The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has come in support of initiatives being taken on the federal and state levels to deal with the water quality issues in Florida that can affect fisheries habitat and management.

A record-breaking amount of rainfall in January needed the release of a huge amount of water from Lake Okeechobee by the US Army Corps of Engineers, sending fresh water both west and east to coastal regions, severely impacted by such a move.

The US Army Corps of Engineers on Monday, February 15, took an action on an emergency request made by the Governor's office, along with other state agencies, to let the water go to south on its notable path via Everglades National Park into Florida Bay.

Scott Gudes, ASA's vice president for Government Affairs, said, “We encourage the US Army Corps of Engineers, Florida state agencies and organizations, along with Congress and the Florida Legislature, to continue to work together toward long term solutions and funding for Everglades restoration”.

Gudes added that the event has provided positive momentum to speed up the completion of the identified project or the ones that have been underway to attain the essential infrastructure to reinstate the Everglades to its natural working.

Gudes noted though it can’t undo the ecological impacts that have already occurred, the actions taken recently will lessen the damage, serving as a model for future cooperative management of one of the most valuable resources, the Florida Everglades.

In the US, Florida is the topmost fishing state in terms of participation and economic impact. Previous year, an ASA's Florida-based advocacy initiative, known as Keep Florida Fishing, was established to help guarantee that the voices of anglers and the recreational fishing industry are considered at the time of taking policy decisions that impact the main recreational fishing state.