On June 11, 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries released a proposed rule on the National Saltwater Angler Registry. The proposed rule outlines the process NOAA Fisheries will use for registering saltwater recreational anglers. It also addresses the qualifications and procedures for exempting states and their anglers from the federal registration requirement.
CORE ISSUE
In order to make better management decisions regarding migratory fish, scientists need catch and effort data that is more accurate, precise and timely. The solution is to create a national registry, essentially a phonebook, of anglers to account for every person that goes saltwater fishing. This phone book of anglers will be used to reduce bias and improve the efficiency of catch and effort surveys. Instead of asking a random sample of coastal U.S. residents if they have gone fishing, an angler registry would allow NOAA to target surveys only to those Americans that have identified themselves as fishermen. For example, if you wanted a loaf of bread you wouldn’t randomly visit a hardware store or a post office. You would go straight to a grocery store. Likewise, if you want to know how the fishing is, you ask fishermen.
WHO
With some exceptions, anglers who fish in Maryland tidal waters, and may catch anadromous (migratory) species, will need to be registered. Some approved registry exceptions are anglers under 16 years of age, anglers who fish only on licensed charter, or guide boats, and persons who hold commercial fishing licenses or permits. Commercial fishermen and licensed charter and guide captains already provide the necessary contact information to the State.
HOW
NOAA will be using a variety of methods to register anglers with the goal of making the registration process as easy as possible. The angler registry will collect just enough information for NOAA to identify and contact a recreational fisherman about how often he or she goes fishing. This information will not be made public; it will be used only by NOAA to conduct surveys. NOAA must implement a national saltwater angler registry by January 2009, as mandated by Congress. NOAA will not collect registry fees until 2011, at which time the fees are estimated to be $15 to $25 per angler. Any fees collected as part of the national registry will revert to the National Treasury. In other words, the money will not be used to manage fisheries in Maryland.
WHAT IS DNR’s ROLE
Once NOAA issues a final decision, Maryland will be engaging with fishermen to determine the most efficient way to capture the contact information on anglers. In addition, Maryland will be working with NOAA to evaluate all exemption options and registry needs. Currently Maryland does not collect the required contact information (angler’s phone number) with a license sale, and several fishing license exemptions (e.g. boat license and coastal fishing) do not comply with the angler registry. We must think creatively about how to capture this information. The registry is cost free to Maryland anglers for two years. This time will be used to determine the best system to meet the data needs of NOAA and provide funding for restoration and fishery management in the Maryland.
NEXT STEP
In early November 2008, after fully reviewing and evaluating the public comments, NOAA plans to publish the final rule on the angler registry in the Federal Register.
