Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

Sportfishing Industry applauds introduction of MAPOceans Act

by American Sportfishing Association 21 Feb 18:04 UTC

Yesterday, Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the MAPOceans Act. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association for the nation's recreational fishing industry, appreciates this bipartisan effort to improve public access and publicly available information on federally managed marine waters.

"Navigating the complex web of fishing regulations, anchoring limitations and restricted areas can be challenging for America's anglers and boaters," said Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the ASA. "The MAPOceans Act would help American's nearly 9 million saltwater anglers access marine waters with more confidence, ensuring that recreational information is easily accessible through marine electronics, mapping apps, and online platforms. On behalf of the recreational fishing industry, we thank Senators Cruz and King for their leadership on this important legislation."

Once enacted, MAPOceans tasks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to digitize and make available location data related to federally managed waters, such as no-wake zones, anchor restrictions, or vessel speed restrictions. It will also include navigation information and real-time fishing restriction information, such as no-catch zones and full or partial closures.

Additionally, MAPOceans directs NOAA to coordinate with community partners and fisheries commissions to ensure the data is updated regularly, remains accurate and is compatible with consumer technology.

The MAPOceans Act is a companion to the previously introduced MAPWaters Act (S. 3123), which directs the Department of Interior to undertake a similar process in making maps and regulations digitally available for federal land management agencies such as the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

Related Articles

What have marine protected areas accomplished?
10-year review by California Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests that hopes were misplaced More fish, more sustainable fisheries, and an ecosystem better protected from threats was the promise of the Marine Life Protection Act and the 124 MPAs now in place in California. Ten years on, what have they accomplished? Posted on 8 Oct
Key Fisheries Bills adcance
Sportfishing industry applauds House Natural Resources Committee The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association representing the sportfishing industry, celebrates the recent advancement of three critical pieces of legislation by the House Natural Resources Committee Posted on 24 Sep
Sportfishing priorities included in FY 2025
House Appropriators introduced and quickly passed out of committee two funding bills Last week, House Appropriators introduced and quickly passed out of committee two funding bills that contain numerous provisions benefiting the sportfishing community. Posted on 2 Jul
ASA testifies on Fisheries Data Modernization
Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2024 (H.R. 8705), introduced by Rep. Garret Graves Martha Guyas, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director at the ASA, testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries on the importance of accurate data in marine fisheries management. Posted on 27 Jun
Keep Florida Fishing applauds Florida Budget
Supporting water quality and conservation, more than $850 million for Everglades projects Keep Florida Fishing today applauded Governor Ron DeSantis for signing the Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 budget that includes funding for numerous projects and initiatives that will support fisheries habitat and water quality in Florida. Posted on 17 Jun
Lake Ontario designated National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA designated 1,772 square miles of eastern Lake Ontario the 16th National Marine Sanctuary ASA engaged throughout the designation process to ensure that fisheries management authority would not be impacted by the designation, and anglers would continue to be allowed access. Posted on 13 Jun
Single day South Atlantic Red Snapper Season
Reinforcing need for substantial management changes Recreational fishing access for the highly abundant red snapper fishery continues to be unnecessarily constrained by federal management. Posted on 12 Jun
Farm Bill proposals include sportfishing priority
ASA and partners are advocating for the inclusion of sportfishing priorities Recently, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released their respective frameworks for the 2024 Farm Bill Reauthorization. Posted on 11 Jun
Congressman Bruce Westerman joins ASA
The most pressing topics facing the sport today Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and ASA's VP of Government Affairs, Mike Leonard, touch on a few of the most pressing topics facing the sport today Posted on 4 Jun
The Great Red Snapper Paradox
The federal season for red snapper in 2024 is expected as maybe two days The federal season for Atlantic red snapper in 2024 is expected to be maybe two days, or perhaps no season at all. Posted on 29 May
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER