http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/06/12/ocean_fishing_for_sport_faces_fee/

I wonder if an angler could just say that they were targeting bluefish if they were approached by an authority? If they didn't have a fish on the beach or boat how could they dispute otherwise. Maybe just a license if people plan on keeping a striped bass? Wife's already ticked at how much money I spend on fishing now a license? Bummer.

I told you all this was going to happen months ago but some people said it wasn't so.

So much for thier intel, my inside source was dead on. No surprise for me, was totally awaiting it.

Still it sucks and tackle shops are going to get banged hard on the day trade.

Yeah, every place south of Jersey has one now; we had one in N.C. when I fished down there recently. I think it sucks too,but in all honesty, someone does have to pay the staff at fish and wildlife. Someone has to pay for regs enforcement (remember, if they don't the poachers will steal all the stripers) someone has to pay for management surveys, and someone has to pay for state boat ramps and other facilities. It's only fair that the people who benefit should help pay, and that's us.

h2q - I disagree, this state has its head so far up it's @ss, I can't imagine how they'd re-appropriate the $62.5M ($25 * 2.5 million salt water fishermen) but they will.

F*** THE SALTWATER LICENSE -- I'd rather the poachers poach.

Do we really need a thread for every article?

WOW, that pic was Wickid Pissa Of the Ol'Bastage loading his rod
F'N plug musta gone a mile ,,, Opps the bail flipped
ML:hang:

I wonder if I could pass as indigenous ?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday June 12, 2008

MA Salt Water Fishing Registry (aka: License) Process to Begin
A statement from the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association

This morning, in newspapers across the state, it is being reported
that beginning in 2009, the federal government has announced a plan
through NOAA/Fisheries to institute a recreational angler registry in
states that do not have a salt water angler registration (read:
license), and this includes MA. This action is the result of a
requirement in the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act passed in
congress last year and has been anticipated for some time. This
announcement will without a doubt trigger the formal process of MA
considering developing a salt water fishing license.

There are many unanswered questions and issues involved in and related
to the upcoming process and MSBA has been preparing our involvement
for over a year. Over the past winter MSBA approached both the head of the MA DMF Sport Fishing Program, Dr. Mike
Armstrong and MA DMF Director Paul Diodati and suggested that the DMF
not wait to be forced into this process by a federal proposal and be
proactive and convene a committee of recreational fishing
representatives to explore options for MA recreational anglers. I am
happy to report that last week, MSBA was invited to participate in
just such a committee. MSBA President Bill Prodouz has appointed MSBA
Past President and Gov't Affairs Officer Patrick Paquette to represent
and also educate and inform the MSBA membership throughout this process.

Historically, MSBA has been opposed to a Salt Water Fishing License
and that position will not change without a vote of the MSBA
Membership. Conversations with and between members both on and off
the floor of MSBA monthly meetings indicates the MSBA membership is
open minded to some sort of registry/license if it contained certain
details that would benefit our fishing community and would not result
in just another tax. Being affiliated nationally with the
Recreational Fishing Alliance also has enabled MSBA to learn about
registry/license details that have and have not worked in other
states. In the coming months, MSBA will communicate accurate
information to our membership via our newsletter and website
www.msba.net and will undergo the process of making decisions and
taking positions. As always, MSBA is prepared for the coming process
and will help lead the MA recreational fishing community through the
upcoming process.

One note of caution: In the coming days and weeks there will be a
great deal of speculation, rumor, confusion and mis-information
written in newspapers and on the internet about the "pending"
registry/license and related processes. MSBA urges all MA
recreational anglers to avoid joining the inevitable emotional roller
coaster and resist the urge to react to every bit of information. Our
state has a fifty plus year history of organized recreational fishing
organizations and the best way to address the issues is through these
organizations that have the experience and relationships needed to
navigate through the political process we now face. In addition to
participating on the MA DMF committee mentioned above, MSBA has
already taken action to provide our membership with accurate
information. At the MSBA membership meeting on June 25th, in addition
to the monthly entertainment, this month supplied by Armand Tetreault
of Rhode Island Poppers, MSBA will shorten it's regular business
meeting in order to hear a 20 minute presentation, without debate,
from the federal agencies developing the angler registration program
announced today.

For more information, attend MSBA monthly meetings, monitor
www.msba.net, read the MSBA monthly newsletter or contact MSBA Gov't
Affairs Officer Patrick Paquette (BasicPAtrick@aol.com).

FYI...The Fed plan is still in development and is open for comment until August 11. It is unlikely a plan open until this late in the year will be ready to roll out in 2009. Also, no cost of the fed plan in 09 and '10 but definately a cost for '11. Here from the feds June 25th at the MSBA meeting.

There is a lot of political work to do and statements of finality are all incorrect. nothing is set in stone as of yet and the fight must be waged.

:sleeps:Thank you Patrick for the info. It would be nice to have the state in charge of this if pssible. Looking forward to what the Fed guys have to say at the meeting. Keep up the good work.

I still don't see what we are going to get for are money?

They still going to survey people like they do now, They can't stock the fish, they are never going to find land cheap enough to build new ramps, and what about shore access??
We already have to pay to drive the beaches that are closed 1/2 the season cause of the F*&% Birds !

The list goes on!! So instead of them beating around the bush saying this is going to help the fishing, why not tell us how they are going to do it, were is the money going? Besides hiring more people to troll the canal to find people for not having a lic.

And I am sorry and I mean not to offend anyone on this board or off this board!! But we have all kinds of ethnic groups here, some were hurt 100's of years ago, and others 1000's of years ago, But how long must all of us pay for the mistakes of yesteryear?
Thats history! and old history, we all need to pay if thats the way its going to be!

They can't and won't do this if everyone is against it, I mean everyone!!! But we all have come to except fees on everything we do! Its wrong, and we ALL need to SCREAM FOUL!!

Hey Maco Joe now that your in town is that you I smell when the wind is SE? or the Cape Cod Crouton ovens blasting away
tight lines MJ
ps :............someone saw the Blue Balls shooting sparks on RT 28
LINK

Could be me?? or all the fish I have been cleaning in the back yard!

My balls are flesh colored so if they were blue, they were not mine.

Geez Louise,I've heard it all now.Take advantage of the free air while you can.