MD Saltwater Lic
I thought we were the only ones left. How do they work with the federal license? Do we have to register and pay for both?
Md. officials consider $15 saltwater fishing license
By Candus Thomson | candy.thomson@baltsun.com Baltimore Sun reporter
License, which needs General Assembly approval, would end free fishing on Atlantic and on coastal bays behind Ocean City
State officials want to implement a comprehensive $15 saltwater fishing license starting next year to bring Maryland into compliance with federal law and keep revenue here that otherwise would be funneled to Washington.
The new license, which needs General Assembly approval, would end free fishing for anglers on the Atlantic Ocean and on the coastal bays behind Ocean City.
In addition, the bill: would increase the length of short-term licenses from five to seven days; would establish a free registry for anglers fishing aboard a pleasure boat, waterfront property owners and their immediate family fishing from their property and individuals fishing in a free fishing area; would create reciprocal fees for non-resident licenses; and would authorize a commercial pier fishing license.
Finally, the bill adopts the recommendation of the Task Force on Fisheries Management by maintaining residential recreational fishing license prices established by the General Assembly in 2007 but scheduled to sunset later this year.
The action is in response to a law, passed by Congress and signed by then- President George W. Bush, that requires an annual census of saltwater anglers to provide a more accurate picture of the type and the number of fish being caught to prevent overfishing. For the eight coastal states — including Maryland — that lack a comprehensive saltwater license, a free National Saltwater Angler Registry is providing a one-year cushion.
As a result, millions of anglers must go on line (countmyfish.noaa.gov) or call 888-674-7411 to register before they fish.
The national registry, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will cost anglers next year; estimates range from $20 to $30. That money will go to the U.S. Treasury.
Later this year, Maryland will be switching to a new computer system to handle licensing and boat registrations, and officials hope to have permission to implement the new license on Jan. 1. Revenue from a Maryland saltwater license would stay in state.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/o...tory?track=rss
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