November 2023 Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Meeting Summary

NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and Northwest Fisheries Science Center hosted a roundtable discussion focused on recreational fisheries off our West Coast on November 4^th, 2023. The meeting was attended by a diverse range of recreational fishing community participants: individual private anglers and related associations, guides, charter vessel owners, operators, and related associations, landing owners, and commercial fishing vessel owners. We appreciate their time for an open discussion. A theme emerged throughout the entire discussion: the fishing community is here to help, engage, advise, and be of service to ensure our local fishing communities and fishing opportunities remain strong, responsive, and resilient to change, and continue to contribute to the social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of the fishing community and our nation.

Included below are some of the main themes of the conversation that occurred. Index cards were collected to facilitate discussion and capture all ideas, thoughts, concerns, etc., that we wouldn’t otherwise have had time to discuss; those are also included below.

National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy and Implementation Plans

NOAA Fisheries provided an overview of the updated National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy and West Coast Regional Implementation Plan. Alex McOwen, on detail with NOAA Fisheries HQ Rec Fish Team, also shared about the Fish Habitat Partnerships and an opportunity to apply for funding to support projects that protect or restore habitat and engage recreational fishing partners (see the FY23 projects). Project proposals are due by April 15, 2024. Melissa Monk, SWFSC, also provided a review of the new collaborative California coast groundfish sampling project that now includes 18 charter vessels that have participated starting in 2023. Tim Klassen, a participating captain of the new program, provided his thoughts on the project and his role in the process.

A discussion was then opened up to the participants related to the national policy and plans. Participants requested the use of metrics for accountability in carrying out the updated policy and implementation plan. They expressed support for tracking our accomplishments to help us ensure we are meeting the goals of the policy.

Short-Term Priorities

Anglers shared a wide range of priorities focused on the short term. Related to the policy’s goals for supporting equitable treatment and meaningful involvement of underrepresented and underserved communities in recreational fisheries, participants noted a need for better funding mechanisms for outreach efforts, including for youth participants. They expressed that many organizations are already doing outreach work that engages diverse audiences in marine fishing trips and programs, and that these existing organizations and programs have the experience, connections, processes, and vessels already built to support this policy goal, but that the programs are underfunded. They also shared that recent surveys of anglers have shown that most started fishing before the age of 12 and that showcasing fishing and stewardship at a young age can lead to a lifetime of involved anglers.

The fishing community expressed frustration surrounding recent data-moderate stock assessments and a lack of available fisheries-independent data. They, along with commercial representatives also present, stated their willingness to help with nearshore rockfish assessments and management including collection of biological data. They also called for help on how to engage in the process while ensuring that the messages NOAA Fisheries is communicating are simple so that more of the fishing community can better understand and participate in the process. They were supportive of the collaborative fishing project currently underway and wanted to identify additional ways for utilizing recreational anglers to collect data, with some possibilities floated such as a citizen science reporting application. It was also noted that in addition to just collecting the data, it needs to be used in stock assessments. There was also a question of whether or how stock assessments for recreationally-targeted species are prioritized.

It was expressed that fisheries managers could consider voluntary avoidance and mandatory release requirements for nearshore rockfish, and to look at expanding the use of other gear types (i.e., longleader gear that exists in Oregon). There was frustration with the recent regulatory response to the latest nearshore rockfish assessments, noting that fisheries managers should consider a balanced or smoother approach, and also factor in economics when considering changes. Participants also noted that some catch and effort data publicly available is slow to be updated and that the lack of timeliness impacts their ability to self-regulate and slow catches down to remain within limits.

It was also noted that the recreational fishing community remains engaged on many other fronts, including at the local and state level, particularly around fisheries access, Marine Protected Areas, and 30x30 initiatives.

Long Term

Participants expressed support for a strategic planning process involving the recreational fishing community, the states, and NOAA Fisheries around recreational fisheries management and science. They noted that management decisions should consider the impacts on coastal communities and that a pause button is needed for management measures. They also stated that there should be a threshold amount of data necessary to make a decision and that if there is not enough data, then decisions should be put on hold. It was also noted that money for research and data collection should be directed towards high economic industries, like the recreational fishery.

It was noted that some illegal charter businesses, particularly for smaller passenger vessels, have developed in recent years and some ports are taking steps to address this. It was later expressed that more restrictions or regulations, and, as they shared, a growing lack of trust in the science by the larger fishing community, can lead to more illegal fishing.

Participants noted that fisheries managers, including NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council, serve diverse audiences, and that translations of materials produced by these bodies, including for Council outreach and public comment opportunities, are needed to overcome language barriers. They also shared that some groups are taking advantage of social media to reach their local communities regarding Council processes, i.e., how to make public comments and find agenda items.