For coastal recreational anglers, the most impressive part of CARA is its direct benefit to marine fisheries and other coastal resources. With $100 million dedicated annually for coastal state marine conservation programs, CARA will make a difference. CCA has been actively involved in urging Congress to take prompt action enacting this vital conservation legislation.

“CARA’s coastal funding would go to state and local government to help conserve and restore habitat, protect water quality, and conserve and manage marine fisheries,” said Fred Miller, Chairman of CCA’s Government Relations Committee. “With these funds focused at a state and local government level, our coastal resources will see some real conservation benefit.”

CARA is supported by an incredibly diverse group of state and federal agencies, local governments, and conservationists. More than 52 Senators are now cosponsoring CARA or other related legislation and all 50 governors have voiced support.

The Senate’s bipartisan compromise version of CARA was crafted by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Democrat, Jeff Bingaman (NM). This measure represents the same balanced legislative approach that passed out of the House of Representatives in May.

“The leadership of Senator Murkowski and Senator Bingaman supported by a bipartisan majority of members of the committee is a clear signal that the Senate should act promptly to pass this legislation this year,” said R. Max Peterson, Executive Vice President of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

It is urgent that Senators voice support for CARA and vote to pass this bill. “CARA offers potential conservation benefit for our coastal resources that cannot be lost,” said Bob Hayes, General Counsel for CCA. “CARA funding would provide opportunities for conservation education, commercial license buyback programs, and other conservation programs for coastal states and beyond. We need CARA”