Gone Fishin' : Saltwater fishing license looms in legislature
Legislation to create a long talked about Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing license is expected to be filed soon. Fishermen best pay attention to the legislative process.
The best scenario would be a license that provides the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) with important economic and catch data, and a dedicated stream of funding to support recreational fishing interests.
The worst scenario would be the creation of an office where useless state employees who are immune from the realities of the private sector get shunted to live out their days, and the money generated by a license is used as a reason to further reduce the DMF operating budget.
State fisheries managers and some fishermen have talked about a license for years. But the idea never got very far.
A poorly organized 1986 effort died on Beacon Hill after intense criticism from recreational fishing interests.
More than 12 years ago Paul Diodati, then manager of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) sport fisheries program and now its director, had the unenviable task of selling the benefits of a saltwater license to sport fishermen around the state. He encountered strong criticism from fishermen who viewed any license as an assault on their freedom to fish and a funding mechanism for an expanded marine fisheries bureaucracy. The proposal sank like a lead weight.
Then the Feds made the states a deal, as the Godfather said, that they could not refuse - you do it or we do it.
In December 2008 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its final rule to establish a national saltwater angler registry of all marine recreational fishermen.
"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," said Jim Balsiger, NOAA acting assistant administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service in a press release. "The registry will help us gather comprehensive data to ensure sustainable fisheries built on the best available science."
The final rule requires anglers and spearfishers who fish recreationally in federal waters to be included in the national saltwater angler registry by Jan. 1, 2010. NOAA will exempt anglers from the federal registration rule if they are licensed in states that have a system to provide complete information on their saltwater anglers to the national registry.
DMF began taking steps to implement a saltwater license last spring. In comments at that time, Paul Diodati said that a state-issued license would maintain division control over regulations and licensing fees.
DMF invited representatives of the recreational fishing community, including tackle shop owners, charter captains, and fishing organization representatives to sit on a 24-member recreational registry steering committee to provide input on a state-issued license.
Ed Jerome of Edgartown, president of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby and former Edgartown School principal is a member of the committee.
Ed told me the committee has reached consensus on the details of a license and has sought the support of lawmakers and fisheries officials for the legislation needed to turn the recommendations into law.
The committee made four basic recommendations outlined in a letter dated June 1 addressed to Mark Amorello, chairman of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission:
The creation of a dedicated fund, the committee said, is critical to gaining public support. Public support will be needed and that will only come if the public is assured that license revenues will be dedicated to improving recreational saltwater fishing opportunities.
The license fees must be used to support new activities and not be used to replace existing funding or future appropriations to DMF, the committee said. And at least one-third would be used to fund public access improvements for recreational fishermen.
The committee recommended the creation of a new marine recreational fisheries development panel to advise the director on fishing improvement programs.
And it recommended state license reciprocity from boat and shore for other states such as Rhode Island and New Hampshire that provide similar privileges to Massachusetts license holders.
Ed said the committee does not want the cost of a license, most likely $15 or $20, to be a barrier to anyone who wants to go fishing, but that it would generate enough money to benefit recreational fishermen. Youngsters and seniors would be exempt, he said.
Once the legislation is drafted and filed it will be an important issue to watch.
With heavy hearts
The Island fishing community was struck numb by the news that Dave and Terri Pothier lost their beloved daughter Jena in a Thursday night automobile accident.
Jena was an honor student who had just completed her freshman year in college. In 2000 she finished third in the junior boat bonito category, no small accomplishment.
Dave is a long-time member of the Derby committee and Oak Bluffs Harbor committee. When I served on the Derby with Dave I came to appreciate his humor and wit.
He and Terri have suffered a devastating loss. If such a loss can be made bearable in any small way it will be because of the support of family, friends and community.
I know I speak for many in the fishing community when I say how very sorry I was to hear that sad news. Our sympathies and prayers go out to Dave and Terri.
State adds catch-and-release category
For the past 30 years, the Division of Marine Fisheries has sponsored a saltwater fishing derby. Over the course of the Derby, Islanders have accounted for many of the winning fish.
That was true in 2008 when Tim Broderick of Chilmark set a new state record with an 8-pound, 6-ounce king mackerel he caught at Lucas Shoals in September and Wyatt Jenkinson of Chilmark topped the junior division with a 6-pound, 13-ounce bonito.
This month DMF announced that it has added a catch-and-release category to keep pace with the growing trend of sport fishing. "While previously anglers were required to harvest and weigh in their fish, the new format will allow anglers who don't want to keep their fish a chance to showcase their angling skills," said DMF in a press release.
The fish needs to meet or exceed a minimum qualifying length in order to be considered for a catch-and-release certificate. Six species are eligible for the catch-and-release category: bluefish (35 inches), cod (42 inches), false albacore (26 inches), fluke (24 inches), striped bass (45 inches) and winter flounder (19 inches).
Measure the fish to the nearest half-inch and submit a clear photo of the fish next to a visible tape measure. (Maybe that is what Greg Skomal was doing to the basking shark on Moshup Beach last week.)
The fisherman who submits the longest fish for one of the six species categories will be presented a special award at a ceremony next winter. Anyone who catches four different species that meet the minimum length requirement will be considered for the Grand Slam Award - an honor given to the fisherman with the highest total cumulative length of any four species entered, according to DMF.
For more information on the annual Saltwater Fishing Derby, go to: mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/recreationalfishing.
Fishing through economic blues
Despite the sluggish economy and cutbacks in consumer spending, there are strong indications that recreational angling remains one of the largest outdoor recreational activities in the nation as well as one of the most solid industries in the United States.
So says a report from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), a sportfishing industry trade association. I believe it. Just look at the boats off West Chop on a Sunday morning or the people lined up along Lobsterville Beach.
The report said that annually, nearly 40 million anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than one million people.
According to ASA, a sample survey of state fish and wildlife agencies indicates that 2009 fishing license sales are up 11 percent in the first quarter (January - March) compared with the first quarter of 2008. Additionally, there are strong indications that sales in the second quarter will be stronger in 2009 than in 2008.
"In times of economic stress, many people turn to simple, outdoor pursuits that are easy to do, are close to home, are not expensive and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family," said Jeff Pontius, president, ZEBCO Brands and ASA board chairman.
The report also provided some interesting statistics. For example, the three states with the most anglers are Florida (2.77 million), Texas (2.52 million), and California (1.73 million). The top three states in terms of jobs supported by sportfishing are Florida (75,100), Texas (59,000), and Minnesota (43,100). One out of every three anglers fishes for largemouth bass, America's most popular game fish. Flounder is the most-targeted saltwater fish. Twenty-five percent of anglers are women; and nearly half of all anglers are between 35 and 54 years of age.
