Recreational Saltwater Fishing in Alaska
NOAA Fisheries National Recreational Fishing Program
Goals and objectives of NMFS recreational fishing program:
- Identify and evaluate potential management alternatives that account for recreational values
- Identify and develop management tools that work best for recreational fisheries
- Improve the accuracy, precision, and timeliness of recreational catch and effort data through the implementation of a Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP)
- Increase the frequency of stock assessments of important recreational fishing stocks to support management needs.
- Review allocation process and goals and provide economic data suitable for managers to evaluate/make allocation and regulatory decisions
- Understand the socio-economic impacts of Natural Disasters/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
- Improve understanding of human dimensions of recreational fishing (e.g. angler satisfaction, motivations).
- Ensure appropriately balanced stakeholder representation in a range of decision-making processes.
- Establish regular and better communication with recreational fishermen
- Increase the number of cooperative research opportunities and partnerships with recreational fishermen
- Better integrate recreational values into NOAA/NOAA Fisheries' core mission
