[numbskull]

I'm not trying to bait you, I'm trying to get you to think.

I agree it is not that difficult to follow the letter of the law. Anybody I want to take fishing I just need to buy them a license. That, however, is a strong disincentive against taking people fishing.

Over the decades I (and most other boat owners I know) have taken many dozens of people who are not fishermen, fishing. Most have enjoyed it. Already I am paying for fuel, tackle, and often food. Shelling out another $10/person adds up quickly when taking 3-4 people out. Becomes another hassle, another expense, and therefore another reason not to do it.

To compare this law to freshwater laws is simplistic. Freshwater fees pay for stocking, access, and enforcement. This saltwater law is ostensibly only to create a registry to allow better data acquisition. If I am a private boat owner, shouldn't I be able to satisfy that requirement without requiring every person fishing with me once per summer to pay a fee. Likewise, the idea that I may be responsible for checking the license status of anyone who fishes on my boat ( if in fact that is required.....I remain unsure that it is) seems a slippery slope indeed.