Wednesday, March 1, 2017

U.S. Senate Confirms Wilbur Ross as Secretary of Commerce

Alexandria, Va. – Monday, the United States Senate voted 72-27 to confirm Wilbur Ross, investor and former banker, as the Secretary of Commerce. In addition to overseeing a variety of federal agencies involved in economic growth, Secretary Ross will also be in charge of the National Marine Fisheries Service, which oversees a $900 million budget related to saltwater fisheries management in federal waters.

"As someone with tremendous business experience who has a proven track record of improving business operations, Secretary Ross has the level of expertise and leadership skills to lead the Department of Commerce," said Scott Gudes, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).

Gudes concluded, "Of particular interest to the sportfishing industry will be Secretary Ross's ability to modernize the National Marine Fisheries Service in a way that recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation to America's economy and jobs. ASA looks forward to advancing the sportfishing industry's priorities with Secretary Ross and the future appointees who play a role in overseeing the National Marine Fisheries Service."



The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America's 46 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways through Keep America Fishing®, our national angler advocacy campaign. America's anglers generate more than $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.



Contact:
Mary Jane Williamson, Communications Director
703-519-9691, x227
www.asafishing.org