Our Impact
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Measuring the movement. Real data, real change, real stories.
Participation & Representation
Recent national participation data shows that recreational fishing is growing — andbecoming more diverse than ever before.
Female participation increased by 10%, reaching nearly 20 million women anglers.
Approximately 13.5 million youth ages 6–17 participated in fishing activities.
Research indicates that the vast majority of adult anglers began fishing before age 12 — underscoring the importance of early exposure.
Hispanic participation reached a historic high, with nearly 5 million anglers.
African American participation saw double-digit year-over-year growth, representing a steadily increasing share of the angling community.
Why This Matters to MEA
These trends confirm what we believe:
✔ Early access matters.
✔ Representation matters.
✔ Intentional inclusion matters.
Youth engagement strengthens the future of conservation.
Women’s participation strengthens leadership on the water.
Diverse participation strengthens the outdoor community as a whole.
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Marine Equity Alliance builds on this momentum by creating structured, supportive
pathways for women and youth to enter — and remain — active in fishing and marine stewardship.
