With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continuing to struggle in the management of the nation's fisheries, lawmakers today held a committee hearing intended to explore the impact of a looming deadline that will force the agency to set annual catch limits on stocks of fish for which it has no science.

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) has announced the organization is kicking off year four of its State Fishing License Marketing Program, a nationwide effort to increase fishing license sales. The initiative, which includes direct mail, e-mail outreach, social media and additional marketing strategies, maintains a commitment to increase participation in fishing through license sales, and generate awareness of the connection to state conservation efforts.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation will once again renew its major sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the official federal commemoration of hunters, anglers and conservation. NSSF is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has been involved with National Hunting and Fishing Day for 40 years.

A cooperative effort between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to standardize fishing regulations on waters shared by the two states is nearing fruition.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has taken a long-awaited first step toward addressing outdated allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors in the grouper and red snapper fisheries.

Seventy-eight members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) signed a letter delivered last Thursday to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging the agency to dismiss the petition to ban the use of lead in fishing products.

As the pending Gulf Restoration Plan is being produced The Billfish Foundation is encouraging recreational anglers and boaters, especially those in the Gulf states most affected by the April 20 oil disaster, to urge the government to include the sportfishing segment in the plan.

For 38 years, National Hunting and Fishing Day has been celebrated from the smallest hometowns to the highest offices in our nation's capital. An official public reminder that conservation in America depends on leadership and funding from hunters and anglers, NHF Day now aims to deliver its message year round through a free and newly updated variety of educational resources.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Take Me FishingTM grant initiative. This year, NRPA awarded 70 agencies and organizations up to $5,000 for programs that will each serve a minimum of 2,000 youth by April 30, 2011.

The official "holiday" for hunters and anglers, National Hunting and Fishing Day, is working to promote America's first best conservationists with help from perennial sponsor Realtree.