New Licensing system?

[MakoMike]

O.K. Here is what I ws thinking of in terms of this new licensing system and how it might work.

1) since MRFSS needs a registry of all anglers it would have to include everyone who fishes in salt water, no exceptions for kids, elderly, ect.

2) for the same reason, charter/party boats would be required to issue licenses on the spot to patrons who didn't already have one.

3) since MRFSS does not wish to duplicate individuals in its registry, one license would be good in all coastal states, no matter what state issued it.

4) The funds to pay for the administration of the licensing system would distributed to the states out of the Sporfishing Restoration fund at the rate of $X per angler licensed in the state. (several benefits from this provision in that there would be no reason for anyone to avoid getting the license and everyone would pay for the system, even if the opt to not get a license and break the law. The Sport Fishing restoration fund is paid for out of the excise tax on fishing equipment).

Since this would require a new federal law as well as state laws to comply with it, would you be willing to write to your congressman senators ans state legialators to support this legislation?

[JFigliuolo]

That being said... Yes, I would.

[Karl F]

ACCESS.. need it in writing.. provision for funds for more ACCESS.. more Parking.. more Launch Ramps.. Dedicated Fund.. no moneys to GF.. all written into Law.. Than I will vote Yes.. until then.. No Thanks.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Karl F

ACCESS.. need it in writing.. provision for funds for more ACCESS.. more Parking.. more Launch Ramps.. Dedicated Fund.. no moneys to GF.. all written into Law.. Than I will vote Yes.. until then.. No Thanks.

What funds? The license would be free!

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

What funds? The license would be free!

OK.. (sorry).. I know my boys on Beacon Hill waaaaay to good to even think that.. THAT would happen....

Best of LUCK.

[Slipknot]

If it's gonna happen anyway and it won't cost me any money out of my pocket like you described, yes I'd support it. I just wish a fresh water license would work the same way and be good in any state, but that's another subject.
What will the cost to administer these be?I hope it doesn't suck too much out of that excise tax on fishing tackle.

[Karl F]

Even if it happened, I would not trust it.. every time I have gotten anything for free from any form of Govt... it ended up being a fee down the road.

Example.. Beach Stickers.. they used to be Free.. anybody remember? It is just so we get a count... OK..
Than 5 bucks... oh.. Residents Free.. then a couple more years... $20.. Residents $5...

Look at the 5 buck so called Donation on your FW liscense.. How can it be a donation, if it is Mandatory....

[bloocrab]

Originally Posted by Karl F

Even if it happened, I would not trust it.. every time I have gotten anything for free from any form of Govt... it ended up being a fee down the road.

Example.. Beach Stickers.. they used to be Free.. anybody remember? It is just so we get a count... OK..
Than 5 bucks... oh.. Residents Free.. then a couple more years... $20.. Residents $5...

Look at the 5 buck so called Donation on your FW liscense.. How can it be a donation, if it is Mandatory....

BINGO!
I'm w/Karl
sooner than later the request will come: "PAY UP SUCKA"....

That being said, if it happens it happens...if we have to pay, we'll pay...but we get drained enough from the government as it is...so I'm against any kind of salt/license.

[BigFish]

I feel like I have an intravenus tube hooked up to my wallet and the other end is draining into Govt. coffers! I can't blink without paying a friggin tax or fee of some kind!!!

[Swimmer]

I can see it now:within three miles of shore it will be a state license, outside the three mile limit in federal waters it will be a federal license, and it will be that way in each and every state/commonwealth.oke:

[ronfish]

Under the system you described I would back a license for the salt, but I don't really trust the politicians to keep their hands out of my pockets somewhere down the road. Ron

[Krispy]

don't tread on me

[eelman]

BY JOHN GEISER
CORRESPONDENT

Proponents of a saltwater fishing license are busy as usual working every
backroom and hall from Trenton to Washington.

They are making some progress against those who love freedom and liberty by
moving the campaign as far away from salt water as possible. The recently passed
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act contained a provision
opening the door to a national saltwater registration system.

The language in the bill does not specify imposition of a saltwater fishing
license, and no fee can be charged until after Jan. 1, 2011. The Recreational
Fishing Alliance, the United Boatmen of New Jersey and New York and others were
able to prevent an immediate mandate.

The saltwater fishing license idea has been around in New Jersey for 50 years,
and each time it has been brought up, it has been soundly rejected.

New Jersey is the most heavily taxed state in the Union, and it is a remarkable
testimony to the zeal of fishermen and the backbone of legislators and governors
for the last half century that the saltwater tax has never been adopted.

In 1988, Gov. Thomas Kean told me he supported President George H.W. Bush in
opposing a saltwater fishing license.

"I'm against a saltwater fishing license," he said, and his stand has been
echoed by every New Jersey governor since that time.

Ironically, the saltwater fishing license is being pushed at a time when
recreational fishermen are getting less and less. Restrictions on fishing for
winter flounders, blackfish, fluke, porgies, weakfish, tuna, sharks, marlin, sea
bass, cobia, cod, haddock, pollock, king mackerel, red drum, river herring and
Spanish mackerel are getting tighter and tighter.

A saltwater fishing license for recreational anglers now would be the equivalent
of a driver's license restricting the operator to commuting to and from work
only with full driving privileges in his home driveway.

James A. Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, said
a concerted effort to pass a saltwater fishing license in Delaware is being
fought actively.

"This is a tax pure and simple," he said. "They talk about the money being
dedicated to saltwater fishing, but the money goes into the general treasury."

[gone fishin]

Thanks Karl - you hit it right on the head! This smacks of the deal for access to the sand of many years ago! #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& has done his homework and his input is enlightening. If we were to have a saltwater license and expect the rules to be the same along the entire coast, I think we are dreaming. Some have stated that one license without fee would cover all. NO WAY - I remember when our access was cut off rom the beaches. Like Karl has explained, it started out with a head count and rapidly went to over 150 buks a year and more, for the privilage to have lilmited access. If you think the National Seashore people are not going to get a grip on the $ - think again.

[MakoMike]

It doesn't seem like I'm getting through to you guys. The license is here. It no longer matters whether you or I think a license is warranted, It's already enacted law. What I'm trying to figure our is how to shape the system so that it does the least amount of damage to our sport and the industry that supports it.

[Karl F]

I get you, Loud and Clear, it's coming real soon, has to, it's been mandated.. now get me.. you will pay, don't get sucked into, oh, we won't charge you, we just need a head count. That is the foot in the door, to charge you down the road. Don't buy into it, or fall for it.

The clubs and organazations, need to get invovled, if they not already are, to try and see what provisions they can get into writing, as to what the recreational angler will get back, if anything, for their $

[Finlander]

Conn. is now looking into a $ 30:00 out-of state saltwater licence and $ 15:00 for in state, if passes look's like will go into effect for next year.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Finlander

Conn. is now looking into a $ 30:00 out-of state saltwater licence and $ 15:00 for in state, if passes look's like will go into effect for next year.

Just curious as to where you found the reference? I heard that it was going to be introduced this week.

[Finlander]

Hey MakoMike,
The Feb, 1 meeting of the Bureau Of Natural Resources annouced it had submitted legislation designed to stabilze funding as rising expenses and declining license sales needed to be turned around. A few types of other licenses will see increases, the free licences for 65 and old will end at the end of the year, but the biggest surprize was the proposed marine license. Public hearings to take place at the end of Feb.

[Casting Z's]

I don't know what the promise is to the people by passing this law, but
you can be sure that not much will change in terms of real protection of what the majority really thinks is important. The policing however, may be more prevalent, only towards a degree of how many more boats are driving around sporting "Marine Enforcement".
The commercial fishermen and all recreational fishermen are usually working within the boundaries of the law and acknowledge and honor the preservation of our native fish. There's a few who might step over the line, but judging by this site and others, it's not worth the extra cost of this bureaucratic bull %$%$%$%$!

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Finlander

Hey MakoMike,
The Feb, 1 meeting of the Bureau Of Natural Resources annouced it had submitted legislation designed to stabilze funding as rising expenses and declining license sales needed to be turned around. A few types of other licenses will see increases, the free licences for 65 and old will end at the end of the year, but the biggest surprize was the proposed marine license. Public hearings to take place at the end of Feb.

Thanks for that!