Skip to main content

President Obama Signs Outdoor REC Act into Law

The new bill will require the Department of Commerce to analyze the contributions the outdoor recreation industry provides in regards to recreational fishing

President Obama Signs Outdoor REC Act into Law
President Obama Signs Outdoor REC Act into Law

Alexandria, VA –In a significant step forward for the outdoor recreation industry and the sportfishing community, yesterday, President Obama signed into law the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016. The bill, known as the Outdoor REC Act, passed the House of Representatives and the Senate in November.

This new piece of legislation requires the Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, to assess and analyze the contributions of the outdoor recreation industry, including recreational fishing, to the United States economy. The legislation will help to ensure that sportfishing industry jobs and recreational fishing’s economic impact are accounted for as part of the gross domestic product (GDP).

“At a time when jobs and economic opportunity are high on everyone’s list, the Outdoor REC bill’s passage gives the outdoor recreation industry its own metric by which to quantify its impact on the nation’s economic activity,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) President and CEO Mike Nussman. “We have advocated for years that recreational fishing and boating were significant economic drivers. It’s gratifying that the House and the Senate, in a bi-partisan effort, passed this bill which the President has now signed it into law.”

Nussman continued, “It’s important to note that in many rural areas, where jobs are at a premium, it’s fishing, boating and other outdoor activities that provide steady employment for many people.”

The passage of the Outdoor REC Act was needed to make sure that the outdoor economy—and it’s estimated six million jobs and $646 billion in economic activity—receives official government recognition for years to come.

“ASA applauds Congress and the President for enacting this legislation, bringing the outdoor recreation industry’s importance to jobs and the economy into the national spotlight,” said ASA Government Affairs Vice President Scott Gudes. “We appreciate that outdoor recreation is now formally being recognized by the federal government for its impact on jobs, business and the economy.”

Gudes further said, “The Outdoor REC Act will also ensure that the outdoor industry's economic statistics will be measured in the same comprehensive way as other business sectors, such as the automotive and apparel industries. This is important because industry economic impact estimates also include data that show the non-direct impact that the activity has on the economy. For example, it would also include sportfishing’s contributions to travel and tourism, not just the purchase of tackle.”

ASA is an active part of a team representing a wide-range of outdoor industries that will work with the Department of Commerce to shape how outdoor recreation is defined and ensure our reach and impact are recognized.

In his post-campaign remarks, President-elect Trump has voiced his support for maintaining fishing and hunting on our nation’s public lands.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Fishing

Bait Matters

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Fishing

Advantage: Catamaran

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Fishing

Fly a Kite

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Fishing

Bumping Along

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Offshore Cranking

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Gear

Trika Rods

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Gear

New Shimano Baitcasters

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Hunting

Incredible Turkey Audio: Tommy Allen Punches his Minnesota Tag IN THE SNOW

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Destinations

First Turkey Ever: Perfect Conditions Make for a Short Hunt

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Bass Froggin' Game Plan

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Videos

What to Know Before Going Off-Road

From learning the proper driving techniques to understanding proper etiquette while on the trail, it all begins with saf...
Learn

Off-Road Safety Tips and Techniques

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use