Adding a Dash of SALT

The members of Congress who led the charge to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 2006 included key policies that will make a difference for recreational saltwater anglers. These policies, recommended by the Angling 4 Oceans campaign's SALT Principles, will ensure that Science is used for fisheries decisions, Allocation for recreational fishing is equitable, Licensed anglers will improve data and funding, and Tackle is less destructive.

Science must be used in marine fisheries management decisions in order to effectively restore degraded marine ecosystems and depleted fish stocks, including fishing quotas, gear restrictions, trip and creel limits, size limitations and seasonal or temporary closures of fishing areas. Marine policy should also establish appropriate guidelines for marine protected areas and require a scientific basis for designation, a transparent process and periodic review;

Allocate fisheries resources so that the economic impact of all sectors, including the recreational angling sector, as well as catch records and other factors are considered;

License saltwater anglers to improve data collection and increase funding for marine conservation. New marine policy should encourage the creation of uniform, state-based saltwater fishing licenses, using the income from increased licensing to fund improved coastal fisheries management, and establish a national registry of recreational anglers to serve in the interim; and

Tackle used by anglers should reduce bycatch and not damage habitat. Marine policy should require gear to be evaluated and certified as appropriate in each fishery and encourage the research and use of new, safer technologies.

The SALT Principles were addressed in the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization in the following specific ways:

Science

Includes new Marine Protection Area guidelines that place limits on the creation of no-fishing zones, requiring that they be based on sound science;

Requires National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to develop a proposal for integrating the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA) with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) no later than one year after MSA is enacted;
Improves participation requirements in Science and Statistical Committees (SSC) of regional fishery management councils;

Allocation

Includes provision to consider the economic impacts of harvest restrictions or recovery benefits on fishery participants in all sectors;
Starting in 2010, requires overfishing to stop within two years;
Maintains existing rebuilding requirements;
Requires Fishery Management Plans (FMP) to include annual catch limits that cannot exceed recommendations of SSC;
Allows for permanent fleet buyouts in fisheries with a limited access program; requires report of 20 most overcapitalized fisheries, allows for buyouts in fishery disaster areas;

Licensing

Establishes federal angler registry, no fee can be charged before 2011; exempts states with licenses that provide adequate data;
Includes new language mandating a review and overhaul of Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey (MRFSS) taking into account National Resource Council (NRC) report; completed and implemented by 2009.

Tackle

Establishes Bycatch Reduction Engineering program to improve technology;
Encourages FMP’s to develop systems to provide incentives for reducing bycatch;
Requires identification of fisheries with the most urgent bycatch problems;
Sets bycatch limitations at 10.7% of total allocation (direct & nontarget);
Includes seabirds as bycatch.