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National Federal Registry / Saltwater License News

36K views 41 replies 13 participants last post by  Striperjim 
#1 ·
it is now official and you are required to register.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed a rule, required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), that would establish the National Saltwater Angler Registry. The purpose of the registry is to provide NOAA with catch data from saltwater anglers who fish in federal waters so that marine fish stocks can be managed sustainably.
The registry will enable the federal government to identify more accurately who is fishing and what they're catching. The data generated by the registry will ultimately provide NOAA with the crucial information it needs to better allocate marine fisheries resources to recreational saltwater anglers.
Beginning in January 2009, recreational anglers who fish in federal waters are required to register each year with NOAA Fisheries Service. The proposed rule also requires registration by those who may catch anadromous species such as salmon, striped bass, and shad in rivers and streams where they spawn.
Anglers may be exempt from federal registration if they fish in a state that already has a program in place to account for all of its saltwater anglers. The proposed rule outlines possible exemptions for states that have a comprehensive saltwater fishing license or a regional angler survey program approved by NOAA Fisheries. In addition, anglers fishing from licensed for-hire vessels and anglers under the age of 16 are exempt from registering.
Federal registration will be free for the first two years. A fee of $15-25 will be levied beginning in 2011. Fees collected through the federal registry will go to the U.S. Treasury, and are not required to go back to the resource. (i have said this all along that if we did not get our own state licensce this would happen!>Fees collected in states exempt from the federal registry will be used as each state sees fit. NOAA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule until August 11, 2008. A final rule based on all comments received is expected in November 2008 with the requirement going into effect January 1, 2009. Visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov for more information.
Here is a link to submit any concerns and suggestions and please refrain from any profanities as we are a civil and upstanding component of society and not a bunch of hooples collectively dismantling our ecosytem as some would portray us in any and or all conservation venues. http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=0900006480620f04
i am dissappointed the state didn;t act on this sensitive issue and get ahead of the curve as i discribed it to a tee. as now we get nothing in return for our buck. perhaps a state licence will now (if available to us after this notice? i don't know yet at this juncture) save the monies from the fed. gov't and keep it in our own pot for what that's worth.
 
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#5 ·
Re: national federal registry

This is ridiculous. I can understand the NOAA wanting to know what is being taken by saltwater anglers but it seems to me the more people that register the Government is probably like everything else see a revenue stream.
 
#6 ·
Recreational saltwater anglers now have a little more time before they are required to register under a new federal rule.
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service, the federal agency that manages fishing, announced Tuesday its final rule to help create a saltwater angler registry by 2010.
The announcement comes after agency officials reviewed the hundreds of comments it received from fishermen since it announced the proposed plan for the registry in June.
The rule requires that recreational saltwater fishermen be included in the national registry by 2010. Its proposed rule last summer had required registration by next month, but after public comment, the federal agency decided to allow another year for states to get their data collection systems in place.
”It gives us 12 months now. It'll save a lot of confusion for the public wondering how they are supposed to comply in the coming year,” said David Simpson, the director of the state's marine fisheries division.
The purpose of the registry, officials said, is to conduct more complete surveys and collect more accurate data on the amounts of fish caught and the size of fish stocks.
”Better national surveys of the more than 15 million saltwater anglers will help us demonstrate the important contributions of recreational anglers to both local economies and to the nation's,” Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service, said in a news release.
Fishermen will be required to register annually, carry a certificate when fishing and pay a fee, likely to be no more than $25 under the federal rule. The fee would not be collected until 2011.
Saltwater fishermen who register with state fishing agencies would be exempt from registering with federal agencies. State agencies would supply information from their registries to the national registry.
Ct. State marine fishing officials expect to testify before the state legislature during the next session as the group works to get the state's version of the registry requirement in place.
If the legislature implements its version of the registry rule for saltwater fishing, Connecticut anglers would have to begin paying the fee when they are required to register starting in 2010.
By registering with the state, the money collected from the fees would be kept in Connecticut instead of being collected into the federal pot where the funds could be used for various projects.
”The logic naturally is if you pay a fee, you'd want to keep the money local rather than send it to the general treasury,” Simpson said.
All recreational anglers who fish in federal waters will be required to register, according to NOAA. Anglers must register if they fish in tidal waters for migratory fish, such as striped bass and salmon, that spawn in rivers and spend their adult lives in estuaries and oceans.
However, anglers who fish recreationally for migratory fish inland of tidal waters would not have to register.
Anglers who fish on licensed party or charter boats, have permits to fish for highly migratory species, such as tuna, or are 16 years old or younger would be exempt under the federal rule. Most of the 23 coastal states already have a license program for saltwater fishing. Only Hawaii and the states stretching from New Jersey to Maine don't require a permit
 
#8 ·
Re: Saltwater License News

Maine Dept of Marine resources plans to submit a bill to the legislature in January to create a saltwater licensing system the agency's deputy commissioner, David Etnier said Tuesday
 
#10 ·
Re: Saltwater License News

Once anglers have registered, they may fish anywhere in U.S. federal waters, or in tidal waters for anadromous species, regardless of the region or regions they specified in their registration. The registration will be valid for one year from its date of issue. Anglers must comply with applicable state licensing requirements when fishing in state waters.
Saltwater anglers will be able to register online or by calling a toll-free telephone number that will be publicized, and will receive a registration certificate. Anglers will need to carry this certificate (or their state license from an exempt state) and produce it to an authorized enforcement officer if requested.
No fee will be charged in 2010.
An estimated fee of $15 to $25 per angler will be charged starting in 2011.
Anglers who fish only on licensed party, charter, or guide boats would not be required to register with NOAA since these vessels are surveyed separately from angler surveys. Those who hold angler permits to fish for highly migratory species, such as tunas or swordfish, and those fishing under commercial fishing licenses will also be exempt. Anglers registered or permitted to fish in a formal state or federal subsistence fishery will also be exempt, as will anglers under 16.
NOAA received nearly 500 comments from anglers, state officials, and fishing and environmental organizations on its proposed national registry rule during the comment period from June 12 until Aug. 21. The registry is one component of the agency's new Marine Recreational Information Program, an initiative to enhance data collection on recreational catch and effort.
To read the final registry rule and other information about the Marine Recreational Information Program, go to: http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov
 
#12 ·
New York State
Bureau of Marine Resources Council
http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/796.html
NYSDEC
Bureau of Marine Resources
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York 11733
631-444-0430

email us

A marine recreational fishing license discussion group was constituted in 2003 and recently reconstituted to continue its discussion of the pros and cons of a New York State marine recreational fishing license program in light of the impending federal registry program. That group's most recent discussions identified five issues that were key in formulating a state license program. These issues are:
  1. License Cost - A little more than half the group felt that annual cost should be $4 - $10; a bit less than half thought the cost should be higher, enough to generate a revenue stream sufficient to improve or enhance DEC's marine resources management program, especially since the fee, once instituted, would likely not be increased for a long time.
  2. Exemptions to the license requirement - Native Americans, under the age of 16, military personnel, handicapped military, and handicapped (blind only). A discount might be given to seniors and there is a recommendation for party/charter boats that just the boat would require a license, not each angler aboard.
  3. Accountability - License revenues must go to a dedicated, secure fund and be used for the benefit of marine resources only. The consensus was that the existing Marine Resources Account is the best depository. There should also be some kind of control committee overseeing the expenditures of license revenues.
  4. Reciprocity - It was agreed to honor what the adjacent states offer to New York marine anglers.
  5. Availability - There was concern about the surge of people applying for a license all in the month of January; DEC is working on a web-based license procurement system and increasing the number of sales offices to help ease the transition.
Councilor Danielson thought the Council should have the opportunity to fine tune how some of these issues are handled before any licensing proposals goes further. Mr. Gilmore stated that the saltwater license proposal will be developed as a Departmental bill, ready for public comment.

____________________________________________________________________________

In New York, management of marine fisheries is the joint responsibility of the New York State Legislature and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The Legislature authorizes DEC to manage certain aspects of our marine fisheries by regulation and retains sole responsibility for other aspects of marine fisheries management. The Legislature can rescind or expand DEC's regulatory authority and may pass a bill that supersedes any specific regulation. Of course, if the Legislature passes a bill, that bill must still be signed into law by the Governor before it can take effect.
All legislation being considered by the State Legislature (not just in marine fisheries or marine environmental issues, but in all issues of interest to the state) can be accessed through the World Wide Web Sites maintained by the New York State Senate (www.senate.state.ny.us) and the New York State Assembly (www.assembly.state.ny.us). The text of each bill is available, as is (usually) its legislative history and bill memo, which explains the reason(s) why the bill sponsor(s) think it is a good idea. Either site can be searched by bill number or by keyword (e.g., bluefish or "marine fisheries."
Also available through the these two web sites is the text of the Laws of New York, including the Environmental Conservation Law and its several articles dealing with marine fisheries and marine resources, generally.​
 
#13 ·
The State of Delaware will institute a system using what is called a fin number that went into effect Jan. 1. This number is added to the license for purposes of data recovery for the NMFS
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/News/...siteAvailableforAnglerstoObtainFINNumber.aspx
Once all Delaware fishermen have obtained a F.I.N. number and the National Marine Fisheries Service has a copy of Delaware's saltwater angler registry, Delaware will be exempt from the federal marine recreational fishing registry and future federal registry charges.

The state has also has added this clause to their license that was instituted beginning in 2008, something that other state legislatures should take a hard look at especially if they want to be re-elected.

Surf Fishing Permit - Residents and non-residents are exempt from fishing license requirements if they are the operator of a vehicle with a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit when that vehicle is located on a designated Delaware State Park beach. Other occupants of that vehicle are required to have a fishing license if they are fishing.

A fishing license now covers both fresh and tidal waters, and for the first time, Delaware residents and non-residents fishing tidal waters must be licensed. License cost is the same for residents ($8.50) as in years past, whether fishing fresh or tidal waters, but costs more for non-residents who will fish either.

 
#14 ·
I don't tell the DEC now what I catch, there is no way I will tell the Feds what I catch. If they expect to gather reliable information they are sadly mistaken.
And the fishing license fees will go to general cofers instead of fish management.
Seems to be just a money stream and they don't care about the fisheries at all.
 
#16 ·
one more time to post for new york



According to the Fishermen's Conservation Association, there is now a bill in the New York legislature that would implement the saltwater license called for by Gov. David Paterson earlier in the year. Fortunately, the effective date of Oct. 1 leaves time for debate about the provisions.

Senate bill S13-0355 calls for the same $19 resident and $40 non-resident licenses, but stipulates that the funds will go into a saltwater account within the Conservation Fund and be used only for marine purposes. There are also provisions for short-term licenses (seven days at $12 a resident and $25 for a non-resident, or $5 for one day), but nothing is mentioned about group licenses for party and charter boats to cover their customers.

There is also a provision for reciprocity with neighboring states.
 
#17 ·
N.Y. licenses set for next year

by Al Ristori/For The Star-Ledger
Thursday April 09, 2009, 8:58 PM

Anglers will be able to fish in New York this year without a license, but all that will change on Jan. 1, 2010, when the Empire State imposes a saltwater fishing license that was approved this week as part of Gov. David Paterson's budget proposal.

Fred Golofaro, managing editor of The Fisherman, has been keeping track of the New York license saga from his office in Shirley, Long Island, and he got word Wednesday of the Senate approving the legislation already passed in the Assembly. Fortunately, the effective date was pushed back to Jan. 1, and the fees lowered.

Residents will pay only $10 for an annual license, instead of the $19 originally proposed. The non-resident charge is way down from $40 to $15, and there's also a $10 seven-day license or a daily fee of $5. Vessels for hire will be charged an additional $450 on top of the fee they're already paying in order to cover their passengers.

Golofaro said there is a reciprocal provision with neighboring states, but he calls it a gray area at present and believes it will only apply to states that have saltwater licenses.

New York fishermen had set up a committee to perfect a reasonable saltwater license that would also satisfy the federal registration requirement. Gov. Paterson ignored their recommendations in his original budget proposal, and wanted the saltwater funds placed in the Wildlife Management Fund where the new funding could be used for unrelated fresh water and forest purposes. The Legislature restored the essential portions, and included a Marine Resources Account within the Wildlife Conservation Fund.

Yet, Golofaro was informed that the governor has already declared the saltwater funds coming in next year will be used to pay for presently unfounded positions in the Department of Environmental Conservation rather than for the launching ramps, piers, etc., that license advocates were expecting.

That's fair warning to New Jersey anglers if a saltwater license is proposed here. Gov. Jon Corzine has made it clear that he won't observe legislative dedication of a tax in the present battle over arts funding. Only a constitutional amendment would safeguard license monies from politicians. Check my daily blog at nj.com/shore/blogs/fishing for updates on this as well as the fishing outlook.

http://www.nj.com/shore/blogs/fishin...next_year.html
 
#19 ·
"Gov. Paterson ignored their recommendations in his original budget proposal, and wanted the saltwater funds placed in the Wildlife Management Fund where the new funding could be used for unrelated fresh water and forest purposes. The Legislature restored the essential portions, and included a Marine Resources Account within the Wildlife Conservation Fund.

Yet, Golofaro was informed that the governor has already declared the saltwater funds coming in next year will be used to pay for presently unfounded positions in the Department of Environmental Conservation rather than for the launching ramps, piers, etc., that license advocates were expecting."

So essentially the saltwater license money will fund Bureaucracy? I can't imagine the Governor of NY using the money to hire more DEM Officers. Things generally don't work out that way.
 
#20 ·
We sell licenses at the the store I work at here in CT. If you don't live here you might not know that the CT DEP changed to a electronic format of selling licenses. Which means places that wanted to sell a license had to shell out 3 or 4 grand to install the computer. Many baitshops and municipalities didn't have the money for this so buying a licenses is limited to bigger stores and towns. Anyway today I noticed that there is now a $10 marine fishing license in sales which is dated 6/15/09. Maybe I'm out of the loop but I had heard that the idea was kicking around I didn't know it was a definite for this year.
 
#21 ·
... for a better chance to be seen.

Starting June 15th, 2009 Saltwater Lisc. will be required in the state of CT.
$10.00 resident
$15.00 non-resident

Perhaps I'm stupid,,, but it's sounding to me since there is a "non-resident" that lisc. will not be reciprocating between the states.

One more time,,, how will state lisc. be better than federal? :icon_cool2:
Never mind... I already knew. :cwm10:

Let's see, next year;
RI
CT
NY
MA

Hmmm, gonna be expensive to take the family fishing.
$200.00 for a family of 4? :thu:
Remember, originally the Feds wanted to do this for $15-$25 per year. For the ENTIRE (fish anywhere) country.
The procedes were to enhance fishing capitol / programs to individual states according to usage.
Lord only knows what our local saviors have in mind.

Anouther freedom bites the dust. :yay:
 
#22 ·
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.

States requiring saltwater Licenses
 
#23 ·
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 www.countmyfish.noaa.gov
or call toll free 888-674-7411.

Registration is free in 2010.
 
#24 ·
Recreational saltwater fishermen will need to register if they:

Hold a license from one of 10 coastal states or territories which do not currently have comprehensive saltwater angler license or registration requirements-Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Fish for or are likely to catch anadromous species in tidal and salt waters; these are fish like river herring, shad, smelt and striped bass that live in the oceans but spawn in fresh water,

OR

Fish in the federal waters more than three miles from the ocean shore or from the mouths of rivers or bays.

Some anglers don't have to register if they:

Hold a license from one of 15 coastal states with comprehensive licensing or registration - Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington;

Are not required under state law in one of these 15 states to hold a fishing license as is sometimes the case with seniors or active-duty military;
Are under age 16;

Pay to fish on licensed charter, party or guide boats;

Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling permit or subsistence fishing permit;
Fish commercially under a valid license.

National Saltwater Angler registration is free in 2010. To register beginning Friday, anglers can visit NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program and click on the Angler Registry link, or call the toll-free registration line at 1-888-MRIP411 (1-888-674-7411) from 4:00 am to 12 midnight EST daily.

Anglers will need to provide their name, date of birth, address and telephone number, and will receive a registration number that will allow them to begin fishing immediately. They will receive a registration card in the mail in about 30 days.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20091229_registry.html

Here is a site with flyer information for the States who's recreational fishermen must register:

http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/outreach.html
 
#25 ·
Subject: Angler Registry Launches Jan 1

Thought you would appreciate NOAA's formal announcement on the launch of the angler registry...
Please feel free to contact me with any questions in the office at 301-713-9501.
Forbes

__________________________________
To register, go to: http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/

NATIONAL SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY OPENS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY

New program, part of improved data collection system, to help protect nation's ocean resources

Saltwater recreational fishermen have long expressed concerns about the data used to estimate the effects of recreational fishing on ocean resources and the nation's economy. The National Saltwater Angler Registry, which launches on Friday, will help address that concern by providing a comprehensive list of the nation's saltwater anglers that will be used to improve surveys of fishermen. These surveys are used by NOAA scientists to assess the health of fish stocks and to estimate the economic contributions of anglers.

Many saltwater recreational fishermen will be required to register before fishing in 2010. The registry is open for registrations starting Friday, January 1. But if you have a state saltwater fishing license, you may already be part of the registry.

"Registering, recreational anglers will make their catch count," said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service. "The National Saltwater Angler Registry is an important tool that will enable us to better estimate the health of marine fisheries so that we're able to preserve the pastime of recreational saltwater fishing for generations to come."

"Recreational fishers need the registry," says Capt. Monty Hawkins, a party boat operator and recreational fishing advocate based in Ocean City, Md. "People's lives depend on the quality of the government's information. It's the basis for management decisions on everything from creel limits to whether to shut down whole sections of the coast. I've been harshly critical of recreational fishing data in the past, but I welcome the registry as a way to improve upon the current system."

Gordon Colvin, a biologist with NOAA's Fisheries Service and interim senior policy advisor on recreational fishing to Balsiger, who has spearheaded the registry implementation, said that many anglers will not need to take any action to register, because their coastal states already have agreements in place with NOAA to share state saltwater fishing license information.

WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER:

Recreational saltwater fishermen will need to register if they:

• Fish in one of 10 coastal states or territories which do not currently have comprehensive saltwater angler license or registration requirements­Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Fish for or are likely to catch anadromous species in tidal and salt waters; these are fish like river herring, shad, smelt and striped bass that live in the oceans but spawn in fresh water, OR

• Fish in the federal waters more than three miles from the ocean shore or from the mouths of rivers or bays

WHO DOESN'T NEED TO REGISTER

Some anglers don't have to register if they:

• Hold a valid license from one of 15 coastal states with comprehensive licensing or registration ­ Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington;

• Are not required under state law in one of these 15 states to hold a fishing license as is sometimes the case with seniors or active-duty military;

• Are under age 16;

• Pay to fish on licensed charter, party or guide boats;

• Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling permit or subsistence fishing permit (others fishing aboard may have to register);

• Fish commercially under a valid license.

National Saltwater Angler registration is free in 2010. To register beginning Friday, anglers can visit http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov and click on the Register link, or call the toll-free registration line at 1-888-MRIP-411 (1-888-674-7411) from 4:00 am to 12 midnight EST daily.

Anglers will need to provide their name, date of birth, address and telephone number, and will receive a registration number that will allow them to begin fishing immediately. They will receive a registration card in the mail in about 30 days.

Steve Medeiros, executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and a leading advocate for a saltwater fishing license in his state, said the registry is an important step. "While it's true that some fishermen don't like the idea of having to register to participate in a sport they've taken for granted their whole lives, anyone fishing today knows that increasing pressures on the ocean are having a real effect," he said. "If we're going to pass the sport down to our children and grandchildren, we're going to need sound management based on good data."

The registry will be used as the basis for conducting surveys of saltwater recreational fishermen to find out how often they fish. It will eventually replace the use of random-digit dialing to coastal households, a system NOAA has had in place since the 1970s. The goal is to improve survey efficiency and reduce bias by making calls only to homes where people fish, and reaching saltwater anglers who live outside coastal counties.

While the registry is among the most visible aspects of NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program, it is only one component of this rigorous multi-year, multi-phased overhaul of the system NOAA uses to collect and report recreational fishing data. Each piece of its design and implementation has been guided by close working relationships among NOAA personnel, fisheries managers, state partners, independent scientists and the recreational fishing community.

Recreational fishermen should also remember that regardless of whether an individual is registered with NOAA, they must obey all state regulations and licensing requirements where they are fishing.
 
#26 ·
There is a problem with zip codes that start with 0. A possible solution is to type in 99999 and let the system self correct to the town you type in later. Of course there may also be a problem for those towns with more than one zip code starting with 0. There is also the 1-888-674-7411 solution.
 
#27 ·
Check out the violation schedule for not having a fishery permit.
(Not registering)
The northeast - first offense. $5000 to $80,000

http://www.gc.noaa.gov/schedules/2-USFisheries/NortheastCAPS.pdf

19) What is the penalty for not registering?

Penalties will vary, depending upon the circumstances of a specific situation. You may view the penalty schedule used by Law Enforcement personnel as guidance in assessing and seeking penalties for violation of the registration requirement at: http://www.gc.noaa.gov/enforce-office3.html
 
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