The careful management of fishing resources has been part of the culture of Hawai'i since traditional times, and there's every reason that tradition should continue today.

That's why the idea of a recreational fishing registry, which is under review by the entire nation (see box), should be seen as a good fit for Hawai'i in particular.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has proposed a rule to require recreational anglers who fish in federal waters — between three and 200 miles offshore — to register with the federal government starting Jan. 1.

The federal registry will fill an information-gathering void in Hawai'i and in a handful of other states that lack a state recreational fishing roster.

The aim is to compile data on the numbers of fish taken by recreational anglers more accurately than the current random telephone surveys, a hit-or-miss process. And this data can guide policies that better preserve saltwater fisheries in Hawai'i.

The statistics gathered also would shed light on the economic impact of recreational fishing, which can yield catches of important commercial species such as ahi, aku, billfish, mahimahi and onaga.

In deference to native gathering rights, indigenous people who fish for subsistence would be exempt from filing fees but still would be required to register. Additionally, those who fish from chartered fishing boats are exempt because the boat operator will report their catch.

Those are wise concessions, defusing potential opposition without excluding important constituencies from the recreational fishing population.

The proposed rule would postpone the nominal fee, between $15 and $25, until 2011.

Roy Morioka of the Hawai'i Marine Recreational Information Program said the proposal would hold every angler accountable to being "a good steward."

That's exactly right, and it's a principle that everyone who values our state's marine riches should embrace.