Saltwater Angler Registration

Posted by Alan Sorum Jun 11, 2008

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service is soliciting public comment on proposed rulemaking that would require anglers fishing in federally controlled ocean waters to register with the government before fishing by the year 2009. This proposed rule would also require registration of fishermen that catch anadromous species like salmon and striped bass anywhere.

The Agency contends that this requirement is necessary to meet recommendations made by the National Academy of Science National Research Council to establish a national database of saltwater anglers and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Exemptions may be made to states like Alaska that issue saltwater fishing licenses.

Jim Balsiger of the Fisheries Service says in the rulemaking announcement, “The national registry of saltwater anglers is the key to closing a major gap in information on recreational fishing. It will help us conduct surveys to get a more complete picture of how recreational fishing by an estimated 14 million people is affecting fish stocks. This will lead to better stock assessments and more effective regulations to rebuild and manage these valuable fish.”

Under the proposed rule, fishermen would need to register each year and eventually an estimated $20 fee will be assessed by the Agency. Information collected will include the name, address, and telephone number of the angler. Penalties for failure to register aren't immediately apparent in reading the proposed regulations.

Saltwater anglers concerned with this effort need to make comments to NOAA by 11 August 2008 and consider contacting their elected representatives. Written comments can be mailed to NOAA using RIN 0648-AW10 as a reference number to the address below. Comments can also be filed electronically.

John Boreman - Director

Office of Science and Technology NMFS

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Attn.: Gordon Colvin