Presidents Report
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July, 2008
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The Saltwater Fishing License/Registry was a topic of discussion at a meeting in Falmouth on June 19th at the
Flying Bridge restaurant. The invitation for this meeting came from Division of Marine Fisheries and was sent to
representatives’ of Marine Recreational Fishery. Representatives from fishing clubs, saltwater magazines,
charter boats, tackle shops, Sportsman Council and State Reps were there.
The meeting started with introductions and welcome to guests, Commissioner Mary Griffin, Department of Fish
and Game was welcomed. Paul Diodati brought everyone up to date on why there is a Registry/ License
coming;
The Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization of 2006 requires all U.S. saltwater recreational anglers to be
registered federally (or through a state) by 2009. The new federal law is aimed at improving collection and
accuracy of marine recreational fishery statistics. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is working
aggressively with cooperating states to implement this federal program, which will be free in 2009 and 2010,
but NMFS plans to charge an annual administrative fee of about $30 per individual beginning in 2011. User
costs imply user benefits, but a federal fee will not translate efficiently into local benefits.
If the Commonwealth continues without a state marine recreational registry we will be pre-empted by NMFS and
that would lead to serious state vs. federal jurisdictional conflicts and loss of Massachusetts revenue. In
addition, the federal program suffers from limitations that will result in an incomplete and biased database, thus
circumventing the entire purpose of a registry to provide improved statistics. The Commonwealth is potentially
better situated than the federal government to administer a registry program and provide user benefits to our
local fisheries for less money. Being able to control costs to anglers, develop specific program benefits, and
eliminate questions over jurisdiction and authority are strong incentives that are driving our willingness to
discuss state participation in a registry.
Dr. David Van Voorhees, NMFS Chief of Fisheries Statistic Division gave points from the Federal side of the
Registry, in essence the old data collection method of making random phone calls and inquiring on method of
fishing and catch numbers and areas fished was not working.
Comments from the participants were heard and briefly commented on. What was expected of us was to let the
State know what to pursue, Federal or Sate control of the Registry;
Alternative 1. No Action results in Federal coordination and administration of registry.
Alternative2. State Acts, results in State coordination of registry:
2a. State administers an annual base program for minimal cost to register and survey anglers,
integrate information with NMFS and interstate databases, and provide information to the general public:
2b. State administers an annual expanded – program for higher than minimal cost to register and
survey anglers integrate information with NMFS and interstate data bases, provide information to the general
public, improve access to saltwater for recreational fisherman, supply stocking programs and restoration efforts
for important recreational species.
A poll of the invited recreational representatives was taken and a majority wants the State to have the Registry
in some form.
Everyone wants to make sure the funds do not get robbed like a couple of administrations ago tried to do.
I voiced all of the input that I received so far, there will be at least 3 more meetings and any other input will come
forward at those meetings.
The timeline is for Legislative in December and part of Chapter 130 by 2011.
2009 and 2010 will be a free ride.
The subject also came up about the lack of info on this very important change in our lives and how it just shows
up in a paper one day, of course the rumors have been coming for years now and states that have it now are
struggling.
I will do my best to keep you informed, and advise you to gather as much information wherever you can and be
informed rather to be informed.
For Access and Conservation
George Cairns
President
MBBA
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