Policy Watch – Priority Sportfishing Legislation Moving on Capitol Hill

 1 minute ago by Chris Munchow 

Modified Jan 26th, 2026 at 9:52 PM

Priority Sportfishing Legislation Moving on Capitol Hill

Last week, the House Natural Resources Committee moved two important bills for the sportfishing industry. On January 22, the Committee voted unanimously to advance the Mitigation Action and Waterman Support (MAWS) Act, sponsored by Reps. Elfreth (D-MD) and Wittman (R-VA). This bill would create a pilot program to incentivize watermen to catch highly invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and establish the infrastructure to create a long-term market for the species.

During the same markup hearing, representatives also passed the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act by unanimous consent, sponsored by Reps. Fry (R-SC) and Levin (D-CA). This bill will direct the standardization, consolidation and digitization of boating and recreational fishing information for federally managed marine waters and federal fisheries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Senate passed the MAPOceans Act in September of last year.

We are encouraged by the overwhelming bipartisan support for both bills and look forward to seeing them become law before the end of this Congress.

ASA Talks Live Bait Bans on CSF Podcast

Last week, ASA’s Inland Fisheries Policy Director, Connor Bevan, joined the Sportsman’s Voice Podcast. Connor shared an update on recent efforts to ban the use of live bait. Framed publicly as an invasive species concern, these proposals could effectively end live bait fishing in entire regions, especially for ice fishing, panfish, and entry-level anglers.

ASA recently published a policy brief detailing these efforts, as well.

Click the link below to listen to the full episode.
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100,000,000

There may be more than 100 million invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Source: Maryland DNR

A Year in Review for Mid-Atlantic and New England Recreational Fisheries

Throughout 2025, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) remained actively engaged in federal and interstate fisheries management at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, New England Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The year delivered measurable progress for recreational anglers, including increased access to key fisheries, continued rebuilding for iconic stocks and advances toward more stable recreational management, while also underscoring challenges that will shape future advocacy.

Click below to read the full recap.

A Year in Review for Mid-Atlantic and New England Recreational Fisheries

KUNK – Interior Department orders public lands open to hunting and fishing by default

Outdoor Life: The Federal Government Is About to Make Public Waterway Rules Way Less Confusing

Choose Clean Water Coalition: Congressional Appropriations Package a Win for Chesapeake Bay

The Fishing Wire: Access Is Moving From Debate To Action

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