Tony Friedrich and Willy Goldsmith, American Saltwater Guides Association
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the economy and public health services, and as citizens hunker down, the recreational fishing industry has largely hit the pause button. Guides, bait shops, and lure manufacturers have suddenly lost their source of income and are scrambling to make ends meet, with no clear indication as to when this will all end and allow us to resume some semblance of normalcy.
We at the American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) are committed to helping support those who rely on recreational fishing to make a living and whose lives, like everyone else’s, have been turned upside-down by the pandemic.
Below, we’ve outlined ways that you can help these folks get through this challenging time, and have also provided resources to help industry members access some of the benefits that have been provided by the federal government.
How You Can Help
These are uncertain times for everyone. The fishing community has been hit very hard by COVID-19. We have spoken to many guides and shop owners over the last few weeks. They need some help right now. The good news is that it isn’t difficult to lend a hand.
For the guides, we suggest booking a trip with them for late summer or early fall. When you book with them, offer a little more than the deposit. If you can pay for the entire trip ahead of time, all the better! If your trip has been cancelled due to restrictions, then reschedule if possible. So, pick up the phone and give these hard-working fishermen a ray of hope. They have spent the last few weeks getting cancellation after cancellation. One booking can really turn a day around.
The tackle shops are no different. Hop online and order something. If they don’t sell gear on a website, then call or email with a purchase. Depending on the state, some businesses are offering curbside pick-up. Now is the time to support your local shop. Every little bit helps, and they sure will appreciate it.
Guides and tackle shops are the first ones to step up and help with donations for your club. Now is the time to step up and pay a little back. We are a tight knit community. Let’s support each other so we can get through this together.
Resources for Guides, Tackle Shops, Lure Manufacturers, and Other Members of the Recreational Industry
Federal lawmakers have recently gone to bat on behalf of the recreational community, securing several provisions in March’s $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide benefits to the fishing industry. Several voices in the U.S. Senate, including Senators Cantwell (D-WA), Collins (R-ME), Markey (D-MA), Murkowski (R-AK), Sullivan (R-AK), and Warren (D-MA) fought fiercely on behalf of both commercial and recreational fishermen, and they deserve our praise and recognition.
Some of the specific benefits outlined in the CARES Act are: 1) Expanding unemployment benefits to include the self-employed, such as charter captains and tackle shop owners, along with extending both the duration and amount of such benefits; 2) provisions to support small businesses including Paycheck Protection Program loans and Emergency Economic Injury Grants; 3) $300 million in fishery disaster assistance to support those who have had revenue losses of more than 35% compared to their previous five-year average; and 4) direct cash payments of up to $1200 in direct financial assistance, depending on income.
We at ASGA have worked to make these resources available via blog posts on our website (saltwaterguidesassociation.com/blog) and encourage folks to visit our website to learn more about the benefits that folks may be able to access. You can also reach out to us directly at info@saltwaterguidesassociation.org with any specific questions.
About the American Saltwater Guides Association
Founded in 2019, the American Saltwater Guides Association was created to activate and unite guides, small business owners and like-minded anglers, and to represent them and their voice at the federal, regional and state level. The ASGA is a coalition of forward-thinking guides, small business owners and like-minded anglers who understand the value of keeping fish in the water. We realize that abundance equals opportunity, and that such opportunity is quite a bit more important to the future of fishing than low size limits and full coolers. More information about the ASGA, its mission, board members and current areas of focus can be found at www.saltwaterguidesassociation.org.
Tony Friedrich is ASGA’s Vice President and Policy Director. Willy Goldsmith is ASGA’s Executive Director.
