Federal agencies face deadlines on fishing rules, data and reefs

The order directs federal agencies to change how they collect and use recreational fishing data, review rules affecting anglers and charter operators, and streamline some permits. Many steps are reviews or directions to develop programs, not immediate changes to fishing rules.

Key deadlines and actions

• Within 30 days: Agencies must begin steps to suspend, revise or rescind regulations they consider overly burdensome to boaters, anglers and outdoor businesses.
• Within 60 days: Agencies must evaluate multi-year permits of at least three years, and Interior must establish a program to convert qualifying decommissioned offshore structures into artificial reefs. Offshore wind energy structures are excluded.
• Within 90 days: Commerce must develop a system for reporting shark depredation events in real time.
• Within 120 days: NOAA and Interior must review permitting for artificial reefs in national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments.
• Within 180 days: Commerce must review fishing management guidelines and develop a five-year plan for improving recreational fishing economic data.
• Within one year: Agencies are directed to aim for a unified online application portal for certain federal permits.

The order also directs NOAA to develop mobile reporting tools and assess whether state data with lower error rates should replace federal survey data in some seasonal fisheries. It calls for at least two pilot programs to test recreational fishery data or management approaches.