Saltwater anglers now must register with federal agency

A new law requiring all saltwater anglers to register with NOAA Fisheries is in effect.

Anglers are required to sign up for the National Saltwater Angler Registry. The registry is free this year but will cost between $15 and $25 in 2011.

The reason for the registry, according to NOAA officials, is to improve information gathering for catches of many species.

NOAA often has been criticized for its catch data, which is used to determine quotas for various species. Such quotas, in turn, force states to set certain bag and size limits.

Saltwater anglers now must register with federal agency | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com