A bill creating a free recreational saltwater fishing registry passed in the Senate with no objection. The bill is now awaiting a vote by the House of Representatives.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. David Trahan (R-Waldoboro), was pleased about the Senate passage, but concerned about delays in the House vote.
“It’s just about time for the saltwater fishing season to start,” Trahan said May 31. “Any further delay would be harmful.”
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 function of the registry is to gather information on recreational saltwater fishermen for the purpose of conducting surveys to find out how often they fish and what they are taking. This will help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration manage and rebuild fish stocks.
As of Jan. 1 of this year, the Dept. of Marine Resources 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. 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.
Under Trahan’s bill there would be no state fees associated with recreational saltwater fishing, for residents or non-residents. The striped bass endorsement will 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.
Trahan’s bill would also allow private dock owners, such as hotels, to register and allow guests to fish without registering. Guests would provide a minimum of information to the dock owner, but would not have to register independently.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Jonathan McKane, (R-Newcastle) which failed in the Senate, would have abolished the state’s current registry, allowing the federal government to take over administration of the recreational saltwater registry.
“It’s too bad,” McKane said May 31. “I won’t stand in the way of Sen. Trahan’s bill.”
McKane said he plans to bring forth either an amendment to Trahan’s bill, or a new bill later this year that would exempt mackerel fishermen from the registry.
“I’m hoping Sen. Trahan will work with me,” McKane said.
