LAX Leader

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 7, Congresswomen Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act to direct the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration to establish a grant program to fund youth fishing projects. Grants from this program would educate our nation’s youth on marine sciences, conservation, and responsible fishing practices while also giving historically underserved communities the opportunity to recreationally fish and experience other marine-based activities.
 

“Our nation is home to beautiful rivers, oceans, and lakes. As we prepare to commemorate World Oceans Day, I am proud to continue the legacy of the late Congressman Donald McEachin by reintroducing the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act with Congresswoman Salazar and Senators Wicker and Cantwell to educate our youth on different marine environments, as well as vital conservation measures we must take to combat the climate crisis,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “It is especially important that historically disadvantaged youth have opportunities to learn about aquatic life and marine sciences to harbor their curiosity in these fields. Ensuring our nation’s children have rich, diverse educational experiences allows them to fully embrace their surroundings and thrive as students and individuals.”

"As someone who knows and recognizes the importance of the marine and aquatic environment, it is critical to provide younger generations of Americans across the country, especially minority Americans, the opportunity to learn firsthand about our seas, oceans, lakes, and outdoors, as well as provide them with the tools to enjoy them," said Congresswoman Salazar.

“We should be encouraging young Americans to get involved in fishing,” said Senator Wicker. “Our legislation will help remove barriers to accessing the outdoors and ensure that more young anglers, especially those in underserved communities, have the opportunity to enjoy this beloved pastime."

“Fishing is one of our favorite pastimes in the Pacific Northwest, and our bill will support Washington state organizations that take kids fishing in their local coastal waters, rivers, and bays,” said Senator Cantwell. “This bill will help more kids get the tools, gear, and support they need to experience the outdoors and the benefits that come with it.”

The Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act is supported by fishing advocacy and outdoor industry groups across the U.S. including the American Sportfishing Association, the Ebony Anglers, Outdoor Afro, the International Game Fish Association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Center for Sportfishing Policy.

“Recreational fishing provides substantial physical and mental health benefits, but unfortunately many young people – particularly in underserved communities – face significant barriers in accessing the outdoors,” said Mike Leonard, the American Sportfishing Association’s Vice President of Government Affairs. “The grants provided through this bill will go a long way to remove those barriers and help children develop a love of fishing. We thank Representatives Salazar and Kamlager-Dove for their work on the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act and are excited about the generations of new anglers it will help create.”

“We give our support to this bill because of its focus on the inclusion of diverse communities in outdoor recreation and fishing," said Lesleigh Mausi, M.Ed., Vice President of the Ebony Anglers. “These tenants are important and necessary, and we will continue to give feedback to ensure this bill does what it promises for BIPOC children across the nation.”

"Outdoor Afro places heavy emphasis on our community relationships to local, regional, and national waters," said Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO Rue Mapp. "Through network activities like fly fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and our flagship summer swimming program Making Waves, our organization supports efforts that strengthen neighborhood connections to U.S. waterways. This youth fishing bill is an opportunity to engage future generations in the outdoors, advancing our collective work in conservation, education, and recreation."

“The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) believes there has never been a more pivotal time to focus our efforts on connecting young people with the outdoors,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “By engaging the next generation of Americans with the sport of fishing, we can instill conservation values in tomorrow’s stewards of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of these precious aquatic resources.”

“Year over year we’ve seen more Americans take to the great outdoors and experience, some for the first time, the joys of time spent on and near our nation’s cherished waters,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “We applaud Representatives Salazar and Kamlager-Dove for their leadership in introducing the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act, especially as we look to create a more inclusive recreation sector.”

“We thank Representatives Salazar and Kamlager-Dove for their leadership on the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “It is critical that we get more kids outdoors enjoying nature where they can learn valuable lessons about life, conservation and the benefits of marine recreational fishing. Youth anglers grow up to be adult anglers who continue to fund conservation programs as sportsmen and women have been doing for more than a century.”

The Youth Costal Fishing Program Act was introduced last Congress by Congresswoman Salazar, Congressman McEachin, and Senators Wicker and Cantwell. As Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove is proud to join her colleagues in reintroducing this legislation as she works to protect the beauty of our country’s waters and the wildlife that inhabits them.

Read the full bill text here.

Original source can be found here.