ANCHORAGE, Alaska — July 10, 2014 — The National Marine Fisheries Service is working on a draft policy that could incorporate more consideration of marine recreational fishing in management actions.
The agency, or NMFS, has released four draft goals for a new national saltwater recreational fisheries policy. An October hearing is planned to get input from Alaskans.
According to information from NMFS, the recreational fishing policy will provide values to guide fishery management decisions made under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
According to a statement from NMFS, “The effort is about better understanding angler needs, better tailoring our programs and services, and empowering anglers to be responsible stewards.”
In Alaska, marine recreational fishing generated 4,824 jobs, $213 million in income impacts, $558 million in sales impacts and $337 million in value-added impacts in 2012, according to the most recent fisheries economics report produced by NMFS.
That doesn’t reflect the full recreational sector though, as it looks only at durable equipment, for-hire trips, private boat trips and shore trips for the marine recreational sector.
The draft goals look at fostering and enhancing recreational and non-commercial fisheries and public access; integrating saltwater recreational and non-commercial considerations throughout the federal marine fisheries management system; encouraging partnership, engagement and innovation; and enhancing transparency, follow-through and continuity.
In a document on the draft goals, the agency suggested better communication, cooperative research and long-term funding for recreational programs as possible ways to accomplish the latter two goals.
The effort to develop a plan has been supported by the recreational industry.
Both Kenai River Sportfishing Association Executive Director Ricky Gease and SouthEast Alaska Guides Organization Executive Director Heath Hilyard said they support the work the agency is doing to develop a plan.
“I think elevating the issue to have a national policy is important,” Gease said.
The recreational sector released its own report on saltwater recreational fisheries in the spring, “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries,” which included a call for a national policy such as the one being developed.
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