As we begin the new year, Washington, D.C., has many new faces in the halls of Congress. As of Jan. 3, new members of the 118th Congress will be sworn in, and senators and representatives will head to the Capitol, eager to tackle many issues. From inflation to health care, immigration and workforce challenges, and ongoing tax and trade issues, there is a long list of to-dos.
There are good reasons for the marine industry to be on that list. This past November, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released its annual report showcasing the economic impact of the outdoor recreation industry, inclusive of traditional forms of outdoor recreation, such as boating and fishing, RVing, motorsports, snow sports and more. The numbers shine a light on the economic driver that outdoor recreation continues to be: In 2021, the outdoor recreation industry generated $862 billion in economic input across the United States, employing 4.5 million Americans. The industry accounts for 1.9% of America’s GDP, contributing more to the U.S. economy than oil and gas extraction, mining and agriculture.
What’s more, the industry is growing faster than the U.S. economy. The outdoor recreation industry increased 18.9% in 2021, compared with a 5.9% increase for the overall U.S. economy.
The new data shows recreational boating and fishing, once again, as the No. 1 contributors to the outdoor recreation economy. Boating and fishing are the most popular recreation activity in 27 states and Washington, D.C. This enthusiasm is a welcome sign for an industry that is proud to contribute more than 690,000 jobs to America’s workforce and that supports more than 35,000 businesses.
Americans are more eager than ever to make a splash in the boating and fishing space, a fact that has been true since the onset of the pandemic. The boating community has welcomed more than 800,000 first-time boat buyers since 2020, numbers the industry has not seen since before the Great Recession of 2008.
When considering the new economic data and continued interest in boating, one thing rings clear: There is a need to invest in our public lands, waters and recreation infrastructure from coast to coast. Many Americans have experienced the unique sense of joy and freedom that comes with spending time in the great outdoors, and as more and more Americans flock to our nation’s waterways, Congress must focus on protecting boating access across the nation. Congress also must work in tandem with the industry to identify solutions and head off onerous, sweeping regulations.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association has been a leading advocate for boating access and safety. This type of advocacy is especially important now, when a flawed proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could lower vessel speed limits along virtually the entire Atlantic coast, affecting countless boaters, anglers, small businesses, coastal communities and jobs. This proposal drastically underestimates the effects on boaters without sound scientific evidence that what it proposes will actually protect Atlantic right whales. The imposition of unprecedented speed limits and neglecting to engage the marine industry in conversations surrounding the rulemaking process pose serious consequences for the $170 billion recreational boating and fishing industry and the safety of boaters.
Boaters and anglers contribute $740 million every year toward conservation efforts, and we proudly support sound policy to protect the Atlantic right whale population. However, NOAA’s proposal misses the mark and could cause unintended, harmful consequences. We urge regulators to reconsider this rule to ensure that boating and fishing remain safe and accessible for all.
Marine manufacturers rely on free and fair trade, global supply chains and a stable business environment to remain competitive. Section 301 tariffs on imports from China have affected more than 300 commonly used components, materials and parts, costing the industry millions of dollars in new taxes since 2018. Seeking the elimination of these tariffs, or the reinstatement and expansion of the exclusion process, remains a priority.
It is also critical to have a ready and skilled workforce to fill the more than 30,000 available jobs across the industry. Pursuing incentives and training opportunities for the boating industry workforce may assist with recruitment and provide a stable workforce.
As more Americans than ever enjoy the great outdoors and waterways, we also need to invest properly in our nation’s recreation infrastructure, which is experiencing rapid wear and tear due to an increase in participation and the impact of climate change. America’s recreation infrastructure is in serious need of renovation and expansion to keep up with demand and further mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The NMMA was pleased to see the inclusion of the Water Resources Development Act in the National Defense Authorization Act — a crucial water infrastructure bill passed with bipartisan support on a biennial basis. To support our nation’s infrastructure needs, Congress also has the opportunity to advance the Prepare Act, legislation that would provide small businesses with much-needed capital to invest in disaster-resilient infrastructure. Protecting small businesses from inevitable natural disasters is crucial: Every $1 spent on mitigation grants yields a $6 return of avoided losses in the future.
The recreational boating community has long been an advocate for conservation, at the forefront of protecting our environment, waterways and natural resources for decades. During the past 20 years, the industry has made significant investments toward reducing its emissions and carbon footprint by creating innovative technologies and products, including the transition to next-generation marine propulsion systems such as electric, sustainable fuels and hydrogen applications.
As we take this step forward, there are unique realities and challenges facing the boating industry that will require different solutions depending on the type of boat and its intended use. And while next-generation propulsion systems have entered the marketplace, a majority of the 12 million registered boats in the United States are still powered by internal combustion engines. The NMMA looks forward to continuing conversations with Congress and the Biden administration as we look toward the future of boating.
The boating industry has a bright future, but that will only come with a continued focus on protecting access, investing in our infrastructure, supporting our manufacturers and being clear-eyed about the industry’s needs as we look toward the next generation of propulsion systems. We will have a divided Congress, which comes with unique challenges in moving legislation forward, but boating has always enjoyed bipartisan support.
As we kick off the new year and welcome a new Congress, the NMMA looks forward to working with the administration, Congress and our boating champions in the Congressional Boating Caucus to strengthen and protect the industry — a true economic engine and job creator within the outdoor recreation economy.
Tillie Fowler is the National Marine Manufacturers Association senior vice president for government relations and regulatory affairs.
This article was originally published in the January 2023 issue.
