CapeCodFrank
Well-known member
The following appeared in the Cape Cod Times yesterday...
"This is the first month of the new fishing year for saltwater recreational anglers, and it comes with new responsibilities.
Looking to improve data on how many fish are caught by recreational fishermen, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is, for the first time, requiring a saltwater fishing license.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries was hoping to have its own saltwater license program in place that would have supplanted the federal one. Gov. Deval Patrick signed the state program into law in November, but it will not be ready to go until next year.
Recreational saltwater anglers will have to register with NOAA this year, then switch to the state license in 2011.
The federal fishing license is free this year, but will cost $25 next year. The state will charge an annual license fee of $10. Massachusetts anglers eventually will only have to pay the state fee.
State law requires that money collected under the state's program go into a dedicated recreational fishing fund. The law also stipulates that one-third of the funds, each year, will be used to improve public access to coastal waters.
The public access money will go to projects such as boat ramps, fishing piers and improving public parking, said DMF spokeswoman Catherine Williams.
Part of the money will go toward complying with the new federal requirements for collecting catch statistics and another portion will go to improving recreational fisheries management, science, education and outreach, Williams said.
Anglers do not need to register for the federal license if they are under 16 years of age; pay to fish on a licensed charter, party or guide boat; already fish commercially under a valid license; or hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling permit or subsistence grant. Other regulations may apply.
To get a license go to http://countmyfish.noaa.gov and click on the Angler Registry link, or call the toll-free registration line at 1-888-674-7411 from 4 a.m. to 12 midnight daily. Callers give their name, date of birth, address and telephone number, and get a registration number that allows them to begin fishing immediately.
They will receive a registration card by mail within 30 days."
"This is the first month of the new fishing year for saltwater recreational anglers, and it comes with new responsibilities.
Looking to improve data on how many fish are caught by recreational fishermen, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is, for the first time, requiring a saltwater fishing license.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries was hoping to have its own saltwater license program in place that would have supplanted the federal one. Gov. Deval Patrick signed the state program into law in November, but it will not be ready to go until next year.
Recreational saltwater anglers will have to register with NOAA this year, then switch to the state license in 2011.
The federal fishing license is free this year, but will cost $25 next year. The state will charge an annual license fee of $10. Massachusetts anglers eventually will only have to pay the state fee.
State law requires that money collected under the state's program go into a dedicated recreational fishing fund. The law also stipulates that one-third of the funds, each year, will be used to improve public access to coastal waters.
The public access money will go to projects such as boat ramps, fishing piers and improving public parking, said DMF spokeswoman Catherine Williams.
Part of the money will go toward complying with the new federal requirements for collecting catch statistics and another portion will go to improving recreational fisheries management, science, education and outreach, Williams said.
Anglers do not need to register for the federal license if they are under 16 years of age; pay to fish on a licensed charter, party or guide boat; already fish commercially under a valid license; or hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling permit or subsistence grant. Other regulations may apply.
To get a license go to http://countmyfish.noaa.gov and click on the Angler Registry link, or call the toll-free registration line at 1-888-674-7411 from 4 a.m. to 12 midnight daily. Callers give their name, date of birth, address and telephone number, and get a registration number that allows them to begin fishing immediately.
They will receive a registration card by mail within 30 days."
Always felt the freedom we American's like when headed down to the ocean with rod in hand and free to fish.
