This post is not designed to stir up controversy just to put out some factual info on the clause in the reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act of 2006. In response of the shortcomings of the MRFSS (Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey) , NOAA Fisheries commissioned a scientific review in 2004. The National Research Council reviewed the program and concluded that the survey needed to be completely redesigned. The methods used at the time were to basically count anglers at different jetties, beaches and access points, and by randomly telephoning households in coastal communities, not very scientific. They concluded that the data management was flawed, no big surprize there. The primary recommendation was to improve data collection through a registry of saltwater anglers that would provide appropriate contact information from anglers fishing in all marine waters, both state and Federal. This is designed to make data collection and survey data much more accurate. The recommendation was included in the reauthorization which tasks NOAA Fisheries with creating a national registry by January 2009. The Department of Commerce can begin to charge a federal fishing fee to support the registry by January 2011.
However the act also gives the government the authority to grant exemptions to states that collect suitable information for the registry through a state fishing license program.
No state wants to see a federal program collecting the monies so. The states want the fee to go back into the state budgets.
The key issue for most of us who oppose a license is a dedicated funding to improve the fishery and not go into a general fund. Ct and New Hampshire have proposed legislation for 2008 season and have made it clear that funds from saltwater licensing would go to support their respective fisheries.
I think as posted before the people that are going to suffer are the shops and fishing boats. Just think how much is coasts for a parent to take his family of say 4 or 5 on vacation. Now think how the economy is, these people are getting less already now add about $100 extra just to go on a fishing trip!!! I doubt many will pay this when you can get a beach pass for less and not have to deal with them(the kids). Just think also that there are far fewer people out there that do things with there kids these days. Us group of people are out of the norm.
Just wait as this fee for fishing will go up. Every year the freshwater fee goes up, why would this not go up. It's now $33 or $34 in NJ if you want a Trout stamp. We already have a Bonus Striper Cert. which costs money. Trust me them will go up and they will also start adding things to suck more money out of you.
I have a friend who got summoned for fishing with his son. He was not fishing as he does not care for it but is nice enough to take his son out and teach him. They only had one Spiderman zebco rod which he baited and cast out for his son. They saw him do this and said he was fishing---Bam TICKET HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO PUT UP WITH THIS BS
Warning; If the National Marine Fisheries Service is in any way involved with the regulations regarding striper fishing, things will get crazy for us. After watching them control the commercial ground-fishing for the past 25 yrs., I hope that we recreational guys don't get that treatment. I wouldn't want to be limited to fishing 3 day blocks, say, wed. Thurs. Fri. of the second week of each month. In other words, they make the regs. as they would for a 9 to 5 production line. They are clueless as to how fishing goes.
I have been approached and interviewed by a NMFS census taker. They are out gathering info between 9 and 5, which tells me what kind of info they'll get. They also fish to gather info. This really cracks me up.
As far as money is concerned, if a successful license program generates huge sums of money there will be many groups ready to take it. I think the smaller and more local the controlling body, the better chances of it benefiting us.
Sorry to be such a cynic, but experience has taught me well.
Lead by example. Help the less informed. Trust in natural selection.:smile:
I agree: any money collected for recreational fishing should be done state by state and NOT FEDERAL! If the federal govt. has any hand in taking a cut from individual state license fees the founding fathers will be rolling in their graves!
Furthermore, that money needs to go back into fishery management and education programs for kids on how to fish, etc. If that money starts going into troubled youth in the inner city or some other shit, I'll be very upset.
Key points
1) Individual state license, and no federal involvement.
Hi Guys. Just because I have an opinion on all topics...lol I believe the saltwater fishing licence is a great thing to help protect our fisheries. The problem is that, AGAIN, a bunch of dumb a??es in some office that has never fished before are making all the rules......typical government.:smilierun:
On another note.......hows the fishing? Seeing many stripers? Wind been the major factor? 5 hrs from the coast....don't get to fish nearly enough.
......Cheap Plug..... You can get some free tackle at ajcandytails.com
Making it widely known that fishing for saltwater species is illegal without a license will stop a lot of weekend visitors to your area from bombarding the trees, rocks, docks, jetties and God knows what, with hooks, line, sinkers, lures and all their garbage. That's one positive.
Anyone who truly enjoys getting out and fishing will pay and go anyway. Me included.
What will the affect be on local Bait and Tackle shops? What percentage of their business comes from Googans? I don't know.
Will the money be used to improve access and quality of the environment?
I believe it will in low rent real estate areas. (muddy riverside lots for boat ramps, etc.), but access to prime waterfront on the Cape and Islands will always be "wait 'til they go back to N.Y.C." and walk around the "WE OWN THIS BEACH-KEEP OFF!'" signs.
AS STATED ABOVE- It's up to groups like all of us forum members to rally and demand the money be used for it's intended purpose. Without any opposition, it's gone! WE are the concerned group that should be charged with making sure the right officials are in place to run these programs.
Keep this and other threads like it alive. Gather signatures that demand notice. I hope and believe that there are good people in our interest group, and that this license thing can work out to better our sport.
As of January 20, 2010 - 19 of the 23 Coastal States require licensing.
The ones that don't are.
Maine, New Hampshire and New Jersey are the last three regional states without the license requirements. Alaska is the other.
Hawaii.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also haven't complied.
Is there a plan for New Hampshire to have a state saltwater license, so that registry fees paid by anglers would go the state instead of to the federal government?
A saltwater license was approved this year by the NH State Legislature and signed by the Governor. The license will go into effect January 1, 2011, and will cost $15 for residents and non-residents.
As others have said, I have no problem paying a license fee to my state for fishing in saltwater . I already pay for a freshwater license . I just hope that the money collected is going where it is intended , not to line someones pocket or build a retirement fund for some person sitting at a desk doing nothing for the people . Because I have all the faith in the world in our wonderful Government , right now. :usa:
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