saltwater fishing license??

[scottw]

hey, last fall I was out plugging in a big storm and one of them actually hoofed it all the way out to the point where I was fishing to suggest that I go home because several tourists had driven by and seen me and apparently phoned their concern for my safety in to the authorities...geez, I didn't think they ever got out of the vehicals...been fishing on that spot since I was 8 and been out there in much worse conditions and we didn't have Korkers back then...just Keds ...do gooders w/ cell phones I suppose.....the first time my dad took me out there when I was little I had no rain gear so he taped garbage bags over me...I had a blast...probably get arrested for child abuse for something like that these days..

[jj_turbo]

Ok, hope that attached, if not I will send it again. This document was sent to me on NOAA letterhead but cannot be attached due to its size in either word or PDF format. I can provide a copy via e-mail if anyone wants to see the original. I heard about this a while ago and it has got me pretty bothered. When we freshwater fish we buy a license to support the hatcheries, stock the ponds, grow the fish that are being stocked, etc. Growing up I have always thought of myself as a pretty responsible angler, take only what you are going to eat, and I end up throwing most of the big stuff back anyway. Having been pretty closely involved in the fishing industry since the mid 80's (charter boat mate, captain, and avid recreational angler) I have seen this conservation first hand. But what is this salt water license going to really do for for the saltwater fishery? This is not just a bass license, it is required for all saltwater species. Everyone who wants to fish for anything is going to have to have one. Living on the CT coast, working in newport and still having stong ties to the cape, I run back and forth between ct, ny, ri, and ma. So now I have to have 4? I''m sure at the cost of $20-$25 a piece will be thought of as reasonable. None of this $$ is going to go back into the system! All it is going to do is pay for more state/government people to create another no-tanglible end result product that will really do nothing. Can someone think of 5 major contributions that will benefit from an influx of $$ like this? Patrolling? You finally get out to your spot, and now someone is waving a flash light at you telling you to come in because they want to see your license. SAme thing in a boat. The moring or evening is perfect on your one day off in two weeks , tide is just right, it has got that 'big bass' feel to it (even if you don't get one for the record books , it was still a joy to have the opportunity to be out there on that perfect morning when all the stars have alighned to let you go) You creap into your spot and are doing your thing and Mr Clam Cop in his 25' Parker comes steaming in, stops short and wants to see your fishing license.... This idea came from some big wig somewhere who's waterfront home view was being obstructed by somebody fishing, and he decided that this would be a great way to create cash flow to feed and fund the illegal imigrants for the gov't if he could force everyone of those people he saw out there on those boats to cough up another $20 apiece for the privledge. This $$ is going to pay for the 4+ dollar a gallon gas that Home land security is now comming up short on to put in the $100K+ Parker and Boston Whaler boats to patrol for the fluke and bass fishing terrorists that are inindating and infiltrating the inland estuaries of the northeast. Chom, this license is not going to stop a warden from giving people with small fish fines, or even approaching them. They should be doing that already, if not they are not doing their job. That warden/green police guy has the same authority as a state cop! Bottom line is all this is going to do is create one more thing that you have to have, and just put a little tighter squeeze on the pockets us honest people who are trying to stay on the right side of the regulations. Just another way to keep a kid from going fishing....

Some of this is my ranting, but what REALLY useful benefit / service is this licensing process going to provide? There should be a pretty good chunk of cash there from it. Where is it going to go? What tangible service / bennefit is going to be augmented by this? Has any of it been seen in writing? We are not providing food or stocking saltwater fish. There are currently wardens in place. I would enjoy reading any and everyone's point of view on this topic. Thanks for your time.

[cb2fly]

Look real closely, this is a tax.
After a few years, more data, more people, more costs -more $ for this, say from $10 to $15, $30 to $40, then higher- just like fresh water. It is the same with hunting License, car trailer boat etc. Out of state people even more $. They are taking something that should be a freedom and taxing it.
How about, use the money from the sales tax(which we already pay) on fishing equipment, boats etc.
Need data? - have everyone take a survey online for the data they "need", that is how they are going to do it any way.
It's just another tax.......
people got pissed over a Tea Tax in Boston

[patfly]

A saltwater license...
I'd pay for it but I'm not sure I see the purpose...will they use the funds to stock the Bay with stripers...or Tuna...lol...(they could modify their genetic so they deal with the "water" of the upper bay).

Will I need a license for each NE state?
Will I need to purchase a sticker to keep a keeper?

It's just another tax (I agree)...I'm from "Tax Country" (Canada) and I can recognize a tax when I see one. In a state (RI) with a budget crisis, they are going to tax everything that moves; they already have started.



Concerning the father-son event, it is a nice missed chance to teach something to the kid (like the father teaching his son about the value of truth citing great historical figures that stood their ground to defend it...and then take him to the movie place telling him .."make sure you tell the teller you're younger than 10 so we get the discount...")...

[scottw]

Yup, just another tax...from the time you turn on your lights in the morning till the time you turn off the water faucet and climb into bed....a tax on every move that you make each and every day.....

[cb2fly]

Other taxed items for salt water......
My tuna(HMS) permit, Clamming, mooring and lobster
And oversand , all are multi state and on and on.
cb

[basswipe]

The funds generated by the fed sw liscense will be put into the general treasury,according to the article I read in the Projo.