Recreational Fishing: An Important National Pastime

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act turns 50 years old, we can't help but think about how important recreational fishing is to our nation. Even our first president, George Washington, was an avid angler from a young age-he loved fishing the Potomac River near Mount Vernon. National Fishing and Boating Week is the perfect time to celebrate this cherished outdoor tradition! It's an opportunity to recognize the millions of saltwater anglers who serve as stewards of our marine resources and coastal ecosystems.

Cultural and Economic Importance

The significance of recreational fishing cannot be overstated. Culturally, it is a multi-generational bridge, where conservation ethics are born and shared across the water. Economically, it is a powerhouse. Saltwater angling contributes $78.4 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in coastal communities. It fuels everything from small-town bait shops to large-scale boat manufacturing and hospitality industries.

Modernizing Our Partnership

To better serve the recreational fishing community, we are prioritizing meaningful partnership as identified in the 2026 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy and associated commitments . A primary example is the Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive. RAPID is a formal commitment to collaboratively overhaul the state-federal recreational data collection system with our partners to ensure transparency and mutual trust are at the heart of management.

Science and Stewardship Through Collaboration

We know the most accurate view of the ocean comes from those who spend time on the water. By partnering with anglers on data collection-on species ranging from Pacific rockfish to Atlantic mackerel-we are integrating "on-the-water" expertise into federal science and management. This collaboration leads to more robust stock assessments that better reflect the realities of the recreational experience. We are also empowering anglers as stewards of the resource. NOAA recognizes-and supports-the power of anglers as stewards, through such initiatives as:

• Funding the distribution of fish descending devices that allow anglers to mitigate the effects of barotrauma while fishing
• Engaging anglers in removing invasive species and restoring habitats for recreationally important fish

We've also demonstrated our commitment to wide-spread sustainable access for anglers by working to increase quotas for key species, such as black sea bass and Atlantic bluefin tuna .

Since we were established as the first federal conservation agency in 1871, NOAA Fisheries has been taking action to support fishing as food and recreation. We will continue working to ensure that the thrill of a tight line and the fish on your dinner plate remains a staple of American life for generations to come.