[JohnR]

Thanks Dennis, hope to see you there tomorrow night...

I pulled this off of the RISAA web site: http://www.risaa.org/newsletter/110801_recliccomm.html

Recreational License Subcommittee Begins Work
(Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Modernization Act of 2001)

by
Steve Medeiros

The Recreational License Subcommittee of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) held its first meeting on October 25, and began what is sure to be a lengthy, in-depth investigation into the possibility of instituting a recreational marine fishing license for Rhode Island.

In December, 2000, Governor Lincoln Almond requested that the Coastal Institute of the University of Rhode Island (URI) develop a forum to identify the different options before the State with respect to commercial fishing licensing. A moratorium on new licenses was in place, and a solution needed to be found on how best to resolve the commercial license problem. This became known as "Phase I" of the process.

As a result of Phase I, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted (H.6544A) known as the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Modernization Act of 2001, which mandates that the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Coastal Institute, with input from commercial and recreational fishing interests, evaluate a wide range of options for improving the fisheries management of Rhode Island.

As a method of resolving the many issues of concern, six subcommittees were created:

1) Commercial License Restructuring/Data Collection and Management;

2) Lobster Management;

3) Finfish Management;

4) Shellfish Management;

5) Aquaculture Management; and ...

6) Recreational Licensing.

The members of the Rec Subcommittee, co-chaired by David Borden of the Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) and Stephen Medeiros of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), were presented with an overview of the current Rhode Island recreational fishery management program.

Fishing is the most popular form of outdoor recreation in the State, and is the second most popular tourist attraction. According to the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey (MRFSS), Rhode Island has approximately 325,000 recreational anglers who make over 1 million fishing trips each year and spend millions of dollars annually.

There are twenty-one coastal states in the continental United States, and twelve of them require a recreational marine fishing license. Rhode Island is not one of them.

Tim Lynch and Dennis Erkan, biologists from Fish & Wildlife, explained how data collection is currently done and the importance of "good data" in managing our fisheries. Being able to establish factual numbers of anglers and catch data will enable them to provide proof of the actual numbers of fish landed in Rhode Island.

According to Lynch, in order to protect and enhance marine recreational fisheries for current and future generations, it is imperative that decision-makers have the information and the resources necessary to make wise management decisions.

David Borden explained to the committee that the only financial contribution by marine anglers to marine recreational programs is through a 10% federal excise tax generated from the purchase of fishing tackle, fuel sold at marinas and sport fishing equipment. These federal tax receipts are returned to the states on a prorated basis. They require that the state MATCH FUNDS to qualify. Rhode Island currently has no dedicated state funds for marine recreational fishing programs.

The allocation of recreationally based federal match monies administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service given to the state of Rhode Island is currently at the legal maximum. This means that no additional federal monies can be received by Rhode Island.

Borden also explained the need for funds by Fish & Wildlife. He told the committee that in 1990 DFW had a budget of $1.2 million. Now DFW gets $600,000 - half of what it received ten years ago.

Committee members, and citizens present in the audience, brought up many questions about federal and state funding. Most of the questions will require DFW personnel to investigate and bring back the information at the next meeting of the subcommittee.

After just one meeting, it is apparent that the committee members are prepared for a thorough investigation into the FACTUAL basis for licensing, data collection, and finances.

Members of the Recreational License Subcommittee are: George Allen, a member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, of the Newport County Saltwater Fishing Club and the R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association; Greg Ames, angler (no group affiliation); Capt. Frank Blount, owner of the Frances Fleet and member of the New England Fisheries Management Council; Edward Bogdan, member of East Bay Anglers, R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association, and member of RIMFC Bluefish Advisory Panel; Douglas MacPherson, 1st VP of R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association and member of RIMFC Fluke and Winter Flounder Advisory Panels; Ronald Mouchon, owner of Breachway Bait & Tackle in Charlestown; Dan Pedro, member of West Bay Anglers; Stephen Segerson, member of R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association; Eugene Spring, Board Member of R.I. Mobile Sportfishermen; Roger Tellier, President of Bristol County Striper Club; Capt. James White, member of R.I. Party & Charter Boat Association; Dennis Zambrotta, President of Newport County Striper Club and member of RIMFC Striped Bass Advisory Panel.

The subcommittee will next meet on November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Coastal Institute, URI Bay Campus, Narragansett. The meeting is open to the public.

I'm very interested in how this meeting as well as the others to follow will play out...

Saltheart - you going?