To protect the public's ability to fish for sport, and for other purposes.
Recreational fishing makes a substantial contribution to the local, state and national economies.
For those communities and small businesses that rely on seasonal tourism, the expenditures of recreational fishers result in substantial benefit to the local economies. Recreational fishers have long demonstrated a conservation ethic. The single most important element of recreational fishing is open access to places to fish. The open access principle is universally accepted on all federal lands and waters including wildlife refuges, national parks, wilderness areas, and the exclusive economic zone. All recreational fishery resources can be maintained through a variety of management measures including take limits, minimum size requirements, and closed seasons without unnecessarily restricting public access to places to fish.