A new national saltwater angler registry will go into effect on January 1, 2009. Yes, it’s a federal saltwater fishing license. The new federal saltwater fishing license is said to be the key to closing a major gap in information on saltwater recreational fishing and improving the efficiency and accuracy of surveys. It will help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) demonstrate the economic value of saltwater recreational fishing on local and national economies. It will also allow the agency to get a more accurate picture of the level of participation in saltwater fishing by the American public.

NOAA Fisheries has released a proposed rule on the National Saltwater Angler Registry, a requirement of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act, and an important component of the broader initiative to improve the quality of recreational fishing data. Beginning January 1, 2009, recreational anglers who fish in federal waters are required to be registered each year with NOAA Fisheries. The proposed ruling also requires registration by those who may catch anatropous species, such as salmon, striped bass, smelt and shad that spawn in rivers and streams and who spend their adult lives in estuaries and the ocean. Registration will be free of charge for the first two years. But, in 2011, there will be a fee charged for the license. The fee charged is estimated to be $15 to $25.

Anglers may be exempt from federal registration if they fish in a state that already has a program in place to account for all of its saltwater anglers. The proposed rule outlines possible exemptions for states that have a comprehensive saltwater fishing license or a regional angler survey program approved by NOAA Fisheries. In addition, anglers fishing from licensed for-hire vessels (charter boats) and anglers under age 16 are also exempt. For more information about the registry and to view a copy of the proposed federal rule or to provide formal comments to NOAA Fisheries concerning the proposed rule, readers should visit the website www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov.

Some states already have a saltwater fishing license. Anglers who reside in states that issue saltwater fishing licenses, and collect and provide the required registry information to NOAA Fisheries, would exempt an angler from having to register, because their state would automatically take care of that with the information provided for the license.

There is currently a proposal for a saltwater fishing license for New Hampshire anglers that is under consideration in a study committee at our state legislature. If the proposal is passed, a New Hampshire saltwater license will cost much less than a federal one. In addition, it will hopefully be reciprocal with other states having a saltwater fishing license. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Marine Division Chief, Doug Grout, told me that a state saltwater fishing license wouldn’t be able to get passed much before 2010.

Mr. Grout stated, “The benefits of a state saltwater fishing license would be less cost to the angler than a federal license, $10 to $15 as compared to $25. Also, the money would go into the Fish and Game Marine Fisheries fund rather than all going to the federal government. The money would assist us greatly in monitoring our saltwater resources, improving fisheries management, as well as to make improvements to access points and boat launch areas.” He further commented that such license would provide Marine Fisheries with far more accurate figures of the number of anglers participating in saltwater fishing and the fish they are catching.

“The money is greatly needed and will serve our state and anglers well,” Doug said.

What readers can do to help get a state saltwater license passed, is to contact State Representative Dennis Abbott. Tell Mr. Abbott that you are in favor of a state saltwater license. You can write to him: Dennis Abbott, 199 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket, N.H. 03857-2073 or call him at: (603) 659-3175 or e-mail him at denevel@comcast.net. A state saltwater license is needed and time is short. We don’t want our money going to the federal government’s coffers.