NJ Saltwater Registry for 2010, a reminder

[captnemo]

A reminder that all folks who want to fish in NJ for 2010 need to register before fishing next year



National Saltwater Angler Registry Program

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds saltwater anglers that the federal government's National Saltwater Angler Registry Program requires most New Jersey saltwater anglers to register prior to fishing in 2010. You must register if you* * Fish for or catch anadromous species (striped bass, shad, river herring) in state tidal waters * Fish in Federal waters (more than 3 miles from shore) You do not have to register if you* * Are under 16 years of age * Only fish on federally licensed party or charter boats * Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit Online and telephone registration will begin January 1, 2010.


Register online at http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov (http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov)

or call toll free 888-674-7411. Registration is free in 2010.

Fin facts -
According to a recent NOAA Fisheries survey, saltwater anglers had an overall economic impact of $82 billion and generated more than half a million jobs nationwide.

[fishinmission78]

I think it's crooked business. What if we all refused to register, what could they do?

[Frankiesurf]

This is supposed to go into effect on 1-1-2010 according to the federal guidelines. You may have to register with the feds if it doesn't happen. The federal registry will be free until 2011.

What happens if you don't register? If you do get checked you will most likely get a ticket. Here in NY the DEC was actually out doing license checks. The first offense is a $250 ticket. That would be enough convincing to me. Pay the $10 (FREE for NJ) or risk paying $250? Yea, I think the ten spot isn't going to break me. Two hundred fifty bucks is like 8 weeks of filling up my car. I would rather use it for that.

[finchaser]

Free registry bill stalls in senate

By KIRK MOORE
STAFF WRITER

A bill to create a free saltwater recreational fishing registry is held up in the state Senate Environment Committee, where chairman Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, says advocates for the fishing community must agree on some kind of fee structure to help the state Division of Fish and Wildlife run the system.

"We are the Chapter 11 state. We are as broke as you can get," Smith told fellow Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-NJ, who sponsors the registry bill S-2194. "I can't release a bill in good conscience that doesn't cover our costs."

New Jersey and other coastal states are under a federal mandate to sign up anglers in registry databases, to be used for polling so fisheries managers can get more accurate data about how many fish are caught annually. For states without registries, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be running registries by 2011 and likely charging fishermen $15 to $30 a year, Smith said.

Van Drew advocates creating a no-fee New Jersey registry, arguing it will help make the Jersey Shore more competitive as a fishing and tourism destination. Collecting money from anglers would only tempt state government to tap the fund for other purposes, and "there's absolutely no reason to believe those dollars would be used only for science, only for the benefit of fishermen," Van Drew said.

The question has split the recreational community too, with some groups like the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs supporting a paid registry, and the Recreational Fishing Alliance and United Boatmen opposing it.

"This is a registry, not a license," said James Donofio of the RFA, who advocates an online registry outside the state permit system.

Some fee advocates think recreational funding will give anglers more influence over fisheries management. "That is the motivation they've clearly expressed," said Ray Bogan of United Boatmen. Bogan says the party and charter boat captains worry that a paid registry will deter people from fishing in New Jersey, with consequences for the state's allocation of summer flounder and other species.

Smith suggested imposing a $2 registration fee on fishermen, the minimum that fish and wildlife Director David Chanda says is needed to process the angler registry through the department's permit system. But Van Drew insisted saltwater fishing should remain untaxed.

"I will buy everyone in this room dinner if that $2 fee doesn't increase to $5, to $10, to $20, to $30," Van Drew told the crowd of fishermen and lobbyists in the State House Annex meeting room. He maintains that a fund for a saltwater registry would inevitably be raided by an executive branch and Legislature desperate to fund other programs.

Chanda said he's been talking about the registry for months with anglers. "They know the registry is coming, and they know it won't be pretty," he said of fees.

Of the division's $25 million budget, every account has been reduced except for hunting and fishing license fees, Chanda said. "That doesn't mean it couldn't be taken," Chanda added, but federal grant money is dependent on those funds, and so far, the prospect of losing that money has deterred state leaders from touching the license fund.

[ledhead36]

It wouldn't suprise me if they use the funds for other programs that have nothing to do with fishing. I don't mind paying a fee, but don't scam us in the end.

[DarkSkies]

They put out a video to break it down a little better. OGB sent it to me, thanks. :HappyWave:

http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/mrip/mrip_video2.html


You must register if you…

Fish for or catch anadromous species (striped bass, shad, river herring) in state tidal waters
Fish in Federal waters (more than 3 miles from shore)


You do not have to register if you…
Are under 16 years of age
Only fish on federally licensed party or charter boats
Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit
Have a saltwater license from any of the following states:
Alabama
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Louisiana
Mississippi
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
South Carolina
Texas
Washington


Online and telephone registration will begin January 1, 2010. Register online at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov (http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/) or call toll free 888-674-7411. Registration is free in 2010.
Please visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov (http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/) for additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions about the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program and the new Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP)."

[baitstealer]

Isn't this still on hold?