Chairman Wise distributed a written report on the origins and progress to date of the Marine Recreational Fishing License Discussion Group.  This report is attached to this bulletin (please see).   The group was constituted in mid-winter and consists of approximately 25 individuals who represent a range of involvements with the marine recreational fishing industry of New York (“for hire” vessel operators, anglers clubs, fishing tackle trade, etc).  The objective of the group is to come up with a proposal for the institution of a marine recreational fishing license in New York, if possible, that the group members would support and recommend to the Council. 

The Discussion Group has met 4 times.  Mr. Wise stated that the members of the group have mixed views on the saltwater fishing license concept.  Some like it and some don’t like it at all.  Most members appear to be reserving judgment; their interest and support for a specific proposal will depend on the particulars of that proposal and how well it addresses key concerns and objections that have traditionally been raised against a saltwater fishing license in New York (see report).   

Mr. Wise indicated that he anticipates that the group will likely come to a decision by the end of the summer/early fall on whether or not it can get behind a specific proposal.  If it does, that proposal would be brought to the full Council for its review, discussion and, hopefully, it’s support.  The Discussion Group and the Council would then promote the proposal within the state’s broader marine recreational fishing community, and, eventually, within the State Legislature.  Mr. Wise observed that the institution of a marine recreational fishing license in New York will happen only when and if the marine recreational fishing community calls for it. 

Mr. Gordon Colvin, DEC’s Director of Marine Resources, stated that the preliminary draft report of the National Oceans Commission recommends that there be a federally coordinated process of licensing saltwater anglers nationally.  Mr. Wise then read the following from a press release from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, “…the Council also voted to support the concept of a state-by-state uniform recreational finfish saltwater license or permit.  The purpose of this program would be to improve data collection in the recreational sector by using the ACCSP license format.  Letters communicating this decision will be sent to various management authorities throughout the mid-Atlantic.”

In authorizing the creation of the Recreational Fishing License Discussion Group, the Council also directed that a parallel group of commercial fishermen be created to discuss raising commercial fishing license fees; any licensing proposal brought to the Council must include both recreational and commercial components.  Mr. Wise stated that this second group is just getting off the ground.  He hopes to report progress at the July 2004 Council meeting.

 

Page last modified Monday, July 5, 2004 by George E. Carroll