WELCOME TO BILL'S CORNER!

Dear Constituents,

NOAA Fisheries Service has just received preliminary findings from the National Research Council – a branch of the National Academy of Sciences – about our recreational data collection science program. You might remember that I commissioned NRC to conduct this review in the fall of 2004 as part of an overall effort to modernize our science program for recreational fishing. I was pleased to hear these results, along with the State fisheries directors and the recreational fishing industry, on March 30 in Arlington , Virginia . It is fitting that we all received NRC's findings together, as it will take teamwork by all of us to see NRC's recommendations become a reality.

Recreational fisheries are a $30 billion per year industry in the United States . As this social and economic value grows, so does the importance of NOAA's science and management of recreational species. Our efforts to collect important information about recreational catches will never be successful if we do not have the support of the recreational fishing community. In order to earn this support, our recreational science program must be strengthened to keep pace with the evolving characteristics of the industry and the changing needs of fisheries managers. I heard this message from the recreational community – which prompted the NRC study – and now we have been shown a way forward. We are fortunate that recreational fishermen recognize the importance of sustainable fishing, and I have faith that we can make the changes that are necessary to earn their trust and support of our science and management programs.

NRC's primary recommendation endorses NOAA's proposal for a universal angler registration program. Many of the current challenges with recreational fishing data will be overcome by having a comprehensive database of all saltwater anglers. The database will allow us to regularly check in with anglers to accurately determine catch and fishing effort.

I agree with NRC that an angler registration would help fix some of the identified problems, and it is helpful to have their endorsement of the Administration's proposal for an angler registration program, which is included in the bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It is now clear that we must have all the states onboard and the support of anglers to get this angler registration adopted and implemented. You all have my commitment to seeing this through, and I trust that I can count on everyone to roll up your sleeves and join me.

NRC found some fundamental problems with our current recreational science program, the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey. We have long recognized that the program is neither comprehensive nor flawless. As scientists, our goal is to make sure that our data is accurate and that our methods produce statistically valid results. We have to make adjustments for bias and a number of other issues that could skew the results. Our goal is to be as precise as possible, and I do feel that MRFSS has provided us with the best scientific data available. By implementing NRC's recommendations, we can make the data even better. My staff in the Office of Science and Technology is thoroughly reviewing all of NRC's recommendations so that we can take immediate action to reduce biases in the MRFSS survey.

Now we have the challenge before us to adopt and implement a more comprehensive approach through an angler registration. I'm proud of my staff for moving us forward, towards these improvements, even while NRC conducted its review and developed its recommendations. The NRC provided a menu of possible improvements, and now we are working with others in the scientific community and sportfishing industry to find solutions that are both affordable for tax-payers and useful for scientists and fishery managers. We're already considering pilot projects to implement some of the NRC recommendations in the Gulf of Mexico .

While we are implementing these changes, please participate in the surveys if you are called upon. We can only move forward by working together. I look forward to receiving NRC's full report, with more detailed recommendations, later this month. In the meantime, the Administration's Offshore Aquaculture Bill is moving forward in Congress. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will host a hearing on the bill on April 6, so be sure to check out the live Web cast. Along with fish farmers and other scientists, I will serve on the panel to discuss the proposal, current aquaculture research, and environmental and socio-economic impacts of aquaculture.

In Washington , D.C. , spring has definitely sprung. The cherry blossoms are blooming and fishermen are taking to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay now that the weather is warmer. I wish everyone a happy spring, and I hope the fishing's good for everyone.

References

National Research Council

NOAA's National Research Council MRFFS Review Press Release #1

National Research Council MRFFS Review Press Release #2

NOAA's Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey

Senate Committee's Aquaculture Hearing