Since our nation’s founding, recreational boating and fishing have been deeply woven into the American experience. George Washington was an avid fisherman who cast lines in the Potomac along the shores of Mount Vernon. Andrew Jackson built boats in Tennessee before becoming president. And across history, a variety of iconic images—from F.D.R. fishing with Winston Churchill to John F. Kennedy sailing the coast of Cape Cod—have become etched into the American consciousness, reflecting an enduring connection to our coastlines, waterways and outdoor heritage.
Today, recreational boating and fishing remain popular pastimes for more than 85 million Americans each year. In addition to offering the opportunity for relaxation and bonding with friends and family, recreational boating and fishing are also major economic drivers that support local communities and regions through thousands of jobs and businesses.
To protect and expand access to America’s waterways for boaters and anglers across the country
Our Issues
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Infrastructure and access
The ability to access boat ramps, marinas, parking lots, healthy and robust fisheries and properly dredged waterways is critical to enabling every person to experience this uniquely American pastime. Unfortunately, much of our nation's aging outdoor recreation infrastructure is currently experiencing rapid wear and tear. Without renovation and expansion, the damage will extend to not only America's national pastimes but also to the numerous communities along rivers, lakes, harbors and coastlines that depend on recreational boating to drive tourism, support small businesses and create jobs.
The continued success of the recreational marine industry and our community depends on recreational boaters and anglers having robust access to public waters, abundant fisheries and healthy marine ecosystems. Maintaining and increasing access to recreational boating and fishing by modernizing fisheries management, science and data accuracy to ensure healthy fisheries and abundant access is a key priority.
Policymakers can support boating and fishing by reauthorizing the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, reauthorizing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, including important reforms when renewing the Water Resources Development Act and modernizing fisheries management and support technological advancements.
