As a kid growing up and fishing in Florida, one could kill and keep any fish you caught. There were very few state laws limiting the size, season or number of fish one took home. There were few federal laws managing offshore pelagic species. But at the time, there were less than five million Florida residents; today there are nearly twenty-million Floridians.

We now have many laws regulating most of our inshore and offshore species. In fact, there are so many rules that some anglers believe a day will soon come when you’ll need a lawyer with you to legally fish within the borders of the law.

During the past generation there has been an amazing transformation taking place when it comes to state and federal fisheries management. Unfortunately, much of this transformation has created friction and doubt between recreational anglers and the entities empowered to manage our fisheries.

There is a small faction of very vocal hardcore anglers who believe it is their right to fish and keep any fish they catch. The rest of us aren’t infuriated by the rules and regulations imposed by our government to protect the future of our marine fisheries. In fact, the majority of recreational anglers accepts these changes and does their best to follow them.

We certainly don’t agree with every law and regulation. Anglers should voice their opinions when needed, but understanding the need for protecting recreational fishing, and the habitats and water quality needed to sustain it for future generations should be fundamental.

With the steady increase in fishing pressure and the rise in U.S. population, our fisheries will need better regional management in the future. When implemented properly, regional management can limit the impact on businesses that depend on anglers, while also protecting the fish, their habitats and water quality.

For more information contact: National Marine Fisheries Service