The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association that represents the recreational fishing industry, applauds the nomination of Sally Jewell for Department of the Interior Secretary.

Jewell is the President and CEO of REI, a national retailer of outdoor gear and clothing. Prior to joining REI, Jewell already had two decades of experience in commercial banking, and began her professional career as an engineer for Mobil Oil Corporation.

"From an industry perspective, Sally Jewell understands the important role that our public waters and lands have in supporting the nation’s $646 billion outdoor recreation economy," said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. "Given its responsibility for managing approximately one-fifth of the nation’s lands and waters, the Department of the Interior has a significant role in providing recreational fishing opportunities and conserving the nation’s fisheries resources."

Nussman further said, "Public lands and the outdoor recreation economy are closely tied, and Ms. Jewell’s private sector experience in leading a national outdoor equipment retail chain provides her with a valuable perspective that would well-serve the fishing industry and all sportsmen and women."

According to ASA’s new recreational fishing study, Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, America’s nearly 60 million anglers are estimated to spend $48 billion per year on fishing equipment, transportation, lodging and other expenses associated with their sport. With a total annual economic impact of $115 billion, fishing supports more than 828,000 jobs and generates $35 billion in wages and $15 billion in federal and state taxes. Despite the economic difficulties facing the U.S. economy over the past five years; the total amount spent on sportfishing, which encompasses tackle, travel and other equipment, grew five percent.

Jewell has been a spokesperson for President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, which promotes reconnecting Americans to the outdoors and supports community-level conservation of fish and wildlife habitat. She also served on the "National Parks Second Century Commission," whose goal was to help shape the future of the National Parks System which is under Interior’s jurisdiction.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.