Here is an interesting dilemma. A Rhode Island resident can go to Mass, apply and pay ($200?) for a Rod & Reel Commercial license, then sell striped bass. (I have a friend that did exactly this in 2008 – he and partner just had a Massachussetts two day payday at over $1100 each.)

Rhode Island has a moratorium on issuing new R&R commercial licenses with all sorts of caveats on what type of fish you can sell etc. So if you’re a RI resident and want to sell bass in RI – you can’t (unless you get one of the few licenses that are issued each season via lottery).

Now look at this statement from RI DEM licensing dept:

“There are a total of 283 PEL licenses with the restricted finfish endorsement for 2007. Of that 283 total, 168 are resident license holders and 115 are non resident license holders.”

So while you , who may be a RI resident can’t get a license, there are 115 non-residents who already have a RI license. Many think that RI should be managing a resource for RI RESIDENTS and rescind all R&R licenses being held by those who reside out of state.
There appears to be an upcoming meeting where this will be discussed. Note Item #2 below.

July 29, 2008 – 6:00 PM
Division of Fish and Wildlife Marine Laboratory
3 Fort Wetherill Road
Jamestown, RI 02835
A meeting of the Industry Advisory Committee has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, at 6:00 PM at the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife Marine Laboratory, Conference Room, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI.
FINAL AGENDA
(Revised on 7/22/2008)
1. Discussions on commercial licensing for 2009
a) Shellfish sector
b) Finfish sector
c) Crustacean sector
2. Discussion of policies regarding loss of a RI commercial fishing license due to a change of residence from RI to another state.

ALL RIMFC Species Advisory Panel meetings are open to the public.
For more information, please contact Nancy Scarduzio at (401) 423-1927
cc: Robert Ballou, Assistant to the Director Steve Hall, Chief, DEM Law Enforcement Kurt Blanchard, Deputy Chief, DEM Law Enforcement Mike Lapisky, Chief, DFW Mark Gibson, Deputy Chief, DFW

It’s probably important to know that there is a “good old boys” network of R&R comm license holders in Rhody who are very worried that if Rhody drops out of state licenses then other states (Read Mass) will do the same to RI residents seeking Mass licenses.

I believe this one has been to federal court years ago and was settled. The decision was something to the effect that a state cannot restrict access to migratory fish to inviduals of one state. It either is open to all or closed to all and that the fees for out of state can be no more than twice that of in state.

I think that this court decision is a good thing because it eliminates the tendency of politicians to selectively decide who are the "worthy ones".

Ed

The non resident fee is $160 in Mass, which includes the commercial license and the striped bass species endorsement.

That's more than twice what it costs a Mass resident ($65 total).

These are for rod and reel (ie, shore) licenses and endorsements. I don't know the boat fees. I'm pretty sure that it varies with the length of the boat.

The non resident fee is $160 in Mass, which includes the commercial license and the striped bass species endorsement.

That's more than twice what it costs a Mass resident ($65 total).

These are for rod and reel (ie, shore) licenses and endorsements. I don't know the boat fees. I'm pretty sure that it varies with the length of the boat.

I agree with you on the total cost Mike, but the cost for the striped bass endorsement, being a migratory fish is $30 for a Mass resident and $60 for a non-resident. I believe that differential is limited by law. Where they tack on the extra bucks is for the Mass Rod and Reel license which is $35 for a Mass resident and $100 for a noresident. I'm not sure how that number is set but it brings the total cost to what you stated.

Ed

doesn't seem fair to the lower states