National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration administrator Neil Jacobs announced a series of agency actions last week during the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show. Among the efforts are advancing state-led fisheries management through the Exempted Fishing Permits, revisiting the regulatory policy on vessel speed, and modernizing recreational fishing data.
NOAA also announced it will reopen the vessel speed rule finalized in 2008 through an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The deregulatory process will invite public comment on both the original rule and future direction, and allow updated information and data, including private-sector technology solutions, to be placed on the record.
Sportfishing agencies have commended the actions and the willingness to reform federal fisheries management.
“Administrator Jacobs deserves real credit for his leadership at NOAA,” Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy, said in a statement. “Advancing state-led fisheries management and taking a hard look at a deeply flawed vessel-speed rule reflects a thoughtful, practical approach to policy that has been missing for far too long. The states have asked for better data and a stronger role in management. Inviting collaborative federalism by opening the door for states and regional partners to help design the next generation of recreational data collection is a major step toward restoring confidence in fisheries management and getting better results on the water.”
Added American Sportfishing Association vice president of government affairs Mike Leonard: “In total, these actions on South Atlantic red snapper, the vessel speed rule and recreational data collection prove NOAA leadership’s commitment to addressing longstanding problems that have limited recreational fishing access. The sportfishing industry is committed to working with NOAA to advance these and other priorities that will improve the nation’s $78.4 billion saltwater recreational fishing economy.”
