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NRC Calls National Marine Fisheries Service Recreational Fisheries Data “Fatally Flawed”
by Mary Jane Williamson

March 31, 2006, Alexandria VA—The American Sportfishing Association supports the conclusions of the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies of Science that the data used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for fishery management decisions is “fatally flawed” and needs to be “completely redesigned.”

During a March 29 meeting of state fisheries directors and the sportfishing community in Washington, D.C., the NRC, represented by a council member, made these remarks as part of its report to the group on the adequacy of NMFS’ recreational sportfishing data collection program. The NRC report was commissioned by NMFS and was conducted over the course of the past year.

For years, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has voiced its concerns about the recreational data used to regulate saltwater sportfishing. In many cases, closures and other restrictions have been imposed based on this data.

Recreational anglers have long been aware of the importance of conservation to keep fisheries healthy. In testimony to the NRC panel last year, ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman noted the sportfishing community’s commitment to fishery resources citing the approximately one billion in license fees and excise taxes that go directly to fishery management and conservation each year.

However, fishery management decisions can have severe economic consequences. Last fall, NMFS attempted to close the entire recreational grouper season in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, NMFS has recommended closing the West Coast ocean salmon season for the remainder of 2006 for all of California and part of Oregon.

The 13 million saltwater anglers in the United States contribute over $31 billion annually to the nation’s economy. Many communities in coastal states depend on sportfishing to support their local economies, and are the hardest hit by management decisions. Commenting on the importance of good data in making good management decisions, ASA VP Gordon Robertson stated, "fishery management decisions can have significant economic and resource impacts. They absolutely must be based on reliable data. If they are not, the public will have little confidence in those decisions." Robertson added, “for some sportfishing businesses, flawed data leading to flawed fishery management decisions can spell the end of their charter or tackle business. Not only does this trifle with a public trust resource but with an individual’s livelihood.”

ASA supports recent efforts by Congress to improve recreational data. Currently, Congress is considering reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the principal federal law governing marine fisheries. Two of the proposed bills have provisions for improving recreational data collection. Nussman further said, "we are pleased that the authors of the Senate and House bills, Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Pombo respectively, have recognized the need for better sportfishing data, and look forward to working with them to find the most effective way to address this problem.”

The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing.

 

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