon and Northern California coastal chinook salmon. Twice before, NOAA Fisheries ruled out listing these chinook populations. This time around NOAA Fisheries found the petition, filed by the Native Fish Society, the Center for Biological Diversity and Umpqua Watersheds, presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating the petitioned actions may be warranted. The next step is for NOAA Fisheries to conduct assessments of the populations to decide whether to list or not. NOAA Fisheries has 12 months to conduct a review to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. 

Offshore Wind Energy Update

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released proposed rulemaking to update offshore wind standards. The proposal suggests establishing a five-year offshore wind auction schedule and revising financial assurance terms. BOEM has promised a 60-day comment period on this rulemaking. BOEM made another rulemaking proposal, that would transfer safety and compliance responsibilities to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Both rules are designed to better systematize offshore wind development, a Biden-administration priority.