Even more important are the vital conservation benefits fishing generates for our nation’s waters and fish. Since the passage of the 1950 Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, anglers have paid a federal excise tax on fishing tackle. In 1985 those taxes were expanded to include the federal excise tax on motorboat fuel in what is now known as the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. These tax revenues are distributed annually to state fish and wildlife agencies to help fund projects and programs that directly benefit fish, habitat and, ultimately, anglers and other recreational water enthusiasts. In 2010 alone, the excise tax on sportfishing tackle amounted to $390 million. Along with the $657 million contributed by anglers through fishing license fees and $403 million in private donations, anglers generated $1.45 billion for fisheries conservation efforts.
www.ASAfishing.org • 3