Why is NOAA Fisheries in charge of creating a registry?
NOAA Fisheries is the logical choice because it’s the federal agency with primary responsibility for the conservation of anadromous fisheries and marine resources in federal waters. Given that most fishing takes place in state waters (which include ocean waters up to 3 miles off the coasts), counting saltwater anglers is more than just a federal issue, however. NOAA Fisheries, state fisheries agencies, and the regional fisheries councils and interstate fisheries commissions are collaborating to design and implement the registry. Many states already collect the information needed for the registry, especially through saltwater fishing license records.
