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There is a reason the pursuit of finned creatures is called "fishing" rather than "catching." The average recreational saltwater angler casts a line into a world he or she can't see, knowing the chances of success may be slim -- but still optimistic that every cast could catch the big one.

For generations, saltwater fishing has brought family and friends together for enjoyable moments surrounded by the big blue sky and deep blue ocean, while the anticipated fish dinner remained a bonus not a guarantee.

But there's now a definite catch to the sport -- the federal government is putting recreational saltwater anglers on the hook for mandatory registry and fees, in essence, creating a national licensing program.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA) announced in late December that the registration requirement begins Jan. 1, 2010, and an estimated annual fee of $15 to $25 per angler will be charged starting in 2011. Anglers under 16 years old, or fishing from licensed party or charter boats, would not be required to register.

NOAA established the registry in order to conduct surveys to better understand how the estimated 15 million recreational saltwater anglers in 23 coastal states and Puerto Rico impact fish populations.

NOAA believes the resulting data is essential to meeting its goal to protect fish stocks from overfishing, as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. And it's casting a large net that even includes registering and requiring a fee from anglers fishing from their own private property.

The federal registration will include an angler's name, date of birth, address, telephone number and the regions where he or she intends to fish. Saltwater anglers -- and spearfishers -- will be required to register online or by calling a toll-free telephone number and will receive a registration certificate. Anglers will need to carry this certificate (or their state license from an exempt state) and produce it, if requested, to an authorized enforcement officer.

Of the 23 coastal states and Puerto Rico that are affected by this program, only 10 states already have registries that meet NOAA requirements; and if their information were made available to NOAA, those registered would not have to join the federal program. Of the remaining states and Puerto Rico, nine states do not register saltwater anglers and four states, including Florida, have "gaps" in registry and do not qualify for NOAA exemption status.

Florida does require a license for saltwater anglers -- residents and visitors -- over 16 years old. However, it exempts a variety of categories including: any resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to the land (bridges), and any resident 65 years of age or older.

So unless the state acts to effectively close the "gaps" between its registry and NOAA's program, and share the information, all saltwater anglers in the state will be required to register with NOAA and, in many cases, not only pay a Florida license fee but also a federal fee.

We understand the need for gathering and analyzing information regarding fish stocks, but question the need to levy another fee or tax to generate it.

The state should expand its registration system to meet federal requirements, thereby eliminating the need for a second registration and fee, and allowing the state to continue to waive fees for certain categories such as seniors and bridge and shore fishing.

Otherwise, the NOAA program appears to be simply a deliberate disincentive for residents and visitors to pursue recreational saltwater fishing, and it has the potential of leaving our already fragile Florida Keys economy dangling from a hook.

-- The Citizen