New Federal saltwater fishing permits

[macado]

New federal law [Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization of 2006, Saltwater Angler Registry Final Rule - NOAA Fisheries] requires most saltwater recreational fishermen to be documented in 2010. Massachusetts fishermen will be required to register with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). However, recently enacted state law, “An Act Instituting Saltwater Fishing Licenses”, enables MarineFisheries to build and implement a permitting program for 2011 and beyond that will exempt the Commonwealth’s saltwater recreational anglers from the federal registry. The new state law triggers a transition from the federal registry in 2010 to the state’s marine recreational fishing permit program in 2011.

Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries: Recreational Fishing - Salt Water Fishing Derby
https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/

Looks like Massachusetts residents have to register for a saltwater fishing permit in 2010. It's free this year however I believe next year they're going to charge money.

Do you think this effects scuba divers at all? Especially for spearfishing for flounder. I registered just in case.

 

[yak]

New federal law [Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization of 2006, Saltwater Angler Registry Final Rule - NOAA Fisheries] requires most saltwater recreational fishermen to be documented in 2010. Massachusetts fishermen will be required to register with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). However, recently enacted state law, “An Act Instituting Saltwater Fishing Licenses”, enables MarineFisheries to build and implement a permitting program for 2011 and beyond that will exempt the Commonwealth’s saltwater recreational anglers from the federal registry. The new state law triggers a transition from the federal registry in 2010 to the state’s marine recreational fishing permit program in 2011.

Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries: Recreational Fishing - Salt Water Fishing Derby
https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/

Looks like Massachusetts residents have to register for a saltwater fishing permit in 2010. It's free this year however I believe next year they're going to charge money.

Do you think this effects scuba divers at all? Especially for spearfishing for flounder. I registered just in case.

Thanks for the heads up. I just registered. I'd hate to have a few doormats in the bag and find out the hard way that I need a license.

 

[AfterDark]

Doesn't affect me. I'm not getting one. I paid for a lobster license. The Feds can pound sand.

 

[macado]

Doesn't affect me. I'm not getting one. I paid for a lobster license. The Feds can pound sand.

Hmm. Has nothing to do with lobster, just fishing as far as I understand. If you're not fishing (I don't know if spearing for flounder applies) then you probably don't need to work.

 

[AfterDark]

I'll be fishing for sure. I think it also includes spearfishing. The sales pitch for this new tax was to collect information about the number and types of fish caught by recreational anglers. The information will be used to save the fish whatever that entails. I can tell them for free how many and what kinds of fish I catch. If they think I'm going to pay them for the "privilege" of giving them information they are mistaken. There is no legal base for this fee, tax...the feds have no authority to do enact such a law. Here in RI our state Constitution guarantees every RI citizen the right to free access to the ocean and all waterways within the state. I intend to keep that right. I don't need to buy it.