News

Marine Recreation Industry Commends NOAA Fisheries on Rejecting Petition to Establish Vessel Speed Restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico Uncategorized

Marine Recreation Industry Commends NOAA Fisheries on Rejecting Petition to Establish Vessel Speed Restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico

The petitioners were asking NOAA to use their authority under the Endangered Species Act and…

Kevin HicksonOctober 30, 2023

ASMFC Releases Update to Striped Bass Rebuilding Plan for Public Comment Uncategorized

ASMFC Releases Update to Striped Bass Rebuilding Plan for Public Comment

Atlantic Coast’s Multi-State Striper Board Approves Addendum That Seeks to Curb Decline of America’s Top…

Kevin HicksonOctober 20, 2023

Community Comments on the Proposed Rule for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Amendment 15 Uncategorized

Community Comments on the Proposed Rule for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Amendment 15

We respectfully urge that Draft Amendment 15 be divided into two separate components, with the…

Kevin HicksonOctober 6, 2023

$82 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding for North Atlantic Right Whales Uncategorized

$82 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding for North Atlantic Right Whales

We view this funding opportunity as a unique and hopefully groundbreaking opportunity to make a…

Kevin HicksonSeptember 27, 2023

Sportfishing Community Reacts to NOAA’s Announcement on Data Program Failure Uncategorized

Sportfishing Community Reacts to NOAA’s Announcement on Data Program Failure

NOAA study finds its own estimates inflated 30 - 40%; marine recreational catch data program…

Kevin HicksonSeptember 11, 2023

ASMFC Extends Emergency Action But Delays Updates to Striped Bass Rebuilding Plan Uncategorized

ASMFC Extends Emergency Action But Delays Updates to Striped Bass Rebuilding Plan

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Board Extends Emergency Regulations Yet Delays Action…

Kevin HicksonAugust 3, 2023

Recreational Fishing Groups Endorse Virginia Petition to Restrict Depth of Industrial Menhaden Fishing Nets Uncategorized

Recreational Fishing Groups Endorse Virginia Petition to Restrict Depth of Industrial Menhaden Fishing Nets

Contact: Sean Ryan sryan@hodgespart.com 804.647.4459 Use of 60-foot-deep purse seine nets in shallow waters causing…

Kevin HicksonAugust 2, 2023

Commerce Department Announces Regional Fishery Management Council Appointments Uncategorized

Commerce Department Announces Regional Fishery Management Council Appointments

“It takes a commitment from serious people to properly manage something as valued and cherished…

Kevin HicksonJune 28, 2023

Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Opposes Vessel Speed Restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico Uncategorized

Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Opposes Vessel Speed Restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico

The leading organizations representing recreational fishing and boating in the United States urged the National…

Kevin HicksonJune 22, 2023

Recreational Community Comments on Gulf Proposed Vessel Speed Restriction Rule Uncategorized

Recreational Community Comments on Gulf Proposed Vessel Speed Restriction Rule

This letter provides our response to NOAA Fisheries’ request for comments on the Rice’s whale…

Kevin HicksonJune 21, 2023

Conservation Community Calls for Task Force on Sharks Uncategorized

Conservation Community Calls for Task Force on Sharks

By implementing efforts to minimize interactions between sharks and anglers, the SHARKED Act will advance…

Kevin HicksonJune 14, 2023

Recreational Angling Community Supports Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act Uncategorized

Recreational Angling Community Supports Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act

88% of current fishing participants fished before the age of 12, highlighting the importance of…

Kevin HicksonJune 8, 2023