Alexandria, VA – Might 5, 2026 – The American Sportfishing Affiliation (ASA), in partnership with ASA’s Sustainability Committee, is happy to announce the Million Pound Problem, a nationwide initiative to take away 1 million kilos of trash from U.S. waterways. The inaugural occasion will happen throughout Nationwide Fishing and Boating Week, June 6-14, 2026.
Aquatic air pollution impacts each lake, river, and ocean throughout the nation, affecting water high quality and threatening fish and wildlife populations. By this initiative, ASA is mobilizing sportfishing companies, state businesses and organizations to host river, lake or seashore cleanups for workers and group members and take direct motion in defending our nation’s pristine and cherished fisheries sources.
“With out clear waterways, we don’t have wholesome fish populations. With out wholesome fish populations, we don’t have an business,” stated ASA President and CEO, Glenn Hughes. “ASA workers shall be cleansing up the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on June 11, and we encourage all of our members to affix us on this effort.”
“As leaders within the sport fishing business, we really feel it’s our responsibility to display stewardship of our pure sources,” stated Bruce Stanton, Vice President of Fishing at PRADCO Open air. “The Million Pound Problem, launched by ASA, aligns with our stewardship initiatives, and we problem all ASA members and stakeholders to get out of the workplace and assist clear our waterways!”
To get began, choose a date between June 6-14, select a location and set up your workforce. ASA has partnered with Fishbrain to trace the full quantity of particles collected, with a public leaderboard displaying the highest members.
Further sources for planning and executing a cleanup can be found on the Million Pound Problem webpage: www.asafishing.org/million-pound-challenge.
Leisure fishing has been an vital a part of America’s heritage for the final 250 years. As our nation celebrates its semi-quincentennial birthday, the Million Pound Problem is a chance to make sure these waters stay clear and wholesome for the subsequent 250 years.
The American Sportfishing Affiliation (ASA) is the sportfishing business’s commerce affiliation dedicated to representing the pursuits of the sportfishing and boating industries in addition to all the sportfishing group. We give the business and anglers a unified voice when rising legal guidelines and insurance policies may considerably have an effect on sportfishing enterprise or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to make sure the business will stay robust and affluent, in addition to safeguard and promote the enduring financial, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA additionally provides America’s 57.7 million anglers a voice in coverage choices that have an effect on their means to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways by way of Hold America Fishing, our nationwide angler advocacy marketing campaign. America’s anglers generate greater than $50 billion in retail gross sales with a $230.5 billion impression on the nation’s economic system creating employment for 1.1 million individuals.
