NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission co-hosted the 4th National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit in March 2022. The 2-day Summit brought together members of the recreational fishing community to discuss and collaborate around the most pressing issues facing marine anglers across the country. There were roughly 170 in-person participants from the recreational fishing community, including private anglers, for-hire captains, fishing trade groups, and media from all along our coasts. Fishery scientists and managers from the Regional Fishery Management Councils, Interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions, and NOAA Fisheries also participated.
The theme of this year’s Summit was Recreational Fisheries in a Time of Change. There were a number of clear takeaways from the topics we discussed.
Climate Resilient Fisheries
“Nimble” was the word of the day during these discussions. Fisheries science and management are complex, which can often result in slow and deliberate processes. However, the speed at which changing ocean conditions are being observed requires more nimble and adaptive science and management approaches. There was also a strong desire for NOAA Fisheries to lead this conversation and provide the Councils and Commissions additional tools to tackle inter-jurisdictional governance challenges in the face of expanding, contracting, or shifting populations.
Continue reading at fisheries.noaa.gov.
