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The American Sportfishing Association, the trade organisation for the recreational fishing industry, is keen to work with Donald Trump’s administration when he takes presidential office in January, to boost the sport.

The ASA, which boasts 900 trade members, sent its congratulations to President Elect Trump and said it looks forward to a productive partnership, working toward policies that will support conservation efforts, promote angler access, and encourage economic growth within the $148 billion recreational fishing sector.

Its recent report The Future of Sportfishing has identified a number of priorities it wishes to raise with the 47^th President of the United States as it campaigns to improve the lot of America’s 57 million anglers.

Mike Leonard, the ASA’s vice-president of government affairs, said: “Chief among these is a commitment to science-based fisheries management, which is essential for maintaining clean water and healthy fish populations. We hope to work alongside the Administration and the next Congress to ensure that our nation’s fisheries are managed sustainably to provide robust recreational opportunities for anglers across the country.

“Enhancing access to our fisheries, particularly those on federally managed lands and waters, is also a key priority for our community as we look ahead to the next four years.

“By expanding and improving access for recreational anglers, we can help more Americans enjoy time on the water and bring new people to our sport.

“Additionally, increased conservation funding remains a central focus. Adequate funding for land management agencies, fish habitat restoration and expanded access will improve the health of our waterways and ensure our fisheries thrive for generations to come.

“By proactively managing environmental challenges, we can protect our waters from factors like pollution and habitat degradation that threaten both fish populations and the angling experience.

“Lastly, we hope to see policies that support growth and technological innovation within the recreational fishing sector. Our industry supports almost 950,000 jobs and is the cultural and economic lifeblood of many local communities.”

He added: “While there’s still work to be done before inauguration day, we are optimistic that the strides our industry made, and the bipartisan support outdoor recreation enjoyed, in the 118^th Congress will continue into 2025 and beyond.”