Legislation Introduced to Secure Conservation Funding
Last week, Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Blake Moore (R-UT), along with several bipartisan cosponsors, introduced the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act (H.R. 1494). This bill would ensure collection of excise taxes on fishing equipment in transactions of foreign products sold directly to U.S. consumers through online marketplaces, leveling the playing field for all tax-paying companies and boosting conservation funding.
The bill closes a loophole by requiring online marketplaces to collect the fishing and archery equipment excise taxes from direct-from-overseas-to-U.S.-consumer sales. Currently, these excise taxes are generally not collected on products sold by foreign manufacturers via online marketplaces, and under current law the responsibility falls on the consumer without their knowledge.
Click below to read more.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week Highlights Need for ActionÂ
This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week (February 24-28) and ASA is working with House and Senate offices and state agencies to introduce legislation to better control the spread of invasive Asian carp through the Mississippi River Basin. The establishment of a formal interjurisdictional fishery commission will support the state’s efforts to control aquatic invasive species (AIS), prevent habitat degradation and conserve sportfish species like crappie and walleye.
Aquatic invasive species, such as blue catfish, sea lamprey and zebra mussels, are one of the biggest threats to our fisheries and cause billions of dollars in ecosystem damage each year. These nuisance species can outcompete and prey upon native fish species. ASA and our partners encourage you to clean, drain and dry your boats and fishing equipment to help stop the spread of AIS between bodies of water.
Stay tuned to ASA’s media channels for more AIS information all week.
Public Meetings on Proposed Florida Bottomfishing Closures Feb. 24 and 25
NOAA Fisheries will hear public comment at two in-person meetings in Florida this week on Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. The first meeting will take place on February 24 at the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport from 4-8 PM. The second will be tomorrow evening, February 25, at the Hilton Cocoa Beach, also from 4-8 pm.
Amendment 59 proposes closing recreational fishing for 55 species of reef fish in federally managed waters off Northeast Florida from December 1 through the end of February each year. A final public meeting will be held on March 5 on Jekyll Island, GA. If you’re unable to attend these meetings, NOAA is accepting comments electronically through the federal register.
For more details, including talking points to help inform your comment, click the link below.
