FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday June 12, 2008
MA Salt Water Fishing Registry (aka: License) Process to Begin
A statement from the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association
This morning, in newspapers across the state, it is being reported
that beginning in 2009, the federal government has announced a plan
through NOAA/Fisheries to institute a recreational angler registry in
states that do not have a salt water angler registration (read:
license), and this includes MA. This action is the result of a
requirement in the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act passed in
congress last year and has been anticipated for some time. This
announcement will without a doubt trigger the formal process of MA
considering developing a salt water fishing license.
There are many unanswered questions and issues involved in and related
to the upcoming process and MSBA has been preparing our involvement
for over a year. Over the past winter MSBA approached both the head of the MA DMF Sport Fishing Program, Dr. Mike
Armstrong and MA DMF Director Paul Diodati and suggested that the DMF
not wait to be forced into this process by a federal proposal and be
proactive and convene a committee of recreational fishing
representatives to explore options for MA recreational anglers. I am
happy to report that last week, MSBA was invited to participate in
just such a committee. MSBA President Bill Prodouz has appointed MSBA
Past President and Gov't Affairs Officer Patrick Paquette to represent
and also educate and inform the MSBA membership throughout this process.
Historically, MSBA has been opposed to a Salt Water Fishing License
and that position will not change without a vote of the MSBA
Membership. Conversations with and between members both on and off
the floor of MSBA monthly meetings indicates the MSBA membership is
open minded to some sort of registry/license if it contained certain
details that would benefit our fishing community and would not result
in just another tax. Being affiliated nationally with the
Recreational Fishing Alliance also has enabled MSBA to learn about
registry/license details that have and have not worked in other
states. In the coming months, MSBA will communicate accurate
information to our membership via our newsletter and website
www.msba.net and will undergo the process of making decisions and
taking positions. As always, MSBA is prepared for the coming process
and will help lead the MA recreational fishing community through the
upcoming process.
One note of caution: In the coming days and weeks there will be a
great deal of speculation, rumor, confusion and mis-information
written in newspapers and on the internet about the "pending"
registry/license and related processes. MSBA urges all MA
recreational anglers to avoid joining the inevitable emotional roller
coaster and resist the urge to react to every bit of information. Our
state has a fifty plus year history of organized recreational fishing
organizations and the best way to address the issues is through these
organizations that have the experience and relationships needed to
navigate through the political process we now face. In addition to
participating on the MA DMF committee mentioned above, MSBA has
already taken action to provide our membership with accurate
information. At the MSBA membership meeting on June 25th, in addition
to the monthly entertainment, this month supplied by Armand Tetreault
of Rhode Island Poppers, MSBA will shorten it's regular business
meeting in order to hear a 20 minute presentation, without debate,
from the federal agencies developing the angler registration program
announced today.
For more information, attend MSBA monthly meetings, monitor
www.msba.net, read the MSBA monthly newsletter or contact MSBA Gov't
Affairs Officer Patrick Paquette (BasicPAtrick@aol.com).
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