WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) reintroduced the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act in the House of Representatives. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Senate version of the legislation. This bill would establish a grant program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund community-based programs that take minority youth on fishing trips to the Ocean and Great Lakes. “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 Rep. Salazar. The legislation promotes equitable access to the nation's wonderful outdoors by providing on-the-water experiences for young people that may be otherwise unattainable. It delivers the opportunity to interact directly with the marine environment, receive lessons in marine science, and encourage environmental stewardship. This initiative would provide experiences that set the participants on a path towards continued participation in outdoor recreation. “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 Rep. 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.” “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.” “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.” Bill text can be found here. Additional cosponsors are: Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Carlos Giménez (R-FL), and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). BACKGROUND: According to the American Sportfishing Association, 88 percent of American adults who fish today have been fishing since the age of 12, indicating that exposure at a young age is important. Nature-based activities, particularly fishing, deliver a healthy way to unwind. While some federal agencies have programs that enable youth to connect with the country’s marine and aquatic environment, one does not exist within NOAA. The Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2023 would equip this key federal agency with a new opportunity in marine interaction to offer to young people so they too can develop a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. ### | 