When guys are pissed about license fees and say no to paying more (even though they would if the had to) it will be translated into "recreational fishermen aren't committed to their hobby".
When guys keep the check and fish anyways (since $500 would cover any fine they get), it will be that recreational fishermen can be bought of cheaply so they don't value the fishery.
This reeks of NOAA's commercial bias and you can be damn sure it is used to counteract the political pressure actually counting recreational fishermen is going to create.
I wouldn't cash it no mater how much the check was for I get to much enjoyment from fishing
In the course of one year in MA we go from fishing the salt for free.....a privilege we have enjoyed since the days of the mayflower to be offered by state and fed. gov. not to fish for a year in exchange for $500 bucks.......what's up with that??..........
Maybe it's like the farm bills where they paid farmers not to grow wheat, or alfalfa. But instead of helping the struggling commercial fishermen, they give the money to the recs to stay home with their wives.
I am not a commercial fisherman and this check was for my 2012 recreational saltwater permit. I'm not going to cash it and maybe thats the data they where looking for. That being said $500 would do alot to pay for hunting/fishing lic. and just plain bills. Being on the outer cape also makes it impractical to travel to RI or NH.
Seems like a cruel curse to put on you. Pass it up and every time fishing stinks you'll regret it. Claim it and every time fishing is good you'll regret it. Can't win.
cruel curse is exactly right. I got a call from the Globe and the reporter said she spoke to the survey people. They sent out checks of varying amounts with $500 being the most. Some of the surveys just asked how much you would need to be offerred for you to give up your permit and some like mine had actual checks. She said these offers will go out in four groups of mailings over the next few weeks.
She did say that the survey people said it had nothing to do with
fees for Permits or Lic. but to gauge economic impact of recreational fishing both real and perceived.
Hybrid Mode
