Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) released a statement about the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to cancel grant funding for the nonprofit.

In it, chief operating officer Stephanie Vatalaro says:

“In the 1990s, declining participation in fishing and boating concerned state agencies and the outdoor industry. Congress responded in 1998 by dedicating 2 percent of the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund (SFRBTF) to a new National Outreach & Communication Program (NOCP). In response, RBFF was created—by state leaders and industry stakeholders—with a singular mission: grow participation in fishing and boating to support America’s world-renowned conservation model.

Since then, RBFF has led the national effort to increase fishing participation to record-high levels in 2024, directly benefitting local communities, independently owned businesses and manufacturers across the U.S. In fact, we know that fishing produces $2,491 in spending per participant per year —a figure that drives economic activity in every state in the union. RBFF has helped build what has become:

1. A $230.5 billion-per-year sportfishing industry that supports 1.1 million American jobs, generates $263 million in tax revenue and contributes $2 billion annually to fisheries and conservation efforts in all 50 states.
2. The recreational boating industry adds another $230 billion-per-year in economic impact, 812,000 jobs, $26.9 billion in tax revenue and 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S

RBFF has a proud tradition of attracting Americans to the sport of fishing and boating through its Consumer & Stakeholder Engagement strategies. See award-winning campaign Find Your Best Self and animated short “Second Catch.”

Anglers and boaters fund RBFF through a unique “user-pay, public-benefits” system called the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The fund is directly supported by the sport fishing and boating industries, along with anglers and boaters themselves through fishing license sales, and excise taxes on fishing tackle and motorboat fuel. This legislatively mandated system, reviewed and reauthorized by Congress every five years, includes supporting the NOCP which has been awarded to RBFF for 27 years through a competitive grant process administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

RBFF is supported by state fish and wildlife agencies, as well as industry manufacturers and retailers from Alaska to Florida. In just the past few months since RBFF’s funding has been terminated, fishing license sales are down 8.6 percent across 16 states that report to the national dashboard, representing an estimated loss of over $590 million in angler spending and 5,600 jobs. These figures signal that the industry and the economic activity it drives could be at risk.

RBFF has devised a plan it believes would meet the goals and priorities of the administration. We are eager for the opportunity to meet with DOGE and DOI to share our plan and incorporate feedback.

A new notice of funding for the grant has been posted and RBFF is currently reviewing its options for applying. Proposals are due August 17 and grantees will be notified October 1.

An email sent to followers July 14 stated that RBFF and its board were not “offered an opportunity to meet with DOI or address any perceived misalignment, despite attempts by RBFF to connect,” says Dave Chanda, president and CEO of RBFF.

Funding for RBFF’s work was initially paused April 1; with the addition of this grant cancelation, the nonprofit has paused the following programs:

• The Take Me Fishing™ campaign, along with search, social, influencer, content and PR activations;
• State grant programs, the State Marketing Workshop, First Catch Centers and the Boat Registration Reactivation Program;
• State-industry R3 pilot projects and other partnership efforts; and
• More than $550,000 in matching funds from RBFF partners has also been delayed or withdrawn.

“Moving forward, DOI has posted a new funding opportunity for the NOCP, which appears to favor a different delivery model including an estimated 15 grants awarded instead of one. RBFF will be applying for these grants. Given the new approach, however, RBFF will not likely be the same organization going forward.

“Still, we remain hopeful. RBFF was created by state and industry leaders with strong bipartisan support, and for nearly three decades we’ve worked alongside you to elevate fishing and boating participation to record-high levels,” says Chanda. “This collaboration has helped boost conservation funding, outdoor access and rural economies across all 50 state —and we believe it is something worth continuing.”