National Registry - Angler Questions
Meeting answers angler questions
By Wayne Hooper
July 19, 2008 6:00 AM
A new national saltwater angler registry will go into effect on New Year's Day. To help inform saltwater anglers in New Hampshire about the upcoming change, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department held a public informational meeting about the national registry on July 16 at the Urban Forestry Center on Elwyn Road in Portsmouth.
Gordon Colvin of NOAA Fisheries was available to answer questions and provide information about the new registry. Legislators interested in this subject were encouraged to attend.
Who will have to register? All anglers and spear fishermen who fish in federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore) and anglers and spear fishermen who may catch anadromous fish (such as striped bass, shad, salmon, smelt) in any tidal waters. Also for-hire vessel operators who are not already federally or state licensed.
Who will NOT have to register?
The proposed rules would exempt the following people from registering:- Children under the age of 16.
- Persons angling from a licensed for-hire vessel (party and charter boats).
- Persons with a valid saltwater fishing license from a state that collects and provides the required registry information to NOAA Fisheries.
- Other minor exemptions (see the proposed rules).
Will it cost anything to register?
Initially, the registration will be free, but the federal law allows a fee to be charged, beginning in 2011, which is estimated to be $15 to $25.
How will you be able to register?
Either at a Web site or via a toll-free number.
What information will you need to provide?
The proposed rules call for individuals to submit their name, address, phone number, and region of the country they intend to fish. The information would remain confidential and used only for the purpose of gathering information on recreational saltwater fishing trips.
When do I have to register?
It is important that all saltwater anglers be aware of the new requirement to register beginning in January 2009.
Some states have a saltwater fishing license, will anglers in those states still have to register?
Having a resident saltwater fishing license from a state that collects and provides the required registry information to NOAA Fisheries would exempt an angler from having to register, because their state would automatically take care of that with the information provided for the license.
Is there a plan for New Hampshire to have a state saltwater license, so that registry fees paid by anglers would go the state instead of to the federal government?
A proposal for a saltwater license is currently under consideration in a study committee at the State Legislature.
NOAA Fisheries, NH Fish and Game, and other state marine resource agencies will be working in the coming months to get the word out about the new registry. The public is encouraged to visit the NOAA Fisheries Web site www.countmyfish.noaa.gov and get the facts.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Interim study full committee work had a work session on HB 527-FN-A, establishing a recreational saltwater license for fishing of marine species in coastal and estuarine waters of New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago.
Well, for once I get to toot my horn as I warned you years ago that a saltwater fishing license would be coming. Is it right? Is it fair? Is it needed? NO, to all of these questions. It is just another way politicians can take money out of our pockets to spend foolishly and recklessly on other projects.
Bombard your congressmen/women and tell them cease this foolishness now. Remember it is an election year and let then know that they will lose your vote if they don't smarten up and drop this proposal.
Maine's view on saltwater is as follows: Saltwater angling licenses are not required for recreational saltwater angling. A commercial license is required when any marine species is sold and when more than the recreational bag limits are in possession of the angler. Selling fish without a commercial permit is prohibited. There are regulations covering size, bag limits, possession limits and methods of fishing for, but not limited to the following species: Atlantic Salmon, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Sturgeon, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Cod, Haddock, Halibut, Pollack, Redfish, Smelt, Winter/ Summer Flounder, Sharks. Current saltwater fishing information can be obtained by contacting the Recreational Marine Fisheries Program, Maine DMR, PO Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575. Telephone: (207) 633-9500. Send a copy of this to your elected politicians in New Hampshire. Tell them that Maine with a 2,500-mile coastline doesn't have a recreational saltwater requirement, so why should New Hampshire with its 16-mile coastline have one?
