Starting January 1, 2010 all anglers who fish in federal waters or target or catch anadromous species such as shad, striped bass or river herring must register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Since we could catch a striped bass at any time, this means all of us.
This can be done on line at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov (http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov) starting on January 1. Registration is FREE in 2010.
Of course this probably means registration will not be free in coming years. Let's call a new tax just what it is once it finally arrives.
You will find a paper with information when you receive your renewal for the Potomac River Fisheries Commission license for 2010.
I received my Potomac Fisheries renewal and the flyer was inside. They ought to offer a boat registration like the license. Makes it real difficult if you have someone along fishing water that would require the registration, and that individula wasn't aware. Also restircts a boater from taking people along for a single day of fishing. I think it's a total assinine decision, isn't purchasing the fishing license enough or don't the agencies exchange information? Boneheaded bureaucrat has to be at the bottom of this one.
The reason they are pushing it is that the science being applied to catch rates is very imperfect and the size and season limits in salt water are out of order for the biomass. With the registrations they will use this info to poll salt water fisherman to get more accurate data on catch rates.
Oh, and then, of course, they'll use it to take money out of our wallets...
Once they start to charge a fee, all border states will require a salt water license (many do already) to keep the fees in state. A state license will exempt you from federal registration since they will report up. The Potomac Tidal license is eligible to do that if they wanted to, but it does not appear that they are.
Great. Still think it's boneheaded. So they get to polll anglers? Isn't that like akin to telemarketing? They going to call me? Send a letter? What freaking penalty will I have to pay if I ignore them? Do they really think eveyone that registers will respond positively to an inquiry regarding anything related to the obnoxious registration? Will they want to know how many of a particual species I caught? What, now I have to keep a log? BONEHEADS! They cannot possibly obtain more accurate information from this type of program, this is not grounded in reality, pure fantasy............. OH now I get it - the NEW FANTASY FISHING! Pillager probably had a lot to do with this. I'll register ONLY because I'll need it to fish for Stripers, or tidal water, but I won't respond to any polls.
The downside of this of course, some anglers may choose to avoid fishing waters requiring the registration, leading to a loss of revenue to Authorities issuing fishing licenses/permits like Potomac Fisheries and the States sharing tidal water, resulting in less information available due to less registered fishermen to poll (once they start CHARGING for the registration). Those revenues go towards improving the fishery, a noble cause and it would be a shame to see any reduction in those revenues, not to mention any impact on local business that may be negatively affected because less fishermen are active in their area. Tackle shops, resturants, gas stations, motels, the list is endless. Not to mention the decline in particapation in the BBC ralleys on the Northeast and Potomac Rivers. B O N E H E A D S can't see beyond their own noses or maybe they have another agenda - eliminate the recreational fisherman and let the commercial guys have all the fish.
oh don't worry, your log book is real easy. we all know what's in it already.
Quote from: bassboogieman on December 06, 2009, 02:56:16 AM
Great. Still think it's boneheaded. So they get to polll anglers? Isn't that like akin to telemarketing? They going to call me? Send a letter? What freaking penalty will I have to pay if I ignore them? Do they really think eveyone that registers will respond positively to an inquiry regarding anything related to the obnoxious registration? Will they want to know how many of a particual species I caught? What, now I have to keep a log? BONEHEADS! They cannot possibly obtain more accurate information from this type of program, this is not grounded in reality, pure fantasy............. OH now I get it - the NEW FANTASY FISHING! Pillager probably had a lot to do with this. I'll register ONLY because I'll need it to fish for Stripers, or tidal water, but I won't respond to any polls.
The downside of this of course, some anglers may choose to avoid fishing waters requiring the registration, leading to a loss of revenue to Authorities issuing fishing licenses/permits like Potomac Fisheries and the States sharing tidal water, resulting in less information available due to less registered fishermen to poll (once they start CHARGING for the registration). Those revenues go towards improving the fishery, a noble cause and it would be a shame to see any reduction in those revenues, not to mention any impact on local business that may be negatively affected because less fishermen are active in their area. Tackle shops, resturants, gas stations, motels, the list is endless. Not to mention the decline in particapation in the BBC ralleys on the Northeast and Potomac Rivers. B O N E H E A D S can't see beyond their own noses or maybe they have another agenda - eliminate the recreational fisherman and let the commercial guys have all the fish.
they will most likely run it like the migratory bird stamps for hunting. when you get the licence, they ask you how many times you went hunting, how many geese and how many ducks you shot. i dont know anyone that answers truthfully. my answers usually 5, 10+, 3-5.
so dont worry boogs, no ones calling ya.
Actually, it does say something about contacting you...
Quote from: Pillager on December 06, 2009, 01:22:54 PM
oh don't worry, your log book is real easy. we all know what's in it already.
Brucie boy, this one should be real easy for you to remember..... :19: just put in the same number you do for gas used when you re=register your boat
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