The MARINE

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National

Oceanic and

Atmospheric

Administration

National Marine
Fisheries Service

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Each year the sport of fishing draws
increasing numbers of Americans to our
sea shores in search of fish whose taste,
fighting ability, or appearance make them a
desirable catch. And marine sport fishing,
as a major source of recreation and
revenue, has become the subject of studies
aimed at comprehending the economic
and recreational bonds which tie Americans
to saltwater game fish, and how human
activities affect the living resources of the

Many of these studies are carried out by
NOAA, the U.S. Commerce Department's
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, its National Marine
Fisheries Service, and institutions receiving
support through NOAA's Office of Sea
Grant. At the heart of this effort is the
Marine Game Fish Program, a far-reaching
effort developed by the National Marine
Fisheries Service to learn what needs to be
known to manage and conserve the game
fish of the sea.

The Marine Game
Fish Program

In 1970, some 91/2 million anglers (up from
about 6 million in 1960) chose to cast their lines
along the Nation's coast and spent enough doing
this . . . about $1.2 billion, or $129 per fisherman
... to make marine sport fishing an important
economic force. More than half fished Atlantic
waters, with the remainder about evenly split
between the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.

What do they fish for? Off New England it
could be a blue fish or a prickly puffer, while
down the coast it might be a striped bass or a
flounder. In the warm waters off Florida or in
the Gulf of Mexico a fisherman might see his
dreams come true as he brings a silvery tarpon
to gaff or boats a speckled sea trout. Pacific
anglers off Southern California try their luck for
albacore or yellowtail while farther north
chinook salmon and rockfish offer a challenge.
Alaskan anglers find their sport catching several
species of salmon and giant halibut.

Waist deep in a pounding surf, crowding the
rails of a party boat, casting a baited line from a
fishing pier, or cruising the open seas in search
of giant fighting fish, Americans in ever
increasing numbers find recreation and
adventure fishing in saltwater.

In the sport fishing world, one man's
recreation is another's livelihood. Party boat
captains, guides, marina owners, bait and tackle
dealers, resort operators, and equipment
manufacturers all share the wealth when
Americans go down to the sea to fish.

And all would share the loss if the sport fish
resource seriously declined. Some valuable
species are threatened by pollution and habitat
destruction. Others have been unwisely
exploited. Will there always be enough fish to
go around, and enough places to go fishing?
Can the marine environment continue to
produce fish in sufficient numbers and of the
size favored by most anglers? These are some
of the hard questions the Marine Came Fish
Program was designed to answer.

There is a long tradition of cooperative effort
between the coastal states and the Federal
Government to develop ways to ensure wise use

of fishery resources by both sport and commer-
cial interests. The Marine Came Fish Program
extends this tradition.

In cooperation with the coastal States, the
National Marine Fisheries Service conducts
research programs which seek to learn more
about marine game fish and the factors that
affect their abundance, growth, and behavior.
Research is also directed toward anadromous
species — salmon, shad, and striped bass, which
live and grow in saltwater, but return to fresh
water to spawn. To obtain information on fish
migrations and abundance, the Fisheries Service
cooperates with sport fishing organizations and
independent laboratories in extensive fishtagging
programs.

Other studies examine the productivity of
artificial reefs and the effects of other man-made
changes on the environment.

Because the dimensions of the sport must be
identified, statistical studies are carried out in
coastal areas to determine the numbers of
anglers, extent of catch by species, and the
economic factors involved.

The Marine Came Fish Program seeks to
enhance as well as identify existing sport fish

resources by providing technical information
and advice on locating and building reefs, and
other sport fishing facilities. The program also
helps locate and develop new or under utilized
sport fisheries, develops new equipment and
techniques, organizes workshop sessions and
forums for the exchange of information, and
publishes material designed to help fishermen
enjoy their sport, properly care for their'catch
once ashore, and cook the fish with style.

The quality of tomorrow's marine sport fishing
depends on what we do now. Today. You can
help.

■ Keep only the fish you can readily use.

■ Keep informed on what is happening in the
ocean environment, and how it affects your
fishing.

■ Speak out against pollution and environmental
degradation.

■ Join sport fishing organizations and fight for
wise use of our marine resources.

■ Keep it clean: Don't litter afloat or ashore.

■ Respect the rights of landowners and other
fishermen.

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

ADDDOTaTMlDDS

the Marine Environment
and oceanic Life

NOAA is a reflection of the pervasive link
between man, the marine environment, and
oceanic life. Created in 1970 by combining
existing environmental science, oceanographic,
and marine fisheries organizations, NOAA is the
national focus for non-military efforts in the
oceanic, atmospheric, and marine biological
sciences, and their associated technologies.

NOAA's National Ocean Survey charts our
coastal and Great Lakes waters, monitors and
predicts tides and tidal currents, tests new
oceanographic sensors, and is developing a
system of automated ocean data buoys. The
Environmental Research Laboratories conduct
programs aimed at improving our understanding
of the physical processes and mineral resources
of the marine environment. The National Marine
Fisheries Service conducts broad research and
service programs aimed at improving our
comprehension and uses of the ocean's living
resources. The National Weather Service
provides a wide variety of marine and oceano-
graphic reports and forecasts, and transmits
timely warnings of natural hazards. The
Environmental Data Service manages and
processes the world's largest collection of
marine environmental data. The National
Environmental Satellite Service is developing
ways to monitor events in the global ocean from
the vantage point of space.

NOAA/PA 72037 1973