[JohnR]

Originally Posted by BobT

John. Does that mean that we MUST register in Mass. this year? I thought it was next year for us.

Thanks

Hi Bob, yes. Here is the info from the Mass site:

Recreational Saltwater Permit Comes to Massachusetts - Register federally in 2010, but purchase state permit in 2011.
New federal law [Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization of 2006, Saltwater Angler Registry Final Rule - NOAA Fisheries] requires most saltwater recreational fishermen to be documented in 2010. Massachusetts fishermen will be required to register with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). However, recently enacted state law, “An Act Instituting Saltwater Fishing Licenses”, enables MarineFisheries to build and implement a permitting program for 2011 and beyond that will exempt the Commonwealth’s saltwater recreational anglers from the federal registry. The new state law triggers a transition from the federal registry in 2010 to the state’s marine recreational fishing permit program in 2011.