Welcome to NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service). NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to the stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and the promotion of healthy ecosystems.

As a steward, NOAA Fisheries Service conserves, protects, and manages living marine resources in a way that ensures their continuation as functioning components of marine ecosystems, affords economic opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for the American public.

Hot Issues

		NOAA Launches National Saltwater Angler Registry January 1 A federal regulation requiring most people who fish recreationally in salt water to be registered with the National Saltwater Angler Registry goes into effect Friday, January 1, 2010. The registry will help address that concern by providing a comprehensive list of the nation's saltwater anglers that will be used to improve surveys of fishermen. These surveys are used by NOAA scientists to assess the health of fish stocks and to estimate the economic contributions of anglers. To register, anglers can visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov or call the toll-free registration line at 1-888-MRIP-411. > read more
		NOAA Takes Steps to Improve Law Enforcement NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco has directed the agency’s enforcement and legal offices to take steps to promote greater transparency in law enforcement, ensure fairness in penalties, and improve lines of communication with commercial and recreational fishermen. > read more
		Nation’s First Marine Debris Action Plan Implemented in Hawaii NOAA and several partners in Hawaii have announced a comprehensive long-term plan to actively assess and remove plastics, derelict fishing gear, and other human sources of marine debris from coastal waters and coral reefs along the island chain. > read more
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