National Saltwater Angler Registry

Proposed federal rules would establish requirements for anglers fishing in federal waters or for anadromous fish anywhere, such as striped bass and shad, to register with the NOAA Fisheries Service beginning in January 2009. The purpose of this national saltwater angler registry is to contribute to improving the efficiency and accuracy of recreational fishing surveys. This program was established in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act of 2006.

Anglers fishing in Florida may not be required to register with NOAA if Florida qualifies as an exempted state under this program. States could qualify for this exemption status if they already license the vast majority of their anglers and make their license database available to NOAA with the necessary contact information. Florida’s exemption for resident shore-based anglers currently would not allow Florida to qualify as an exempted state under this program. Additionally, to qualify as an exempted state, Florida will also be required to provide contact information for senior anglers and combination or multi-year license holders by 2011.

The national saltwater angler registry program is scheduled to take effect January 2009. There will be no fees for the first two years of the program, but fees ranging $15 to $25 are likely beginning in 2011.

A public comment period on this registry program is open through August 11.

Timeline:

Magnuson-Stevens Act of 2006 signed into law in January 2007
Proposed rules published on June 11
Comment period ends August 11
Federal registration of anglers in non-exempted states begins January 1, 2009
Fees for registration likely to be required in 2011