Feds Issue Regional Plans for Recreational Saltwater Fishing

There will be some new rules, practices, and management strategies during the next two years for those who fish recreationally in US saltwaters.

NOAA Fisheries Service has developed an action plan for each of the 6 coastal regions (plus a plan for highly migratory Atlantic species), and anticipates completing new and ongoing projects outlined in each regional plan during the next 12-24 months. More than 11 million people recreationally fish in saltwater, and more than 300,000 people have jobs in related industries; many will be affected by the plans.

• Regional saltwater recreational fishing action agendas, November 2011; Dec. 6, 2011, press release.

Projects will include a wide range of education and communication efforts, targeted fisheries improvements, altered management approaches, scientific studies, and improvements in social and economic data. Many agencies and organizations you can contact are mentioned in each region's plan.

National and regional NOAA contacts are available at:

• News Room (at bottom).

The relatively detailed plans for each region are intended to complement the existing national plan.

• Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Action Agenda, October 2010.

For related information on saltwater fish and the beleaguered straits many are in, see the TipSheet of April 27, 2011.