Saltwater recreational fishing is a traditional American pastime integral to social, cultural, and economic life in communities across the nation. This time-honored activity allows millions to access America’s great outdoors each year, while generating billions of dollars in economic activity.  The National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy is essential to shaping NOAA Fisheries’ approach to recreational fishermen and their fisheries. 

NOAA recognizes the need to adapt with a changing climate and the evolving needs of recreational fisheries and anglers. With the perspectives shared during the 2022 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit, NOAA Fisheries requests your input on revising the Policy during the public comment period of August 1 - December 31, 2022. Please visit this website to provide feedback on any changes or updates you would like to suggest for the Policy. The website will also show dates for public meetings and webinars when they are confirmed.

The Policy serves as a platform to help the public understand NOAA Fisheries’ perspectives and approaches to recreational fisheries issues. Developed with extensive public input, the 2015 Policy reflects the priorities of the day.  Its goals and principles help guide Agency deliberations with regard to supporting and maintaining high quality sustainable saltwater recreational fisheries.  

“Recreational anglers are one of NOAA Fisheries key constituencies,” said Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Janet Coit. “I am eager for input from our partners and the public to help us shape how NOAA Fisheries advances sustainable recreational fishing opportunities at a time when ocean uses and ecosystems are changing rapidly.”

Find additional information and link to the comment portal on our website.

NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, along with Tidal Bay Consulting, released the final report from the 2022 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit. 

This important two day meeting brought together over 175 recreational anglers, managers, scientists and industry representatives to discuss the most pressing issues facing the future of marine recreational fishing. The four main topics of the summit were climate change, balancing ocean uses (offshore wind and marine aquaculture), data, and management. The Summit report captures the ideas shared throughout the Summit including the presentations and break out group discussions.

In addition to the final Summit report, NOAA Fisheries is releasing a series of commitments that aid in addressing issues identified at the 2022 Summit. These projects are not an endpoint. They are a continuation of our commitment to improve life on the water for anglers and are the next steps in the ongoing process.  Many of these actions are collaborative in nature and continue to support ongoing sustainable recreational fishing.

NOAA Fisheries is committed to continued collaboration with the recreational fishing community and advancing the issues discussed during the Summit. If you would like additional information about any of these projects, contact your regional recreational coordinator.  Find our actions to address the findings of the 2022 National Recreational Fisheries Summit here.

NOAA Fisheries announces the call for applications for the new American Fisheries Advisory Committee. The Committee was established by the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act in May 2022 for the purpose of making recommendations for Saltonstall-Kennedy priorities and grant award funding. The Act requires the establishment of a 22-member committee with three representatives from each of six regions. Members will represent seafood sectors, including processors, recreational and commercial fishermen and seafood farmers, fisheries scientists, and regional fishery management council members. Additionally, there will be four at-large members, including one representative each from the retail and marketing sector, commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, and NOAA Fisheries.

Applications may be submitted to nmfs.afac.nominations@noaa.gov from August 10, 2022, until September 24, 2022. The selection process will be based on thorough vetting of all nominees, who will be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce through delegated authority to the NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator. The Secretary will announce regional and at-large members of the committee by December 1, 2022.

Once selected, this new committee will evaluate and make recommendations for the annual Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Competition. The Act states the committee shall be responsible for developing the request for proposals, reviewing applications for grants after the technical review, and selecting applications for approval. As a reminder, Saltonstall-Kennedy funds are used to provide grants or cooperative agreements for fisheries research and development projects addressing aspects of U.S. fisheries, including but not limited to harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated business infrastructures. 

Additional application information is available on our website.  Also, read about the 2022 Recommended Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Projects here.

The Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) is a platform for fishermen to connect with key regional science center and fishery management experts, learn the nuts and bolts of fisheries science and management, and gain tools and insights into effective engagement. The next MREP West Coast Fisheries Science and Management workshop will be a two-part series hosted October 4-6, 2022 (science) and January 17-19, 2023 (management). Applications are being accepted now, and those interested are encouraged to apply by August 21, 2022. Find more information and the application here.

NOAA Fisheries has issued a proposed rule (87 FR 44318) to create a permitting system for the Pacific halibut recreational charter and commercial halibut fisheries in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Area 2A off of Washington, Oregon, and California. These permitting and management activities for Area 2A are currently performed by the IPHC; under this proposed rule, NMFS will implement these Area 2A-specific permitting and management activities. The comment period is open until August 25, 2022. The proposed rule and link to the comment portal can be found here.

NOAA Fisheries has announced additional season dates for the Washington, Columbia River, and Oregon Central Coast Pacific halibut recreational fisheries in Area 2A (Washington, Oregon, and California).  Additionally, the Pacific halibut recreational fishery off of California has closed as of August 7th at 11:59pm, after the latest catch projections indicated the annual quota would be exceeded unless the fishery was closed.

Anglers can always access the most up-to-date information on NOAA Fisheries’ Pacific halibut hotline at (800) 662-9825. Inseason notifications and additional information can also be found on our website here.