After several years of struggle, the Maine legislature appears to be poised to enact a free saltwater fishing registry, said Sen. David Trahan, whose bill to create the registry will go before a joint committee on April 7.
Historically, no license or registry has been required for recreational saltwater fishing. However, three years ago, the federal government enacted rules requiring states to provide data on who is fishing in saltwater.
The purpose of the registry is to gather information on how many people are fishing saltwater, how often they fish and what they are taking. This will help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration manage and rebuild fish stocks.
Under the federal order, if states fail to enact a license or registry, a federally controlled registry will take effect, and fishermen will be required to pay $15 to register for recreational saltwater fishing, Trahan said.
Many states instituted recreational saltwater fishing licenses in order to collect the data.
“From the beginning, I’ve been arguing for a free registry instead of a license,” Trahan said. For Maine’s tourism industry, “the more people that can fish for free the better,” Trahan said.
Saltwater, for these purposes, includes “anywhere within the rise and fall of the tide (up the rivers to head of tide), or from a Maine port” out 200 miles, according to the Dept. of Marine Resources website.
Beginning Jan. 1, DMR has been operating a recreational saltwater fishing registry. Fishermen under 16 years old are exempt from the requirement to register.
Recreational saltwater fishermen currently have several options: they may purchase a freshwater fishing license and check a box indicating that they fish saltwater as well; for non-residents and fishermen who do not hold a freshwater license, they may register for free with DMR to fish saltwater, but there is a $1 or $2 agent fee depending on how they register.
For fishermen who intend to fish for striped bass, an additional striped bass endorsement is required for many fishermen. Holders of freshwater licenses are not required to purchase a striped bass endorsement. The striped bass endorsement costs $5 for residents and $15 for non-residents.
Commercial saltwater fishermen have the option to check a box on their commercial license indicating that they fish recreationally for no extra charge.
If Trahan’s bill passes later this month, which he expects it will, there will be no state fees associated with recreational saltwater fishing, for residents or non-residents. The striped bass endorsement will also be removed.
Anyone who wants to fish saltwater will either buy a freshwater license and check a box indicating they fish saltwater, or register solely as a saltwater fisherman at no charge. Commercial fishermen will still be able to check a box on their commercial license indicating that they fish recreationally.
“Some places might charge a $1 or $2 registration free, but that’s for the dealer, not the state,” Trahan said.
For example, guests at a hotel with a dock in saltwater could register at the hotel for free – or for a small dealer fee charged by the hotel – which would allow them to fish off the dock. Trahan believes that simplifying the process and making it free will encourage out-of-town fishermen and families with children that want to fish to spend money on bait and tackle.
“If they have to find a dealer and buy a license, they might decide it’s not worth it,” Trahan said.
The Maine Dept. of Marine Resources has voiced their support for Trahan’s bill. Their endorsement represents a dramatic shift from their position on the issue in years past.
“We fought tooth and nail against each other last year,” Trahan said.
The DMR in previous years has been staunchly in favor of a saltwater fishing license, rather than the free registry.
However, Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has expressed their full support for a free registry, and this year DMR is behind Trahan’s bill.
Pat Keliher, acting Deputy Commissioner of the DMR, confirmed Trahan’s description of the past struggles.
“There is a different philosophy when it comes to fees,” Keliher said of the new administration. “[LePage] has made it very clear he wants to maintain DMR control” of the registry, but wants to provide the registry with as little cost to the public as possible.”
Under the previous administration, “the governor said to us, ‘You have some holes in your budget, why don’t you use [recreational saltwater fishing licenses] as a source of revenue,'” Keliher said. LePage’s administration asked DMR to provide a list of priorities and the costs of their current staff levels, “and told [DMR], ‘We’ll find a way to fund it,'” Keliher said.
“The Governor said he believes general fund money should be used to support these programs, not additional fees to the users,” Keliher said.
LePage’s communications director Dan Demeritt confirmed these statements reflect the Governor’s position on the issue.
In the coming weeks, the legislature will decide the form the registry will take.
“Nothing’s finalized yet,” Keliher said. “We’re just there to give advice and guidance.”
