The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to implement the National Saltwater Angler Registry and State Exemption Program in accordance with the recommendations included in the review of national saltwater angling data collection programs conducted by the National Research Council, and provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act, codified at Section 401(g) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (MSA).  Section 401(g) of the MSA requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to implement a federal requirement for anglers and for-hire vessels to register, and to provide identification and contact information, if they fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), for Continental Shelf Fishery Resources beyond the EEZ or for anadromous species in any waters.  Further, the Secretary is to exempt from the federal registration requirement those anglers and vessels that are licensed or registered by a state if the state provides sufficient identification and contact information for use in recreational surveys.  The proposed action would also establish the procedures and guidelines by which states may be designated as Exempted States.  Under the proposed action, for-hire vessels would not need to comply with the federal registration requirement if they are licensed or registered by an Exempted State or if they are holders of a NOAA-issued license or permit to engage in for-hire fishing for recreational purposes.  Angler and for-hire vessel information will be compiled into a national and/or series of regional registries that will be used to support surveys of recreational anglers and for-hire vessels to develop estimates of recreational angling effort.