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TRCP Cheers Senate Introduction of MAPOceans Act
New legislation will increase accessibility to saltwater recreational fishing regulations and marine waters navigation information
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership celebrates Senate introduction of the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. The MAPOceans Act will direct the standardization, consolidation, and digitization of boating and recreational fishing information for federally managed marine waters and federal fisheries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This bill will enhance and expand recreation opportunities by investing in modern technology commonly found in smartphone applications to provide anglers, boaters, and other users with the information they need to safely and legally enjoy offshore waters and federal saltwater fisheries.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Angus King (I-Maine).
“The complex regulations of saltwater angling in America should not keep people from enjoying their sporting opportunities,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “The MAPOceans Act will help ensure that boating and recreational fishing information are digitized and readily available to our nation’s saltwater anglers and recreationists. TRCP thanks Senator Cruz and Senator King for their leadership to introduce and advance this important public access legislation.”
The MAPOceans Act builds on the success of the MAPLand Act, passed in 2022, and the MAPWaters Act, which passed out of the House of Representatives in January 2025, by directing NOAA to digitize navigation and recreational use rules for marine waters and federal fisheries, and to make those resources readily available to the public. The hundreds of thousands of offshore ocean miles and numerous saltwater fish species regulated by NOAA present enormous recreational opportunities where restrictions are difficult to access and constantly changing. MAPOceans directs the federal agency to compile those rules in digital form so they can be integrated into GPS units and smartphone applications that are popular with boaters and anglers, making that information available to the public in real time.
This newly digitized public information would include:
- Status information on which waterways are open or closed to entry or watercraft, low-elevation aircraft, or diving.
- The areas of waterways with restrictions on motorized propulsion, horsepower, or gasoline fuel.
- Types of watercraft that are restricted on each area of a waterway, including the permissibility of motorboats, non-motorized watercraft, personal watercraft, airboats, amphibious aircraft, and oceangoing ships.
- The location and geographic boundaries of fishing restrictions on recreational and commercial fishing, including full or partial closures, no-take zones, and fishing restrictions within or surrounding marine protected areas.
- Fishing regulations concerning specific types of equipment or bait, such as restrictions on the use of circle hooks, descending devices, and trolling.
To help educate hunters and anglers on this suite of important, bipartisan, access legislation, the TRCP launched the MAPping Public Access webpage that breaks down the history, status, and relevance of the MAPLand, MAPWaters, and MAPOceans Acts.
Learn more about TRCP’s work to improve your access to public lands and waters HERE.
Photo credit: Rimlight Media
The Science of Chronic Wasting Disease: Why Every Hunter Should Care
Addressing the silent threat to deer, elk, moose and our hunting traditions
Imagine sitting in your favorite deer stand at dawn, the crisp autumn air filling your lungs. You scan the tree line, waiting for a familiar sight – the graceful movement of a whitetail buck stepping into view. But what if that buck was sick? What if it showed no fear, moved erratically, or looked alarmingly thin? This is the reality of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), an often invisible but devastating threat to deer populations and the future of hunting.
What Is CWD and Why Should Hunters Care?
CWD is an always-fatal disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. It attacks the brain and nervous system, causing drastic weight loss, strange behavior, and eventual death. CWD is caused by prions – misfolded proteins that spread like a domino effect, corrupting healthy proteins. Unlike other diseases, there’s no vaccine, no cure, and no easy way to stop it. As it spreads across North America, CWD threatens not just wildlife but the hunting traditions that have been passed down for generations.
How CWD Spreads
CWD spreads in multiple ways:
- Direct Transmission (Horizontal Spread) – When an infected animal comes into close contact with a healthy one, it can pass the disease through saliva, urine, feces, and even antler velvet.
- Environmental Contamination (Indirect Spread) – Prions can linger in soil, water, and plants for years, infecting animals that come into contact with these contaminated areas.
- Mother-to-Offspring Transmission (Vertical Spread) – There is growing evidence that infected mothers may pass CWD to their offspring, though this pathway is less common.1
Unfortunately, human activities can worsen the problem. Moving live deer or improperly disposing of carcasses can introduce CWD into new areas, making its spread even harder to control. Where CWD has already been established, activities that artificially concentrate animals, like feeding, baiting, or mineral supplementation, can increase spread.
The Impact on Hunting and Conservation
For hunters, CWD isn’t just a wildlife disease, it’s a direct threat to our sporting traditions. Deer hunting generates billions of dollars annually for local and regional economies.2 If deer populations decline, hunting opportunities shrink, and funding for conservation efforts could take a major hit.
What TRCP is Doing
The TRCP is working to slow the spread of CWD alongside the wild deer and elk hunting communities, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Fish and Wildlife Health Committee, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners CWD Work Group, and the National Deer Association’s CWD Coalition. Here’s how:
- Advocacy for Funding and Research – The TRCP and our partners are working to ensure hunters have the tools they need to help protect wild deer and deer hunting, both through individual actions and through federal policy.
- Education – The TRCP and our partners work together to provide hunters with science-based information on disease prevention, transmission risks, and management strategies.
- Research and Surveillance Collaboration – The TRCP partners with agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state wildlife departments to improve disease detection and inform policy decisions.3
What Can Hunters Do Right Now
Hunters play a crucial role in managing CWD. Here’s how you can help:
- Get harvested deer tested for CWD to help track and manage the disease.
- Follow carcass transport and disposal regulations to prevent the spread of infected material.
- Make informed choices about activities that artificially concentrate wild deer, like feeding, baiting, and mineral supplementation.
- Stay informed and advocate for science-based CWD management to ensure policies protect both wildlife and the future of hunting.
The Road Ahead
CWD is a serious challenge, but hunters have always been the backbone of conservation in North America. By taking responsible action, supporting research, and advocating for sound policies, we can help slow the spread of this disease and preserve our hunting traditions for generations to come. The fight against CWD isn’t just about protecting deer – it’s about protecting the future of hunting itself.
You can learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease HERE
Citations
- Haley, N. J., & Hoover, E. A. (2015). Chronic wasting disease of cervids: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, 3(1), 305-325. arav3Haley 305..325
- U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
- Thompson, N. E., Huang, M. H., Christensen, S. A., & Demarais, S. (2023). Wildlife agency responses to chronic wasting disease in free‐ranging cervids. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 47(2), e1435. Wildlife agency responses to chronic wasting disease in free‐ranging cervids.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act Introduced in the Senate and House
Lawmakers have introduced the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act to boost a crucial Farm Bill program that creates public hunting and fishing opportunities on private land.
The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025 has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Senator Marshall (R-Kan.) and in the House of Representatives by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). This bipartisan, bicameral bill would strengthen one of the most critical Farm Bill programs for America’s hunters and anglers: the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). VPA-HIP is the only federal initiative that helps to create public hunting and fishing opportunities on private land and this new legislation reauthorizes the program at triple its prior funding level. This reinforces the full Farm Bill that House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson’s (R-Pa.) introduced last Congress, which proposed a similar funding increase to this critical program. Bipartisan, bicameral bills like this are rare and show the value of this program to leaders across the political spectrum.
“State-led access programs are hurting this year without support from VPA-HIP, and including the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act in a 2025 farm bill would be a major positive development for hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We are thrilled to see such an influential, bipartisan group of leaders recognize the importance of increased hunting and fishing access by introducing this legislation. Thank you, Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson, for your leadership and support.”
The legislation would invest $150 million over the next five years in the VPA-HIP, which provides grants to states and Tribes to be implemented at the local level. This increased investment was among the recommendations made by TRCP’s Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group in its Farm Bill platform and has been echoed by groups across the hunting and fishing community.
What they are saying:
“On behalf of the nation’s recreational fishing industry, the American Sportfishing Association thanks Senators Daines, Marshall, and Bennet, as well as Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “This legislation will support and enable landowners to provide fishing access on private lands, opening valuable waters to anglers. The reauthorization and expansion of VPA-HIP will strengthen a program that has allowed access to private lands since 2008, creating memorable days on the water for America’s anglers.”
“We greatly appreciate Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson introducing the House version of the VPA Improvement Act. As we entered discussions of the 2023 Farm Bill, extending and expanding the impact of VPA-HIP was one of Delta’s highest priorities,” said John Devney, chief policy officer at Delta Waterfowl. “As duck hunters across the country look for additional access, increased investments in VPA HIP can lead to new partnerships with private landowners to enhance habitat and also provide access. We hope that the effort by these leaders will lead to a broader bi-partisan effort to include an expanded VPA-HIP in the final Farm Bill.”
“There are dozens of state programs throughout country that help open public hunting access on private lands, but one common thread is that VPA-HIP is the unsung hero that makes much of that access possible,” said Ariel Wiegard, vice president of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “The economic returns for rural communities in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over, and increasing funding for the program is one of our top priorities in the next farm bill. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership and support for this very successful program.”
“Hunting access is one of the most significant barriers for both new and experienced hunters,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited managing director of federal affairs. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act is a win-win for sportsmen and landowners, and we thank Sens. Daines, Bennet, Marshall for leading this bipartisan effort in the Senate, as well as Reps. Dingell and Johnson for their leadership in the House.”
“We are proud to support Representative Dingell’s, and Representative Johnson and Senator Daines’, reintroduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” said Nick Pinizzotto, president and CEO of the National Deer Association. “Reauthorizing and strengthening the Act will ensure that landowners and sportsmen alike can continue to benefit from sustainable wildlife management and habitat preservation for generations to come.”
VPA-HIP is the single best federal tool for increasing recreational access on private lands by helping states create innovative ways of incentivizing private landowners to open their lands to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. It also has a very special place in the hearts of TRCP’s staff and supporters, as it was championed by our inspirational co-founder, Jim Range, before his untimely death. The program was established and funded through the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills—most recently at $50 million over five years—with its impacts felt across the country.
Apart from creating more outdoor recreation access, VPA-HIP funding is also utilized to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners for wildlife habitat improvement and enhancement projects. It is often layered with other Farm Bill programs that have habitat benefits, such as Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Easements. And the program allows states to address liability, alleviating a roadblock for many landowners to open their lands to the public.
Studies estimate that the VPA-HIP has a more than eight-to-one return on investment in the form of outdoor recreation spending in rural communities.
Watch a video about some of the many benefits of VPA-HIP below.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Critical Menhaden Science Funding Falls Short Again in Virginia
Recreational angling, boating, and conservation community disappointed that state legislative efforts to fund menhaden science in the Chesapeake Bay failed in session
(RICHMOND, Va.)— During the 2025 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers again failed to approve multiple efforts from both sides of the aisle to provide funding for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to complete a three-year study of the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of the menhaden population in the waters of the Commonwealth. Three separate efforts to fund the research through the state budget, for which the conference report was released by legislators this week, were squashed in this year’s session. The efforts were opposed by Omega Protein, the only reduction fishing company operating in Virginia.
Delegate Paul Milde (R-64) first introduced House Bill 2713, which would have directed the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, in collaboration with VIMS, to conduct the menhaden study. In addition, an amendment to the state’s biennial budget, falling under HB 1600 as Item 148 #4h, sought to earmark funding separately for the same study. Both efforts were stopped in the House without a hearing. A third effort, spearheaded by Delegate Betsy Carr (D-78), which would have provided the first year of funding for the study directly to VIMS as a “research collaboration,” was removed during final budget negotiations with the Senate.
Atlantic menhaden, the target of Virginia’s largest commercial fishery, are a small, schooling fish harvested to be turned into fishmeal and fish oil products through a process known as “reduction” fishing. Due to their high oil content, menhaden – also called bunker – serve as the base of the marine food chain in Virginia, feeding iconic predators like striped bass, bluefish, and ospreys, especially inside the Chesapeake Bay. Currently, there is little data available related to how many menhaden are within the Bay throughout the year, or how reduction fishing affects the Bay’s fragile ecosystem.
“Although Atlantic menhaden are managed on a coastwide basis, there remains a lack of specific data related to how many menhaden are present within the Chesapeake Bay itself and the effects of removing them through large-scale industrial harvest,” said Chris Macaluso, director of the Center for Marine Fisheries for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of Delegates Milde and Carr for trying to help fish and wildlife managers at the state and regional level. Unfortunately, other Virginia lawmakers weren’t willing to support those efforts again this year, but recreational fishing advocates and a wide range of fisheries conservationists remain strongly committed to pushing for the science needed to properly manage the fisheries in Chesapeake Bay.”
Representatives from Omega Protein, Virginia’s lone menhaden reduction harvester and a subsidiary of Canadian-owned Cooke Seafood, initially supported and participated in the development of the unfunded VIMS study in summer 2023. However, during the 2024 legislative session, they opposed a bill similar to the one introduced this session.
Omega representatives also stalled efforts by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2021 to conduct research on the impacts of menhaden reduction fishing in Chesapeake Bay by not sharing their harvest data with fisheries managers.
“This is not just bad news for fishermen, but bad news for a Chesapeake Bay ecosystem that continues to scream warnings about menhaden,” said Chris Moore, Virginia executive director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “For years, we’ve lacked the baseline knowledge we need to establish robust and lasting sustainability for menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, only one foreign-owned entity continues to stand in the way of good science and that is Omega Protein, the largest harvester of menhaden on the Atlantic Coast.”
A coalition of 17 national and regional recreational angling, boating, and conservation groups signed a letter in support of this year’s legislative efforts. In addition, more than 24,000 Virginians and other conservationists concerned with Chesapeake fisheries have recently signed a petition by TRCP and CBF, asking Virginia decision-makers to support and protect the Chesapeake Bay and recreational fishing opportunities by funding the science necessary to manage this critical fish.
“It’s very concerning that our lawmakers are listening to lobbyists and prioritizing the profits of the Canadian menhaden industry over the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Steve Atkinson, chairman, Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association.
“Restoring authority to manage the Bay’s menhaden fishery to qualified fisheries managers was finally achieved after years of effort by Virginia’s conservation community. In order to execute the recovery of this keystone species, a robust study of the fishery’s populations is both critical and necessary,” said Pat Calvert, director, Water & Land Conservation Programs, Virginia Conservation Network. “This opportunity is not promised in the future.”
“I am not surprised that the few who benefit from the current management plans don’t want a study like this to be completed,” said Brett Fitzgerald, executive director, Angler Action Foundation. “Once the public sees how local economies would benefit from improved menhaden management, it will be much more difficult for the status quo to continue.”
More information about the importance of Atlantic menhaden is available on TRCP’s Forage Fish Recovery Page.
Images courtesy CosmoVision Media
HOW YOU CAN HELP
TRCP has partnered with Afuera Coffee Co. to further our commitment to conservation. $4 from each bag is donated to the TRCP, to help continue our efforts of safeguarding critical habitats, productive hunting grounds, and favorite fishing holes for future generations.
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