The registry is an important tool that will help fishermen and policy makers work together to better account for the contributions and impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems and coastal economies. It is part of a national overhaul of the way NOAA collects and reports recreational fishing data. The goal of the initiative - known as the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP - is to provide the most accurate information possible that can be used to determine the health of fish stocks. Reliable, universally trusted data will in turn aid anglers, fisheries managers and other stakeholders in their combined efforts to effectively and fairly set the rules that will ensure the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing. For more information, visit www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov.

This Registry is NOT a License. New Jersey does not have a saltwater license. All Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations must be followed at all times.

For more information on the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Background In 2006 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was charged with the creation of a universal phonebook – or registry – of all current saltwater anglers in the United States. The registry was developed to allow NOAA to quickly and easily contact current saltwater anglers in an effort to gain more accurate and timely information on recreational fisheries. States were allowed to establish their own registry program for saltwater anglers that fished in their state. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection established its own registry program, the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program, to exempt saltwater recreational anglers fishing in New Jersey’s marine and tidal waters from the federal registry and the $15.00 federal registration fee imposed in 2011. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) implemented the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program (NJSRRP) effective May 4, 2011 through Administrative Order No. 2011-05 (pdf).

Who Needs to Register?

NOTE: Anglers with a valid registration with the National Saltwater Angler Registry or have a valid license from another exempted state are required to register (for free) with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. Registration with NJ will exempt you from having to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.

Individual saltwater anglers ages 16 and older MUST register if ANY of the following criteria are met:

Recreationally fish with a hand line or rod and line, spearfish or fish by hand

Recreationally fish in the marine and fresh tidal waters of the State of New Jersey

Recreationally fish in marine waters outside the State of New Jersey but land the catch in New Jersey

Individual saltwater anglers are EXEMPT from registering if either of the following apply:

Under the age of 16

Solely fish on for-hire (party and charter) vessels that are registered with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program

For-hire vessel owners/operators MUST register if:

Carry individuals who engage in recreational fishing in the marine and fresh tidal waters of the State of New Jersey

OR

Carry individuals who engage in recreational fishing in the marine waters outside the State of New Jersey but land their catch in New Jersey

What Do I Need to Provide in Order to Register?

If registering as an individual you will need the last four digits of your social security number in addition to your name, address, date of birth and phone number. Emails are optional, but providing one will permit the computerized registration system to send you a confirmation of your registration. Click on the "New Registration" button or "Renew Any Registration", if you've been registered before and it will take you right to the registration page.

If registering as an owner/operator of a For-Hire Vessel you will need to provide the last four digits of your social security number, your name, address, date of birth, phone number and either the United States Coast Guard Documentation Number or the Registration Number and state of the Vessel you are registering. If your boat has a name you should also provide that information. Click on the "New For-Hire Registration" button or "Renew Any Registration", if you've been registered before and it will take you right to the registration page.

What if I do not have a Social Security Number?

If you do not have a Social Security Number for this registration purpose you will be considered a non-US resident. You will then have the ability to input your passport number and country of origin.

For any other questions please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Can I Change My Current Registration Information?

Do you need to update your registration because your contact information has changed?

Do you need a duplicate registration card?

Do you want to review your current registration information?

Did you make an error when registering and need to delete the current registration and resubmit a new one?

Do you need to renew your current registration for the next registration year?

All these tasks can be done by clicking on the Access Current Registration link below.

Access Current Registration

This website was prepared by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection under award number NA10NMF4740124 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.