Ma. Fishing License Question?? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

BigFish · 11-07-2008, 02:26 PM

Just curious why having or not having a Ma. State Saltwater Fishing License was not something we could have had on the ballot instead of the Ma. Fisheries just saying "OK this is how its gonna be!"????? Seems like we vote for alot of other things......why was this not put to a vote???!!!

MVbluefish · 11-07-2008, 02:46 PM

I think this is a federal mandate that all states will have to conform to or lose huge amounts of funding.

The Dad Fisherman · 11-07-2008, 03:19 PM

The feds are requiring a registry of all saltwater anglers, if your state has a Registry of them the feds will not implement there's. So MA is implementing one so that the money stays in state versus going to the federal government.

Either way....its going to happen

FishermanTim · 11-07-2008, 03:33 PM

...As long as they don't try and add it to the state's "rainy-day" funds.
(You know, those millions of dollars that only seem to benefit the people in power, those funds that won't be used to fund our faltering school system but can sure as hell move a fire hydrant from in front of a senators Beacon Hill condo, or make sure that the "right" streets get paved and plowed before EVERYONE else.)

It's funny, because if the saltwater license fees do get used to fund the hire of additional field officers, and they raise the license prices, wouldn't it be logical that they would have fewer people willing to dole out cash for both a fresh AND salt license (for EACH state you intend in fishing)?
And if fewer people end up doling out the cash year after year, then wouldn't they have to let some (or all) of those officers go?
Then we would be free to fish without a license and without any hassles because of lack of license enforcement.

I know this is somewhat far-fetched and simplified, but in the grand scheme of things, it sounds like it may be a vicious cycle.

My suggestion would be to present an option for a "combo" license, that covers both feresh and salt. It could save time an money.

The Dad Fisherman · 11-07-2008, 03:41 PM

I'll be getting both....as well as a NH Freshwater.

They are still working out reciprocity on the saltwater side (i.e. RI would let MA guys fish and visa versa) and hopefully they work something out....

ElSluggo · 11-07-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

Just curious why having or not having a Ma. State Saltwater Fishing License was not something we could have had on the ballot instead of the Ma. Fisheries just saying "OK this is how its gonna be!"????? Seems like we vote for alot of other things......why was this not put to a vote???!!!

Won't be put up to vote because no one cares what we think. They will tell us what's good for us!

Pete F. · 11-07-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I'll be getting both....as well as a NH Freshwater.

They are still working out reciprocity on the saltwater side (i.e. RI would let MA guys fish and visa versa) and hopefully they work something out....

So which ones are going to let Vt guys fish?

Finaddict · 11-07-2008, 09:05 PM

Either way it's a crock oh S#$@ ... it works well in Florida for two reasons, the state is so huge, you don't have to worry about crossing into other state's waters ... of course you live on the Georgia border or the far end of the Panhandle and could cross over to Alabama ... and that money does get used as it's intended ... or it did for the first several years it went into action.

Additionally - it was mainly for anglers who fished off boats, if you fished the shore and were a resident, you didn't need the saltwater license - residents could fish the shoreline without a license ... although you wetsuiters would probably have to get one ...

it will be interesting to see if they do that with the Mass license ... also, what if you fish Maine one day, Mass the next and CT or RI the following? Believe you me, I have done it more than once ... at least I did it prior to my daughter being born ... but I am not going to pay for all those states to fish there ...

... I can carry on and on, but think it's BS.

gone fishin · 11-07-2008, 10:09 PM

This has been beat to death at all club meetings.
It will happen!
Ma is trying to make it parallel to the fresh water rules
probably going to be 15 Buks

JohnnyD · 11-08-2008, 01:28 AM

$15 and I'm fine with it. $25+ and it starts to become upsetting. $35+ and I'm pissed.

Hopefully it goes to help the sport we love, and to help conserve the fish that draw us to the sport... and maybe to hire hitmen to take out the seals.

Mike P · 11-08-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

$15 and I'm fine with it. $25+ and it starts to become upsetting. $35+ and I'm pissed.

.

I hope you're not one of those guys who think nothing of spending $50 for a Beachmaster plug.

Pete F. · 11-08-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

$15 and I'm fine with it. $25+ and it starts to become upsetting. $35+ and I'm pissed.

Hopefully it goes to help the sport we love, and to help conserve the fish that draw us to the sport... and maybe to hire hitmen to take out the seals.

Just think what they will do to non residents, I am sure they will say get ready

fishermom · 11-08-2008, 11:10 AM

Hey guys....Basic Patrick here on my honey's 'puter...I am on the MA DMF Marine Recreational Registry Steering Committee....

There are some questions in this thread that can be answered by searching the site for older threads from the early Fall

That being said...the reccomendation from the committee and I also know DMF is in agreement is for both resident and non resident licenses to be the same at $15 for an annual

Now...once committee work is final, MA DMF & MA Fish & Game will bring the reccomendation/consensus document to the LT Gov and there will be a decision on who writes the legislation...once written, the state legislature gets a shot at it...early indication is the legislature wants no part of a fight over a license and may not mess with the consensus language...we shall see

one more bit of info...why is it not ongoing right now...the committee will not finalize the reccomendation until we see what the final details in the proposal from the Feds will say...that was promised to be released by Nov 1...it did not happen...all are waiting for this document...however...the longer we wait, the tougher it is for the feds to get a license in for 2009...just like I predected months ago on this site

i will update as soon as we have info

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Just think what they will do to non residents, I am sure they will say get ready

BigFish · 11-08-2008, 11:12 AM

Patrick...why is this something that was not voted on???

JohnnyD · 11-08-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

I hope you're not one of those guys who think nothing of spending $50 for a Beachmaster plug.

Not at all. 90% of my plugs were purchased 2nd hand and repaired by me. Never spent more than $15 for a plug, except for once.

The Saltwater license is obviously inevitable and I find $15-25 to be reasonable, especially considering the price of a freshwater license. Granted, the freshwater license covers the expenses needed for the annual stockings. Hopefully, the saltwater licenses will go towards preserving the stripers. (and maybe pay to put observers on those bottom and mid-water trawlers.)

davisd · 11-08-2008, 06:53 PM

Thank you Patrick for the update. Sure you will fill us in at the meeting like you have at the last 3 or 4 meetings.

Redsoxticket · 11-08-2008, 07:13 PM

How many phone calls would you expect that the licensees will be receiving during the course of the year?
My time is valuable to be wasting time answering surveys along with cell phone minutes, besides my number is private.
Why don't all licencees not include their phone number until their is a definite answer to the allocation of the money. Better yet just don't give a number.

inTHERAPY · 11-08-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsoxticket

How many phone calls would you expect that the licensees will be receiving during the course of the year?
My time is valuable to be wasting time answering surveys along with cell phone minutes, besides my number is private.
Why don't all licencees not include their phone number until their is a definite answer to the allocation of the money. Better yet just don't give a number.

I do not understand your thinking. You do not want to see improved fisheries management? A major problem with management is data collection.

Gary · 11-08-2008, 08:43 PM

Not to be an idiot, Does my state comercial and my federal comercial multi spieicies premits cover the licences?

OLD GOAT · 11-09-2008, 10:23 AM

First the licence,then a extra stamp for each type of fish at an extra cost,then more money depending on which area( Nantucket,MV,Cape cod, north shore, South shore) you are going to fish AND DON,T FORGET THIS MONEY WILL GOINTO A GENERAL FUND so that nothing gets done except feeding a bunch of @#*^#@ people.