Cuts to learn-to-fish nonprofit are impacting the sportfishing industry

DOGE funding cuts to a nonprofit that offers learn-to-fish programs around the country has forced the organization to furlough half of its employees and cost millions in spending by anglers, reports Outdoor Life.

Due to the cuts, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, has paused programs like Take Me Fishing and other events.

Grant funding for many conservation-based organizations was frozen earlier this year, and sources say RBFF and other fishing industry stakeholders struggled to receive clarity on the funding. As a result, RBFF had to furlough eight of its 16 employees on June 6, just days before the Department of the Interior announced it was terminating the grant award, which the agency has been receiving and distributing since 1998…

RBFF says its has helped increase fishing participation to record-high levels last year and contributed to the sportfishing and boating industries, which both contribute $230 billion apiece in economic impact, along with nearly 2 million total jobs and billions in tax revenue.

“Alarmingly, in just the past few months since RBFF’s funding has been terminated, fishing license sales are down 8.6 percent across 16 states, representing the loss of over $590 million in angler spending and 5,600 jobs,” RBFF told Outdoor Life in a statement. “These figures signal that the industry and the economic activity it drives could be at severe risk.”