This week has been a mix of good and poor fishing reports. (I never say ‘bad’ fishing; no such thing.) Is it the weather, lack of bait, smarter fish, or fewer fish? Take your pick of reasons. One thing is certain, tomorrow’s fishing will be different from today’s which is why we all keep going out.
Now that the election is over it will be interesting to see where discussions go regarding the saltwater fishing license and/or registry.
Two weeks ago, I wrote in favor of the license. I still am. I know the RFA and our local politicians are trying to get something in place to avoid such a thing, but without a definite and secure funding source, our recreational saltwater fishing management programs suffer, costing us all in the end.
If you fish in other states, you have probably had to buy a license and that money goes to support fisheries management. Will New Jersey be the only state to put in the ‘free’ registry (federally mandated for 2010) and then get caught having to pay the federal fees in 2011?
I am not proposing having a paid license just because ‘everybody else has one,’ (I love not having to pump my own gas even though we are the only state that still does it), I really believe this is the best source of income for the industry.
A NJ state recreational saltwater fishing license works because:
1) It would meet the requirements for the federal registry, (which comes with a fee in 2011 anyway),
2) It increases our share of Wallop-Breaux monies (which cannot be misused by the state government),
3) It will fund fisheries management programs to help us develop appropriate regulations that are specific to the needs of New Jersey saltwater fishers,
and 4) It is the most efficient way to secure funding (license plates and lotteries are unsecured).
Fees, taxes, surplus charges–––none of these are attractive to us, especially in this economy. Nobody wants to pay beach fees either, but we do in most communities (Go Wildwoods) because the compelling argument was that the fees maintain the beaches so we can continue to enjoy them.
New Jersey must support its recreational fishing industry. Unless Governor-elect Christie has a magic wand, it’s best to put a saltwater fishing license in place now.
All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com. (Photo Gallery is undergoing a system update but should be back up any day now. Be sure to send your fish stories to cmiller@cmcherald.com. This column appears first online at capemaycountyherald.com
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
