The Boone and Crockett Club today, reflecting on the historic leadership role sportsmen have played in wildlife conservation, applauded the passage of the Modern Fish Act.

In the closing days of the 115th Congress, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed S.1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act).

"Science-based, sustainable-use conservation backed by sportsmen is just that, conservation," noted Tim Brady, president of the Boone and Crockett Club. "It doesn't matter if it's fresh or saltwater fishing, small game, upland bird or big game hunting, the history of conservation in North America was written by sportsmen, and this tradition of doing what is necessary continues to this day." 

S. 1520 is a focus on saltwater ecosystems and will provide critical updates to the oversight of federal fisheries, as well as the federal fisheries management system. The beneficiaries will be our saltwater ecosystems along with recreational anglers and boaters.

Many of the recommendations found in the Modern Fish Act originated from a report to federal policy makers titled, "A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries." This report was presented in 2014 by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management; more commonly known as the Morris-Deal Commission - a diverse group made up of a variety of fisheries stakeholders, named for co-chairs Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group.

"Hunters and anglers were among our nation's first conservationists," Brady explained. "We're pleased to see this brand of fisheries legislation getting on the books, and most importantly what it represents. The collective success of managing and enhancing our fish and wildlife natural resources is dependent on the restructuring and modernization of our laws and procedures."