Tell NOAA that addressing the impacts of climate change on recreational fishing and maintaining climate-resilient ecosystems is critical to maintaining and rebuilding healthy and abundant fish populations. (Photo courtesy of Ed Sozinho/Sozinho Imagery)
November 29, 2022
By Brian Bennett
In the face of unprecedented threats to our fisheries from climate change and the loss of critical habitat, the recreational fishing community must unite and become a powerful, effective advocate if we are to manage our fisheries for future generations sustainably. As anglers, we're seeing the changes brought on by climate change play out in our fisheries and watersheds in real time.
Right now, the angling community has an excellent opportunity to weigh in on the importance of addressing climate change and sustainable management in the NOAA Fisheries management process.
NOAA Fisheries is inviting comments to update the National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy. The National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy provides NOAA with goals for recreational fisheries within NOAA's overall mission. The policy also establishes principles to help guide the agency's planning and decision-making process.
This is an excellent opportunity to tell NOAA that addressing the impacts of climate change on recreational fishing is critical to maintaining and rebuilding abundant fish populations. Management should also focus on conserving and restoring habitat to maintain climate-resilient ecosystems that support healthy and abundant fish stocks.
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Please follow this link to submit your comments. You can also email comments directly to recreational.fisheries@noaa.gov . The deadline for comment submission is 12/31/22.
To learn more or more information on how to engage in the public comment process, head over to Tomorrow's Fish , a campaign of the AFFTA Fisheries Fund.
Brian Bennett is an outdoor industry veteran, currently working for the Wild Steelhead Coalition .
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