The Politics of Fish

On this special edition episode, we’re talking taxes! Specifically, the federal excise tax on fishing equipment, which is paid by manufacturers and importers of fishing tackle and goes into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. These funds are then used on projects to create more and better fishing opportunities, like habitat restoration, maintaining fish hatcheries and building boat ramps. ASA recently held a webinar with a couple of experts in excise tax compliance to walk through the nuances of how fishing tackle companies can ensure they are meeting their excise tax obligations. What's provided here is the audio from that webinar. Learn more about the federal excise tax on sportfishing equipment at https://asafishing.org/sportfish-restoration-excise-tax/ For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy, visit: https://asafishing.org

Josh Phillips, Owner and President of Spawn Fly Fish, joins host Mike Leonard to talk about his background, his experience starting a fly shop in the small town in coastal Washington of Ilwaco, and recently testifying before the Small Business Committee in the US House of Representatives. The hearing focused on the challenges of small business entrepreneurs in rural areas, and Josh provided some insightful testimony on issues that people in more populated areas may take for granted, like broadband access, local banking options and the high cost of essential services. He was also able to make the connection of the importance of sustainable natural resources and fishing businesses like his. Learn more about Spawn Fly Fish at https://spawnflyfish.com , and follow Josh's impressive Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/fishingjosh/ For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org

Dr. Kesley Banks with the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M Corpus Christi joins host Mike Leonard to talk about sharks, and specifically shark depredation. Kesley shares insights on the overall state of shark populations in the U.S., what’s contributing to increases in shark depredation and what she and other researchers are doing to better understand the issue. Learn more about shark depredation, and recently introduced federal legislation to help address the challenge at www.asafishing.org/shark-encounters Learn more about the Harte Research Institute at www.harteresearch.org

Podcast host Mike Leonard discusses three bills recently introduced in Congress that impact a wide range of recreational fishing policy issues. First is the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act, a bill referenced in a recent podcast episode that will help introduce more kids, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to fishing. Next, a bill titled the SHARKED Act that will mitigate the increasing challenge of shark depredation - when a shark eats your catch before you can land it. Finally, Leonard discusses the Protecting Whales, Human Safety and the Economy Act, which would prevent a disastrous new rule from going into effect that would effectively shut down the Atlantic coast to boating for half the year, until technology comes on board that can better help avoid whale strikes. To learn more and to contact your Members of Congress in support of these bills, visit https://asafishing.org/advocacy/keep-america-fishing/

Mike Lum, Fundraising Coordinator for Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea program, talks with host Mike Leonard about his work organizing youth fishing trips. The trips are designed to connect youth with no prior fishing experience to the sport. Lum shares stories of the life-changing power of fishing and explains how the program fosters the next generation of anglers. A recently reintroduced bill, the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act, would ensure that more programs like Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea receive federal funding. To learn more about the bill visit: https://asafishing.org/youth-fishing-program-act/ For more information on Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea program visit: https://captainrollos.org/ For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org/

Chris Horton, Senior Director, Fisheries Policy at the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), speaks with host Mike Leonard about how the Farm Bill can benefit fisheries. CSF and ASA have been leading partners in a new initiative called Fisheries in the Farm Bill, which amplifies the value of Farm Bill conservation programs for fisheries. Farm Bill is one of the federal government's largest investments in conservation, and includes efforts that contribute to clean water, healthy fish habitat, and fishing access. To learn more about CSF visit: https://congressionalsportsmen.org/ For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org/

David Sikorski, Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association Maryland and Legislative Proxy for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), spoke with host Mike Leonard about a recent striped bass management action. Sikorski describes what the action means for the long-term regulatory stability and striped bass conservation. To learn more about striped bass management, listen to our previous episode: "ASA's Mike Waine Talks Striped Bass" For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit: https://asafishing.org/ And finally, to learn more about the topics discussed in todays episode, visit: https://www.ccamd.org/ and http://www.asmfc.org/

In the summer of 2022, several net spills in the Chesapeake Bay created some momentum in the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to do something about the many problems associated with commercial menhaden fishing. The result was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that describes certain areas and times of the year where purse seine fishing for menhaden will be prohibited. Steve Atkinson, President of the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, provides background on what led to the MOU, what is and is NOT expected to come from the MOU and what more needs to be done to address conservation concerns. For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

Marc Gorelnik wears many hats. He is General Counsel for ASA and involved with various California fishing organizations including Coastal Conservation Association of California, Coastside Fishing Club and Golden State Salmon Association. Water challenges, from drought to agricultural usage, are harming salmon populations. Gorelnik and the organizations he works with fight to conserve salmon facing a dire future. For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/

Connor Bevan, ASA's Inland Fisheries Policy Manager, talks with host Mike Leonard about improving aquatic invasive species (AIS) management and policy. AIS alter natural ecosystem, reduce biodiversity and degrade waterways. All of this amounts to impacts on fishing opportunities. ASA and several partners released a report recently with recommendations for improving prevention, eradication, control and mitigation of AIS. This is the first step in the process to combat AIS and improve fisheries. For more ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://asafishing.org/