Today’s guest on the Saltwater Edge Podcast is a passionate, lifelong fisherman and a tough salty bastard, but those are table stakes for being an effective fisheries advocate. Stir in a deep respect for the past and an unwavering ability to focus on “fish first” as your North Star, and you get the best in the game.

The American Saltwater Guides Association is a young organization founded in 2018 that has grown rapidly due to its core values of science, education, and advocacy. Today’s guest conceived of an organization with a “fish first science-based” approach to fisheries management. He recruited me to serve as Chairman, which has been some of the most gratifying work of my career. He is the rare combination of a patient strategist playing the long game and a very effective “sales guy” when he sees the right opportunity.

Please welcome the 2024 Garden and Gun Conservation Award winner, ASGA President and Policy Director and “not everybody's cup of tea” Tony Friedrich.

Show notes:

Peter Jenkins, the host of the Saltwater Edge podcast, interviews Tony Friedrich, President and Policy Director of the American Saltwater Guide Association. They discuss various fishing tactics, fisheries management, and conservation efforts. Friedrich shares his journey from growing up passionate about fishing, influenced by his family and mentors like Lefty Kreh, to leading impactful advocacy work with ASGA. They highlight ASGA's science-based approach to fisheries management, focusing on public education and building an 'advocate army' to influence policy. Key discussions include the economic impact of fisheries, challenges in fisheries management, and current efforts to protect species like striped bass and false albacore.

00:34 Introducing Today's Guest: Tony Friedrich
01:44 Tony's Early Life and Passion for Fishing
08:20 Mentorship and Influences: Lefty Kreh
20:34 Fisheries Management and Conservation Efforts
22:24 Challenges in Fisheries Advocacy
32:12 The Importance of False Albacore Management
34:54 Hitting a Wall: The Need for Science
35:12 Community Engagement and Advocacy
35:54 Building an Advocate Army
36:35 Success Stories and Wins
37:17 Skill Training for Advocacy
37:48 The Importance of a Unified Voice
38:55 Upcoming Events and Key Dates
40:09 Expanding Conservation Efforts
45:12 Economic Impact of Fisheries
48:57 The Value of Recreational Fisheries
55:58 Challenges and Future Directions
59:55 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts