Outdoor News Daily

With the summer fishing season starting to wind down, the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding saltwater anglers about the new law that took effect this year creating the National Saltwater Angler Registry. The purpose of the registry is to aid managers in maintaining the long-term sustainability of saltwater recreational fishing and the health of our oceans.

Most people fishing off the coast of New Jersey need to sign up with the National Saltwater Angler Registry. The Registry is a new tool that will help NOAA and anglers work together to conserve our oceans. It is important for three major reasons:

1) As a national “phone book” of saltwater fishermen, the Registry will make it possible to collect better data about who’s been fishing and how often.

2) Better data ultimately means better decision-making when it comes to setting regulations that affect recreational fishermen, ocean enthusiasts, coastal communities and the thousands of Garden State residents whose lives and livelihoods are connected to fishing.

3) Currently, no one has a reliable count of the number of U.S. recreational saltwater anglers. The Registry will help produce a more accurate accounting of fishermen, which will in turn allow for a true assessment of the economic and stewardship impacts of recreational fishing.

All New Jersey saltwater fishermen need to find out if they’re required to register, and if so sign up as soon as possible. Even if you’ve put your rod up for the year, remember: If you’ve fished – make sure you’ve registered.

Registration is free for 2010. To find out if you’re required to register or to register, visit http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/, or call 1-888-MRIP-411.

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