Grassroots Campaign Urges Anglers to Spend “5 Minutes for Fish” to Stop NOAA Cuts

A new grassroots campaign, “5 Minutes for Fish” is calling on anglers, guides, and citizens nationwide to spend just five minutes contacting Congress to oppose severe budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The House FY26 appropriations bills propose a 6% cut to NOAA, over $386 million, including a nearly 40% cut to the National Marine Fisheries Service. These programs are the backbone of America’s fisheries, funding habitat restoration, fish science, and management. Without them, monitoring slows, habitat recovery stalls, and fish populations decline without notice.

Fishing generates an economic impact that’s 100 times greater than NOAA’s entire budget; it’s just common sense to invest in science that protects that value. “These cuts aren’t just bad for fish, they’re devastating for communities, small businesses, and future generations who depend on healthy waters.”

The campaign emphasizes that decisions made in Washington this year will determine whether future generations inherit abundant waters or only stories of how good the fishing used to be.

Why It Matters

• NOAA Operations, Research, and Facilities face a $257 million reduction from last year’s enacted levels.
• Fisheries science and monitoring through the National Marine Fisheries Service face funding losses of nearly 40%

Without these investments, managers will be left flying blind in the face of climate change and shifting fish populations.

The Call to Action

The “5 Minutes for Fish” campaign is asking anglers, guides, local business owners, and concerned citizens to:

• Call or email their House Representatives and Senators.
• Urge Congress to fund fish science, habitat restoration, and adaptive management.
• Protect fishing opportunities for future generations and the communities they sustain.

When anglers, guides, and small business owners speak up, it carries real weight. One call makes a difference. Thousands can’t be ignored.

How to Participate

• Find your Representatives and Senators through www.tomorrowsfish.org.
• Use the provided phone and email scripts to personalize your outreach.
• Share one of the campaign images on Instagram, tag five fellow anglers and your representative and Senator and use the hashtags #5MinutesForFish and #tomorrowsfish to spread the word.

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