[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8067-8068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4002]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 090198A]


Recreational Fishing; Code of Angling Ethics

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Final Code of Angling Ethics

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SUMMARY: NMFS is adopting this Code of Angling Ethics to implement the 
public education strategy required under the
    NMFS-specific Recreational Fishery Resources Conservation Plan.

DATES: Effective March 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final Code of Angling Ethics are available 
from Richard H. Schaefer; Chief, Office of Intergovernmental and 
Recreational Fisheries; 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 425; Silver Spring, 
Maryland 20910-3282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard H. Schaefer, 301-427-2014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 7, 1995, the President signed Executive Order 12962 (EO) - 
Recreational Fisheries. The EO recognized the social, cultural, and 
economic importance of recreational fishing to the nation and directed 
Federal agencies to ``improve the quantity, function, sustainable 
productivity, and distribution of U.S. aquatic resources for increased 
recreational fishing opportunities.'' Further, the EO established the 
National Recreational Fisheries Coordination Council (NRFCC) consisting 
of Secretarial designees from the Departments of Commerce, Interior, 
Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Transportation, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency. The NRFCC was directed under the EO to produce a 
Recreational Fishery Resources Conservation Plan (National Plan). The 
National Plan, completed June 3, 1996, directed each Federal agency to 
develop an agency-specific implementation plan that identifies actions 
needed to meet the goals and objectives of the National Plan. The NMFS-
specific Recreational Fishery Resources Conservation Plan, unveiled 
December 31, 1996, dictates four Implementation Strategies as policy to 
achieve the goals of the National Plan. Implementation Strategy III, 
Public Education, states that NMFS will support, develop, and implement 
programs designed to enhance public awareness and understanding of 
marine conservation issues relevant to the well-being of marine 
recreational fishing. One output listed under this Implementation 
Strategy is ``NMFS will develop, promote and distribute a ``Code of 
Conduct for Recreational Fishing''.''
    On October 5, 1998, a notice of proposed code of angling ethics (63 
FR 53353) was published in the Federal Register.
    The three comments received are addressed as follows:

Comments and Responses

    Comment 1: One commenter asked that the proposed Code of Angling 
Ethics be expanded to include an enforcement ethic that would encourage 
anglers to confront individuals not conforming to the Code of Ethical 
Angling and identify and report illegal activities.
    Response: The intent of the proposed Code is to succinctly describe 
ethical conduct for the angler. Although NMFS concurs with the public's 
involvement and responsibility suggested by the commenter, such 
enforcement issues are outside of the intent of the Code of Angling 
Ethics.
    Comment 2: One commenter, while supporting the proposed Code as 
written, resented the Government proposing anything to guide the 
personal behavior of anglers.
    Response: The Code is intended to inform the angling public of 
NMFS's views regarding what constitutes ethical angling behavior. The 
guidelines are discretionary, not mandatory.
    Comment 3: An association of anglers stated that they fully 
supported the draft

[[Page 8068]]

Code of Ethical Angling and asked NMFS to simultaneously address 
corrective habitat matters with sportfishing regulations.
    Response: The Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 requires the 
identification of essential fish habitat in federal fishery management 
plans.
    The following Code of Angling Ethics has been adopted by NMFS:
    THE CODE OF ANGLING ETHICS
    1. Promotes, through education and practice, ethical behavior in 
the use of aquatic resources.
    2. Values and respects the aquatic environment and all living 
things in it.
    3. Avoids spilling, and never dumps, any pollutants, such as 
gasoline and oil, into the aquatic environment.
    4. Disposes of all trash, including worn-out lines, leaders, and 
hooks, in appropriate containers, and helps to keep fishing sites 
litter-free.
    5. Takes all precautionary measures necessary to prevent the spread 
of exotic plants and animals, including live baitfish, into non-native 
habitats.
    6. Learns and obeys angling and boating regulations, and treats 
other anglers, boaters, and property owners with courtesy and respect.
    7. Respects property rights, and never trespasses on private lands 
or waters.
    8. Keeps no more fish than needed for consumption, and never 
wastefully discards fish that are retained.
    9. Practices conservation by carefully handling and releasing alive 
all fish that are unwanted or prohibited by regulation, as well as 
other animals that may become hooked or entangled accidentally.
    10. Uses tackle and techniques which minimize harm to fish when 
engaging in ``catch and release'' angling.

    Dated: February 11, 1999.
Andrew A. Rosenberg, Ph.D.,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-4002 Filed 2-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F