Recreational Fisheries Management in the USA Michael Kelly NOAA National Marine Fisheries Services

Our Mission Stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management and the promotion of healthy ecosystems.

Recreational Sea Angling in the USA 2005 Profile Over 14 million participants Over 93 million fishing trips last year Fifth most popular outdoor activity Over 135 thousand metric tons landed per year Economic impact of more than $30 billion Over $22 billion in related expenditures More than 349,000 jobs supported Over $12 billion in related personal income

Total Harvest (in 1,000’s of pounds) RecreationalCommercial Striped Bass13,4636,715 Bluefish12,7788,299 Summer Flounder12,52315,170 Dolphinfish12, Red Drum9,85012 Spotted Seatrout9, King & Cero Mackerel8,7214,881 Atlantic Croaker8,21325,304 Yellowtail5, Yellowfin Tuna5,60717,124 Recreational and Commercial Harvest Top Recreational Species

Recreational Fisheries in the USA Over half of all fish caught are returned alive Largest organized constituency of NOAA Continued expansion expected –Florida 88% increase since 1981 –California 25% increase since 1993

Recreational Fisheries in the USA First annual meeting of Billfish Tournament Directors - November 2006 Closure of EZZ to Striped Bass fishing Circle hooks in Atlantic Billfish Tournaments Turning Management Adversaries into Partners

Recreational Fisheries in the USA EA The Ethical Angler: Promotes, through education and practice, ethical behavior in the use of aquatic resources. Values and respects the aquatic environment and all living things in it. Avoids spilling, and never dumps, any pollutants, such as gasoline and oil, into the aquatic environment. Disposes of all trash, including worn-out lines, leaders, and hooks, in appropriate containers, and helps to keep fishing sites litter-free. Takes all precautionary measures necessary to prevent the spread of exotic plants and animals, including live baitfish, into non-native habitats. Learns and obeys angling and boating regulations, and treats other anglers, boaters, and property owners with courtesy and respect. Respects property rights, and never trespasses on private lands or waters. Keeps no more fish than needed for consumption, and never wastefully discards fish that are retained. Practices conservation by carefully handling and releasing alive all fish that are unwanted or prohibited by regulation, as well as other animals that may become hooked or entangled accidentally. Uses tackle and techniques which minimize harm to fish when engaging in "catch and release" angling.

U.S. Marine Recreational Fishery Economic Impacts Top Ten States

Regional Fishery Management Councils prepare fishery management plans(FMP) for fisheries within their respective jurisdictions. The Secretary of Commerce approves the FMPs, and then implements them by regulation, carries them out and enforces them. The Councils and the Secretary each have responsibilities for ongoing monitoring of fisheries. Amendment of FMPs follows same pattern. Pattern for Marine Fisheries Management

Challanges Marine Recreational Fishing Data Improve Management: lack of understanding concerning the state of the resource Unhappy constituents: Lack of trust and low angler participation in management process. Allocation between users Poor communication

NOAA’s Recreational Fisheries Approach Improved service to the recreational community Increase recreational participation in NOAA processes Promote stewardship of ocean resources Improved management of recreational species and their habitats Promote recreational fishing opportunities and access

The Plan Science Need to develop better data Need to include community in science Management Getting managers the data they need Getting anglers to the table Communications 2 way

Plan Implementation Aggressive, Regional Implementation –New coordinators, New coalitions –Regional inventory, regional priority setting Responsive program development New regional scale efficiencies Broader pressure on Congress for new funds

Current Efforts MSA Reauthorization New Federal Saltwater License –Need for consistent data from the States Hiring new regional coordinators Created 2 Regional Teams: California and Gulf of Mexico

Challenges Entrenched Commercial Interests –Cultural Institution Diffusion of saltwater recreational community –Larger than commercial Data collection Recreational or non-commercial

Development Opportunities Provide new opportunities for great fishing experiences in destination locations Recreational Fisheries Development –Assessments of appropriate regions Biological assessments Economic, cultural, political assessment –Replacing small boat traditional fisheries with recreational fleet Exporting technology to diminish bycatch of non-target species and post release mortality Improve data sharing between regions

World Recreational Fisheries Conference International Game Fish Association Dania Beach, Florida USA 2008

Gracias Thank You

Saugus, MA New England Fishery Management Council Charleston, SC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Dover, DE Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Tampa, FL Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Hato Ray, Puerto Rico Caribbean Fishery Management Council Honolulu, HI Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Anchorage, AK North Pacific Fishery Management Council Portland, OR Pacific Fishery Management Council 8 Fishery Management Councils

M-S Act created 8 regional fishery management councils. Councils funded through Congressional appropriations. Council system provides primary stakeholders substantial role in managing fisheries and resources. Fishery Management Councils

Northwest Region Regional Office: Seattle, WA Science Center: Seattle, WA Laboratories Seattle, WA Newport, OR Alaska Region Regional Office: Juneau, AK Science Center: Seattle, WA (Sand Point) Laboratories Seattle, WA Auke Bay, AK Kodiak, AK Southwest Region Regional Office: Long Beach, CA Science Center: La Jolla, CA Laboratories La Jolla, CA Santa Cruz, CA Pacific Grove, CA Northeast Region Regional Office: Gloucester, MA Science Center: Woods Hole, MA Laboratories Woods Hole, MA Narragansett, RI Milford, CT Highlands, NJ Washington, DC NOAA Fisheries Field Structure Southeast Region Regional Office: St. Petersburg, FL Science Center: Miami, FL Laboratories Miami, FL Beaufort, NC Panama City, FL Pascagoula, MS Galveston, TX Headquarters Silver Spring, MD Pacific Islands Region Regional Office: Honolulu, HI Science Center: Honolulu, HI Laboratory : Honolulu, HI NOAA Fisheries Around the USA

Overview: Enacted in 1976 as Fishery Conservation and Management Act, later re-named Magnuson, then Magnuson-Stevens. Primary law for conserving and managing fisheries resources in Federal waters (EEZ). States still responsible for managing fishery resources within state waters. Magnuson-Stevens Act

History: Phase out of foreign fishing. Develop domestic fisheries. It’s worked! Percentage of fish harvested by foreign nations has declined from 71% in 1977 to near zero percent since Sustainable Fisheries Act amended Act in Emphasis now on conservation. Magnuson-Stevens Act

Employment in U.S. Commercial vs. Recreational Fishing Industries (includes processors and wholesalers)

Recreational Sea Angling in the U.S. Michael Kelly, Chief National Marine Fisheries Service Recreational Fisheries

Recreational Fishing in the U.S Profile 11 Million anglers 93 million trips (excluding Alaska and Texas)

Applications – 50% Reduction in the Red Snapper Bag Limit

Angler Expenditures Total expenditures $22.6 in 2000 –Total trip expenditures $3.5 billion –Total durable expenditures $19.2 billion Top states: –Florida $8.4 billion –California $2.5 billion –North Carolina $1.6 billion –Washington $1.4 billion –Louisiana $1.2billion

Tsunamis and Hurricanes Tsunami of 2005 –Difficulty in assessing impacts on recreational fishing community –Rebuilding for sustainable use Hurricane Katrina –Difficulty in assessing impacts on recreational fishing community –Rebuilding for sustainable use Infrastructure - more than a boat and a cooler