Science magazine had a News&Analysis piece (16 March issue) on NOAA's "check not to fish" experiment. Unfortunately the link only works for subscribers.

The gist of the article says that so far 125 checks have gone out (of which 20 have been cashed) ranging from 15-500 bucks and a second wave is about to be mailed. Eventually 500 checks will go out. The program will cost NOAA $145,000, with as much as $75,000 going to fishermen.

The state automatically invalidates the license of anyone who cashes a check.

There has been a fair amount of scientific and political backlash over it, but also significant scientific support.

There is a picture of the guy behind the study. He is fishing Parkers ledge in Woods Hole. Looks like he is chunking or three waying with an old penn long beach (with upgraded handle) on a big old spinner (guides up). Wearing a big smile. Probably I should take him fishing then invite him over to see my cellar.....that ought to open his eyes to economic impact :uhuh:

Cash the check, fish anyway......get caught???? Pay the fine from the $500???? Still way ahead of the game even if you get caught several times?? In theory of course!:rotf2:

I wish they would mail me a check.
I would take a crap, wipe my ass with the check and mail it back to them !

RONNIE I HOPE YOU DID NOT HAVE CORN THE NIGHT BEFORE

RONNIE I HOPE YOU DID NOT HAVE CORN THE NIGHT BEFORE


I would make sure beans & corn John :rotf2:

But the licenses are reciprocal, get one in another state, and your legit.
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lol skip
those checks would look cool on the wall framed
uncashed :uhuh:

$500....I'd cash it and embrace sweetwater fishing for the summer.....I can be bought. :hee:

yeah but this is our last year on EARF

But the licenses are reciprocal, get one in another state, and your legit.
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For Mass, they are only reciprocal for non residents. IOW, Mass residents must have a resident license to fish in Mass.

It sounds like the Mass license is now a lottery ticket.

For Mass, they are only reciprocal for non residents. IOW, Mass residents must have a resident license to fish in Mass.

It sounds like the Mass license is now a lottery ticket.

the License numbers here in MASS for fresh and Salt licenses are One and the Same.
But if you were to cash a check it doesn't stop you from fishing freshwater just Salt i guess.

That's 6%.
Which I think represents the natural attrition of those who have lost interest, incurred failing health or injury, or can't afford the gas.

I think it's a waste of money - they're just paying for attrition. That first 6% represents a significant element of those who were most motivated or on the fence to quit anyway, I don't think you'll get 6% every year. If you really want people to quit fishing, raise the price of gas and start an ad campaign that paints fishing negatively; attach a negative stigma to it - like smoking.

Half of the people fishing have been fishing for five years or less, and are very interested and motivated. So the growth of sport-fishing far out weighs the government's ability to discourage it.

That's 6%.
Which I think represents the natural attrition of those who have lost interest, incurred failing health or injury, or can't afford the gas.

I think it's a waste of money - they're just paying for attrition. That first 6% represents a significant element of those who were most motivated or on the fence to quit anyway, I don't think you'll get 6% every year. If you really want people to quit fishing, raise the price of gas and start an ad campaign that paints fishing negatively; attach a negative stigma to it - like smoking.

Half of the people fishing have been fishing for five years or less, and are very interested and motivated. So the growth of sport-fishing far out weighs the government's ability to discourage it.

I may be wrong, but aren't they only sending the checks out to active license holders? If that's the case, it would be people who are planning on fishing this year. There will still be the normal attrition but those people most likely won't be buying licenses if they've already decided to stop fishing.

LOL I love it. I know a couple of guys that are happy with the gas money so they can make more night trips to the canal. LOL They never have paid for a lisence. LOL

LOL I just love poachers LOL stealing from us honest guys LOL I hope they get bagged in front of their wives and children HA Ha HA I made $500 bucks and now I am a convicted crimminal LOL LOL LOL

LOL I just love poachers LOL stealing from us honest guys LOL I hope they get bagged in front of their wives and children HA Ha HA I made $500 bucks and now I am a convicted crimminal LOL LOL LOL

so people who dont buy licenses are poachers and criminals? How does it steal from honest guys? What are you seeing from the $$ paid to fishing licenses? WHat are they taking away from you?

As the thread demonstrates the states are taking your money to fund beauracracy and thats it. Its BS.

If they sent me a check, Id cash it, and continue to fish. Then pay the $10 fine if caught. Big deal. It wouldnt bother my conscience at all.

so people who dont buy licenses are poachers and criminals? How does it steal from honest guys? What are you seeing from the $$ paid to fishing licenses? WHat are they taking away from you?

As the thread demonstrates the states are taking your money to fund beauracracy and thats it. Its BS.

If they sent me a check, Id cash it, and continue to fish. Then pay the $10 fine if caught. Big deal. It wouldnt bother my conscience at all.

Where in Sam Rayburn Reservoir???:rotf2:

I would cash it and continue to fish. I would buy more gear with the $

I still do not see the connection between determining the value of fishing to the permit holder and how this will help improve the fishery. It just seems to me like very poor judgement on their side and if this is what they think will help...we are in far worse shape than anyone has thought.

I would like to see this tried with comm bass licenses...most of those go unused anyway, I bet if they tried buying them out they would be overwhelmed.

Where in Sam Rayburn Reservoir???:rotf2:

I'll be fishing here for about 3 weeks! :fishin:

June 15th is the actual day I board my one way flight!

I wouldn't describe fishermen as honest - I'd describe them politically inept. Look at what Surfrider has been able to do, and then compare that to fishing. We didn't need to be divided before being conquered, we divided ourselves.

"The state automatically invalidates the license of anyone who cashes a check." :confused:

EPO's are reluctant to even check for saltwater licenses never mind running the customer ID#'s to see if they are valid...

How long do you have to cash the check? Would be funny if check expires at the end of the year........

Still haven't seen an EPO since I've fished MAss. MMMMMMM around 45 yrs at least.These idiots want to see the value we put on striper fishing come look in our garages an cellars. Make most tackle shops look small time.Whats a small striper boat go for 15 to 20 grand. IDIOTS.

Used to live About an hour north of Seattle fishing there was expensive. You needed a fresh and salt license and a stamp for the major salmon types, trout, halibut, etc. but every penny of that money went back into managing the fisheries. Here it goes into the pot for those who don't want to work. Pointless. Why not call it what it is. A tax.
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Still haven't seen an EPO since I've fished MAss. MMMMMMM around 45 yrs at least.These idiots want to see the value we put on striper fishing come look in our garages an cellars. Make most tackle shops look small time.Whats a small striper boat go for 15 to 20 grand. IDIOTS.

One night last year they came by and checked my Saltwater License, and last winter they came out on the Ice where I was fishing and checked my Freshwater license.

They are around......

Well I kind of started this whole posting mess when I received a survey :uhuh: stateing would I agree if the license was $55 per year.

After the posting here I was contacted by some lady at the Boston Globe , sent her a copy and forgot about it....

Well quess what ? I received a over night letter yesterday with another one :rotf2:

I guess they want my answer on :fishin:in the ocean BAD....

cash the 500$ check = no valid mass license.


Get a RI non resident saltwater, which covers you in mass with some of that 500$ :uhuh:

Whats that like $490 for eels?

EPO's are reluctant to even check for saltwater licenses never mind running the customer ID#'s to see if they are valid...

WHAT method? do they USE to Validate a Customer's ID number
is what i've been wondering now that i have my license fairly well sealed to the weather in case i go in the water expectantly.

cash the 500$ check = no valid mass license.


Get a RI non resident saltwater, which covers you in mass with some of that 500$ :uhuh:

Whats that like $490 for eels?

Massachusetts does not honor a RI Non-Resident if you are a Resident of Mass.

RIDEM/Division of Fish & Wildlife- Recreational Saltwater Fishing License Index Page (http://www.saltwater.ri.gov/)

What if I am not a RI resident, and don't have a license from my home state or some other state, and plan to fish in RI waters?

You can readily obtain a RI non-resident license. However, be advised that you may or may not be able to use that license in your home state (e.g., if you are a Connecticut or Massachusetts resident, you will need to obtain a Connecticut or Massachusetts license to fish in Connecticut or Massachusetts waters).

Still haven't seen an EPO since I've fished MAss. MMMMMMM around 45 yrs at least.These idiots want to see the value we put on striper fishing come look in our garages an cellars. Make most tackle shops look small time.Whats a small striper boat go for 15 to 20 grand. IDIOTS.

Thats because up our way.. they use that big twin engine center console they tie up at the CG station between the hours of 10 AM -2 PM on Sundays only...when most serious striper nuts are sleeping ....

I know from magazine writing that 1/2 of recreational fishermen have been at it for five years or less. (That's why they always run about half a magazine full of beginner-oriented articles.)
I know this is isn't exactly the right number, but instead of getting a scientific calculator out, say 12% of new fishermen come to the sport each year. If you go by the Law of 72's (how long it takes for a quantity to double) it would mean that if a significant number of people were not leaving the sport voluntarily, the number of people sport-fishing would double every six-nine years. That's obviously not happening.
Maybe I'm mistaken, but I'm of the opinion that the natural attrition of people departing the sport each year must be fairly high. I really don't see the value in buying people out when so many are coming and going anyway. I can't see where the money for this is coming from other than the sale of licenses.
They understand if they use the license revenue to buy land for shore access, build boat ramps, make improvements to facilities, it will attract more people to the sport. Which was the stated purpose of instituting fees. But they don't want more people fishing, so they're pissing it away cutting checks to people who were probably going to quit now, or in the near future anyway.
The license requirement, in this implementation, is serving as punitive measure to discourage fishing, or as a reward to discourage fishing.

WHAT method? do they USE to Validate a Customer's ID number
is what i've been wondering now that i have my license fairly well sealed to the weather in case i go in the water expectantly.

Raven,

They access the online Mass license data base right from the laptop in the truck. Your customer ID number is right above your name on the license. It's very unlikely they would run this unless they already have you for something else.

I purchased my saltwater license from main bait which is on the mass / RI line and he told me that the ri license lets you fish in mass and conn.

I purchased my saltwater license from main bait which is on the mass / RI line and he told me that the ri license lets you fish in mass and conn.

If you are a RI resident buying a RI Resident license you can fish MA, CT, and NY waters.

If you are a Non-Resident buying a Non-Resident RI license you cannot fish MA and CT....don't know about NY.