Kiss it goodbye....

[Flaptail]

Fishing saltwater in Massachusetts for free that is. Got the word today from a friend on the Envirinmental Police. Feds pushed hard and the desision has been made.

Another f#cking fee so you can enjpy nature...a saltwater fishing license will be in effect by this time next year for the 2009 season.

Bend over here it comes.

What's next? Bird watching licenses?

this sucks the big wazoo.

[Raider Ronnie]

Good luck to the environmental police enforcing it !

[BigFish]

There is strength in numbers.....protest?

[Raider Ronnie]

Why would the feds be pushing state lic/fee anyway ?

[UserRemoved1]

But WHERE does the fee go? Does it go back to the states like the sportfishing excise tax or is it something that pays these bloated cows salaries in government?

[niko]

i'd be interested in knowing how the $ will be used. what percentege to enforcement, actual science, admin costs etc... how much is it in other states. 40 or so for in-state, or is it going to be a federal liscence

[animal]

This is old news guys.With the reauthorization of Magnuson-Stevens last year the feds stated that any coastal state without an angler registry in effect by 2009,would be forced to abide by a federal registry.There is no mandatory fee,but it's going to cost money to run it.We can gripe about it,but,it's being implemented to give us we wanted.Better numbers.We don't know how many recreational guys are fishing,or how many fish they catch.Therefore management has been based on estimates.We asked for this.

[leptar]

Yup old news...

NJ north to ME by 2009....

Read it here

[UserRemoved1]

" In Massachusetts, Division of Marine Fisheries director Paul Diodati is taking a wait-and-see approach. “Right now we have no plans to pursue a license or registry on our own,” said Diodati. “Our plan is to monitor what goes on with the federal government as far as implementing the registry.” Diodati expects more information on the national registry and requirements for state exemption will be defined at the State Directors Meeting, an annual meeting between state marine fishery directors and NOAA Fisheries officials to be held May 1-3 in San Diego, California. "

So the interesting thing here is what if Mass doesn't implement a state license but you fish RI or NH also....and the feds want the names etc for MASS. YOU'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FEDS ON ONE HAND AND THE OTHER STATES ALSO!

I can see alot of guys not fishing out of state anymore if the license doesn't cover different states. I fish Maine too and this means I got to buy THREE licenses now? RI, MA, Maine?

[lurch]

another way for the states to waste money.

More money for the hacks to line their pockets.

[MikeToole]

The license is coming and there is nothing going to stop it this time. I would think that the best thing to focus on is pushing for a reciprocal agreement between the Northeast states where they accept each others license. If not that than don't make non-residents pay more.

Where will all the money go, more than likely to hire more field officer to check licenses.

[Gunpowder]

Idea: $1.25 for MA residents. $125 for Jersey, NY, and CT!

JK outastaters.... I love you too.

But this is total !

[Bigcat]

What are they going to do for us with that big cash windfall ?
Oh yeah hire more political hacks

[Raven]

,,,,,,,,,,,

[capecodkid]

Hope the money can go to our resources. Hopefully build better boat ramps and get more public access. Look at Florida, there boat ramps are beautiful. There license money goes to there resources.

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by capecodkid

Hope the money can go to our resources. Hopefully build better boat ramps and get more public access. Look at Florida, there boat ramps are beautiful. There license money goes to there resources.

And signs as well as pictures posted at them explaining how to properly use them. Way too many people are power loading and what have you. The best boat ramp I think I have ever been to is the canal one. Yes it cost money to use but at least you know your rear wheel tire isn't going to get stuck in a hole under water. Unfortunately..... I find it hard to believe that this money will stay in the department we want it to stay in.

[pal156]

how will this afect the commercial guys,we already have to buy a license.Now will need to buy another one?

[Gunpowder]

God I sure hope not.... its already at like 90 bucks for a commercial bass license along with the rod and reel license. They just keep adding it all on there ...... and really, someone please tell me how they are going to enforce this one when they cant even enforce the 10.5" scup limit.... I wish the enviro police were able to but lets be realistic.

[BasicPatrick]

Anyone that was at the MSBA meeting this past Wednesday heard the position of the Ma DMF first hand....

[macojoe]

See all you guys in Jail!! I will not pay!!

I will be in jail and sell all my stuff before I give thess F*&# people one more F%&$ penny!! I and all you already pay 1/3 rd your yearly income to taxes!

Taxes go up, fuel does up, Food Goes up, Oil gone up, the list keeps going!
The F(&%^ State has already took every penny from every fund to try to pay for the F%^&* Big Dig and other Shi*!!
Everything goes UPUPUPUPUPUP!!!!!!!!

NOT my Pay!!!!!!!!

[OLD GOAT]

See you in jail

[lurch]

if you cant beat em join em!

Got to find out about becoming a EPO...will make 200K per year with all of the OT and new budget money...have to become the EPO for the Vineyard or Nantucket

[stripersnipr]

What about fishing in Fed waters?

[fishsmith]

Originally Posted by lurch

if you cant beat em join em!

Got to find out about becoming a EPO...will make 200K per year with all of the OT and new budget money...have to become the EPO for the Vineyard or Nantucket

GOOD PLAN !!-

and you get to beat the $h&& out of boats and motor, start em up and drop the hammer, if you blow the motor, it's just filling out form to get a new one. (gov't funding is based on use it or lose it)

This really blows, more bacon for the gov't. Oh well, I agree with the f-em dept.

[Nebe]

Im all for it.

[Rappin Mikey]

Does that mean you will have to buy two licenses. One for salt, one for fresh?? That's BS!

[zimmy]

nc has one and it is cheaper than buying bait or a plug. I understand some of the feelings about this, but maybe it will get used for the intended purpose?

[NIGHT STRIKES]

Originally Posted by zimmy

but maybe it will get used for the intended purpose?

I think thats what is the main concern and the real reason why most are again'st this fee/charge etc., if everything went back into the fishery and or enforcement of the laws I believe most would be onboard here...

[striperondafly]

thats my position - if you can show me how it is gonna help the rec angler by putting the money into the fishery and not the politicians pockets than I am all for it

otherwise I will fish without a license and pay the fine if I get caught

[Mike P]

How many of you guys would buy a Beachmaster on eBay for $50?

Bet the license will cost less, and it'll last longer than the first bluefish that swims along.

Listening to you people complain about a lousy fee that'll run less than the cost of an inflated plug is almost comical.

I don't like it any more than you do, but it's inevitable. Big Brother calls the shots. The days when states could thumb their nose at Washington are over, and have been for 40 years. You either toe the line or lose billions in funding (remember how DC shoved the .08 OUI limit down the throat of every state, and the 55 mph speed limit back in the 70s). Suck it up. What most of you spend on fishing in a year could buy licenses for a whole Boy Scout troop.