i know what I stated was probably off the mark but there is some truth to it as stated below.
The money from the general fund will be used for more access to the shore (more boat ramps and parking lots) along with updating such ramps, increase enforcement (harbor patrol, coast guard), pollution control measures (engines/oil spills).
The shore surfcaster will get a fishing pier and maybe a white bucket but that will cost extra.

"Increase enforcement", we'll the money used for increased enforcement will be used to enforce the license law, easy target. Instead of them saying, " do you have undersized fish", they will say "license"

MakoM, if it passed and its the law then we have no leverage.
Bryan, if we all ban together like the time in years past and refuse to pay what they going to do. Confiscate thousands of fishing rods, boats trailers.
If you consede (sp) there is no turning back.

I'm going to carry a printout of Pete_G's signature and stand my grounds.

I hate the idea of it.
I like PeteG's sig and will take my chances till I get busted.

I would like to see a significant return of revenues from licensing fees go towards salt water fishing related projects (i.e. wardens, habitat, conservation, access, handicap access, repairs, etc) and not use the license revenues generated towards the respecive State's General Fund.

Possible-yes, probable-no

I know for a fact that during my travels during the year I would get busted.. I have run into a Fish & Wildlife Officer on more then one occasion every year for the last 5. And this is between the hours of Mid-night and 6AM.. And personally I know a few of them pretty well and it wouldn't look good if I thought I was above the law...

It's sad. The end of the way things were and should be in RI if it really comes to pass.

Ri license is 10 million billion bagillion dollars for out of staters :hihi:

:hee: or 1 dozen of your finest canoli

I only have 10 will that work ?

I thought it was a federal salt water fishing license.

Be advised they've conveniently updated it a bit over the years. Lots more wiggle room now to add laws to keep us off the shoreline:


Article 1, Section 17. Fishery rights -- Shore privileges -- Preservation of natural resources. -- The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state, including but not limited to fishing from the shore, the gathering of seaweed, leaving the shore to swim in the sea and passage along the shore; and they shall be secure in their rights to the use and enjoyment of the natural resources of the state with due regard for the preservation of their values; and it shall be the duty of the general assembly to provide for the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means necessary and proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and for the preservation, regeneration and restoration of the natural environment of the state.

Lets face facts, the cost of administering the license system has to come from somewhere, and with the way all governments are scrambling for money they aren't going to pay for it out of the general fund. But I think part of my idea may address that issue.

Surf fishing in my opinion is the last best "free" activity that we have available to us. That said, I agree that pressure will continue to be applied to implement some sort of SW license along the whole coast. Now some would say what's 20 bucks a year to fish...., I agree but consider this. I fish with my wife and we fish in Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and will probably try Maine, New Hampshire and New York. If each state has a license and it costs $20 and there are two of us (8 states * $20 * 2 family members = $320) it starts to add up. That's just the first year. As the years go by license fees will go up and $320 becomes $640 or more. Check out the license fee increases in your own state or the increases in the Chesapeake Bay license. All of a sudden my last best "free" activity is becoming expensive and that's without equipment costs, beach permits, gas costs etc. So what am I saying - if we believe that SW licenses are going to be a reality, then let's work together on a proposal to implement SW licenses that would benefit state programs and not hurt anglers too much. Some things that might be considered: Reasonable license fees that cannot be increased by more than a certain percentage over a certain number of years, Reciprocal agreements among states from Maine to North Carolina.

You could buy your license in any of those states and the revenues would be tied to the state where the license was bought, and license fees could only be used on programs that improve access and enhance saltwater fishing opportunities
What do you think?

This is by no means a done deal,you can read about it herehttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/m...%20License.pdf

OSSCA,
Wasn't a done deal when that booklet was drafted but it is now. The question is what will the new system look like, and that's where we need to direct our efforts.

You kinda do now, you have to produce some id

I hate the Idea yet like already said it would be alot easier to pay If I know it would come back to us in one form or another,it will probably be set up much like the freshwater system,hopefully with out a stamp.As far as not paying and still fishing, no way!I'll really be in trouble if a e.p.o. trys to take my outfit.:nailem:

How about a fish stamp, sorta like a duck stamp. goes on your state fishing license. entitles you to fish in salt water.
Naa too easy.

now that would make it alittle easier kill two birds with one stone, one license for booth fresh and salt a combo fishing license.

Just dont charge me for the freshwater part!

I don't see how they could charge you to fish in each state.

My drivers lic. is good in all 50 the last time I checked.

Jeff

but my fishing license is'nt of course the theory there is that the license pays for stuff related to...

I HATE the idea...one of the last free things to do
and what Karl said

I just think if this is going to happen it has to be one licence for all states.

Say you are out in your boat and drift into anothers state's waters are you going to be in viloation of that states law?

Who will inforce the open waters?

The Coast Guard. ,I think they already have their hands full.

I'm against licenseing for almost ANYTHING unless the fees are for the betterment of the activity or sport or what-ever.

The license will be here soon, I understand that, so what can a license accomplish.
Lets say, that eels are on the verge of being extinct for arguments sake and there needs to be some way of controling the amount being purchased for fishing. There can be x-amount of eels allocated be license per week with no roll over eels (like roll over minutes).

Pete is right! I don't think it is legal for the State of Rhode Island to require a saltwater fishing license. I thought they already settled that a while back when trying to get more tax revenue.

I have no idea whether I'm right or not. I'm just reading the law in a way that fits how I'd like things to be. ;) All I know is I don't like it.

As long as Lic. fees stays out of the General Fund in Massachusetts and the money goes towards Evnviromental Police overhead and fisheries managment-restoration, I am all for it.

Recreational lic. fee should be a small fee for the year. Let the commerical anglers fork out a higher fee.

It's unlikely that any of us will notice any difference in policing after the law is passed. We can only hope that a good chunk of money will go into more research of the bait fisheries habits and protection.

Article 1, Section 17; The people shall continue to providing adequate resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and for the preservation, regeneration and restoration of the natural environment of the state.

Regardless of what state your in, somehow we're all bound to except the new saltwater licensing..... Like it or not!

freshwater licenses are sold per each state... but that doesnt apply
to driving in each of those states.... true....

there must be something given back to the sport or resource.

all though i have envisioned already....fishermen in numbers
marching down the streets... i'd rather we didn't have to resort to
throwing dead fish on the court house steps to be heard.

States can easily manipulate these funds. They can promise you the monies will go back into fisheries and not into the general fund. Then they can turn around and appropriate that much less to the DEM budget therefore amounting to the same thing. If you don't think this sort of thing happens, I've got a great deal on a bridge for you. It the one that connects Newport to Jamestown and the price is a steal!!!. Catch'em up, ThomCat