There's been a lot of articles and editorials in the papers lately which indicate the pots getting put back on the burner again. Anybody hear any thing official? Jack, anything from the Fisheries Advisory Panel? Is it the the same old proposal or is there anything new that makes sense?
The NOAA Fisheries Angler Registry team has just begun their work on setting up the plan the states must meet. You can read more about what their up to here...
Office of Science and Technology
So you would hope the CT proposal would not come out before the requirements are complete.
There was an article in the NY Post the other day that mentioned a different approach by legislators in NJ that are sponsoring an idea by the RFA to introduce a special moter vechicle plate that would cover a state marine fishing registry. Nice idea - NO LICENSE.
from the NY POST:
Senators John Adler (D-6th) and Stephen Sweeney (D-3rd) introduced S 2945, a bill in the New Jersey State Senate to establish the Recreational Fishing Alliance license plate. Designed by marine artist Steve Goione, the RFA license plate will feature a life-like rendition of an Atlantic striped bass feeding in Jersey waters. Funds generated from RFA license plate sales will help finance marine fishery programs in the state and create a saltwater angler registry. The creation of a free saltwater angler registry would eliminate the need for a saltwater license which would amount to a tax on anglers.
"We envision the revenue generated from the sale of RFA license plates will help fill budgetary gaps within the NJ marine fisheries programs and more importantly, fully fund the implementation of a state level saltwater angler registry,'' states Jim Donofrio. "A registry is a much more comprehensive method of gathering angler information required by Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Most saltwater licenses are littered with exemptions that create gaps in data collection.''
The entire storty:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11282007/sports/anglers_must_be_heard_785605.htm