Maryland Anglers Required to Register with Feds Before Fishi

[MaxOut]

Data to be Used to Manage Fisheries, Says DNR

ANNAPOLIS (December 23, 2009) – Starting Jan. 1, 2010, Maryland Anglers will need to register with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) before fishing. Anglers can register for free online or by calling a toll-free phone number.

This requirement is an essential part of a national commitment to effectively manage saltwater fish populations. The registry will allow fishermen and policy makers to work together to assess the contributions and impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems, coastal economies and fish populations. Since the requirement includes anyone who may catch an anadromous species (fish that travel between salt and fresh waters), anyone fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries and coastal waters, must be registered.

“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,” said Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “It’s only appropriate that recreational anglers be counted and thereby have a substantial impact on the management and health of coastal fish stocks.”

This initiative, known as the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), is designed to produce accurate information that will help determine the condition of fish stocks. This data will allow anglers, fisheries managers and others to effectively and fairly set strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing in salt waters.

DNR expects at the beginning of fishing in 2011, the Maryland fishing license will accommodate the requirements for the National Saltwater Registry. But, for 2010, anglers must all register directly with NOAA.

Anglers who do not need to register are those under 16 years old, anglers fishing on a charter boat, commercial fishermen at work, anglers holding highly migratory species permits, and anglers who hold a saltwater license from a state where they are automatically registered. Anglers fishing in one of Maryland’s Free Fishing areas or who are otherwise exempt from buying a Maryland fishing license still need to register with NOAA.

The process is free of charge. On or after January 1, go online to www.countmyfish.noaa.gov or call 1-888-MRIP-411 (888-674-7411)

Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

 

[andertonm]

Not just MD. The NOAA site lists the states that require NOAA registration. Just how many ways can our government find to mess with our lives?

 

[B-Faithful]

I spoke to DNR this week and they are hoping to make their license comply with the federal regulations before next year. Hopefully this will be the only year where we have a seperate registration.

 

[B-Faithful]

I think they are trying to gather better data, which is good. However, I think they will drive some people away from recreational fishing with their methods (thus weakening the economic impact of recreational fishing). They certainly need a recreational boat capt provision like they are giving to the charter and head boats.

 

[Chief C]

Boy o boy does this sound fishy. Commercial fishermen are exempt? How can NOAA collect a true representation of all fisheries (recreational and commercial)? I suspect this will be yet another Big Government move to implement more regulations, fees and taxes on recreational fishermen. Why? Because we don’t have lobbyist which were throwing millions of dollars at to attain preferential treatment.

If it smells like it, looks like it, it must be it.

 

[mildew2]

As a commercial hook and line fisherman. We have to turn in reports monthly. And our records are kept up with. So your not doing anything we don't have to do.....

 

[Chief C]

Well this topic can get personal real quick. I’m sure you submit your reports on time and I commend you for that, but you are not the only commercial fisherman. There are shipwrecks out there on both sides who choose to not follow the rules. My point is, why have two separate governing bodies? If the premise is that it is in the best interest of the fisheries wouldn’t you want equal governance across the board? Why would one side need to hire lawyers to court lobbyist to "sell" their interests?

Here is a unique bit of information from my puddle jumping friend (USCG). There are less than 5 annual boarding’s in the entire state of VA for commercial "governance" checks. How many boarding’s do you think occur on the recreational side? Granted the ratio is disproportional, but with that in mind, when those boarding’s do take place what do you think the ratio of compliance fines are? Here is the bottom line, it is about revenue for big government, it has nothing to do with conservation of our fisheries.

 

[lyssagale12]

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[sparky]

Well this topic can get personal real quick. I’m sure you submit your reports on time and I commend you for that, but you are not the only commercial fisherman. There are shipwrecks out there on both sides who choose to not follow the rules. My point is, why have two separate governing bodies? If the premise is that it is in the best interest of the fisheries wouldn’t you want equal governance across the board? Why would one side need to hire lawyers to court lobbyist to "sell" their interests?

Here is a unique bit of information from my puddle jumping friend (USCG). There are less than 5 annual boarding’s in the entire state of VA for commercial "governance" checks. How many boarding’s do you think occur on the recreational side? Granted the ratio is disproportional, but with that in mind, when those boarding’s do take place what do you think the ratio of compliance fines are? Here is the bottom line, it is about revenue for big government, it has nothing to do with conservation of our fisheries.

That ratio is way out-of-whack up here in MA. Commercial boats get boarded all the time. Recreational boats, rarely/never.