[mole]

From what I have seen on this board a lot of members feel a NJ saltwater fishing license is just around the corner. I guess they are right. I have read the 2009 Delaware fishing guide. I found it very interesting and would like to share some of the highlites. First of all, it is clearly spelled out that the revenues from fishing license sales are DEDICATED to the sport. They go on to say that by dedicating the revenue, Delaware receives matching funds from the Federal Government. The General fishing license cost $8.50 and that includes clamming and the commercial two pot crabbing permit
Another nice feature is you can purchase a boat license to cover anyone on your boat The cost is $40.00 if your boat is under twenty feet. Fifty dollars if your boat is over twenty feet. Additionally, the boat owner gets a personal license to cover him/her on another persons boat. Delaware takes care of their Seniors. Upon turning sixty-five no licenses are required.
If N J would have a license like this I would be only too happy to purchase one. But expericnce has it that N J will try to nickel and dime you to death for a totally unreasonable fee.
It is reasonable to believe there will be a N J saltwater license by this time next year. We should be hammering our law makers right now . But I doubt we will. We will waite until they steamroll us then ***** like hell. Just my opnion. What are your thoughts?

 

[Chazintale]

That is correct no one would have a problem with paying for a fishing license. As long as the state would put the revenue back into the fishing industry. But with this state it would go in the general fund and the fishing industry would see nothing from it.

 

[CapeMayRay]

That is why the group that pushing for a saltwater license is trying to get right the first time so that the monies can be use for what is intended. If done properly it will be a win win situation. Now it is just a matter of getting New Jersey on the ball to get it passed before it is too late and we all have to pay close to a license amount that gives us zero in return.

 

[davereelseat]

That is why the group that pushing for a saltwater license is trying to get right the first time so that the monies can be use for what is intended. If done properly it will be a win win situation. Now it is just a matter of getting New Jersey on the ball to get it passed before it is too late and we all have to pay close to a license amount that gives us zero in return.

There is an important point that you are missing here. NJ does not have to enact a saltwater fishing license to satisfy the feds. NJ only needs to implement a saltwater registry to be in compliance. That can be done for around $2.00 (actual cost to the state per angler is $1.01). Why not get the registry done first to be in compliance and then work out the details (without a time restriction) for your "perfect" saltwater license. Paying a fee to the feds for the National Registry will ONLY happen if NJ does not enact either a registry or a license before 1/1/11.

 

[TheAdamBomb]

We need better data to get more science based regulations. Only way to do that is through registry/license.

 

[Mike Hammer]

I'm still against it, when you can show me one thing that NJ can run like it should be, I'll support it.

I see my, money going to support a bunch of environmental protectionist pet projects earmarked as sportman related projects. I see marine protection zones being instituted and paid for with license fees. I just don't trust those calling the shots.

 

[mole]

Mike'
I coultn't agree more. Hwoever, we are our owne worst ennime by our own inaction and the powers to be know that.
Mole

 

[Drifter7377]

One thing no one has mention is this, License sales will constitute a major portion of the Marine Fisheries Div. budget. The license holders will be a major customer. If they people running the Division act against the interest of the License holders, don't buy a license. That will get their attention. This is what happen in Pa. with the deer program under Gary Alt.

 

[Sardine]

New Jersey has a history of taking money from a particular fund that's specifically set up for one purpose and using the money for something else. They wait until there's a surplus in the account then find a way to spend it elsewhere. Then what will happen later after they drain the fund is say that more money is needed and the license fee has to be increased. I don't believe for a second that all of the money will go for fishing resources but that's just me.

 

[Drifter7377]

The Hunting & Fishing Fund has been around a long time. Some time in the 1950's I believe. The State hasn't found a way to raid it yet. What would make the addition of a Saltwater LIcense any different?

 

[mole]

Until recent times the hunting and fishing was a Division of state government and did not come under the DEP. It was supported totally by license and stamp purchases, fines, tax on ammunition, clothing, etc. and did just fine No tax dollars were used from the General fund. First hunting and fishing must be taken out of DEP and returned as a division of Government. Second give me one sound reason why we should trust these law makers. To hunt in N J is expensive with all the various stamps, permits etc. Now they are starting to kill us with fishing related fees. The first few years the commercial crab pot license was free not now. The striper trophey tag program was free then. Now it is two dollars per fish. Clamming is ten dollars. NJ doens;t give their seniors a brake on license and permit fees like other states do. If they institue a salt water license do you think any of the above would be included. I doubt it. This state will suck your last drop of blood. I'll go back to my origional post. If I can get what Delaware residents can get for $8.50 I'll go for it other wise, forget it.

 

[barrell]

Nj only has 50,000 hunters but 1,000,000 saltwater fishermen. The fee doesnt need to be high to provide all the services needed. I wouldnt mind a fee of even $20 if it resulted in more public acess, more needed research, better law enforcement, buying out the gillnet and longline industries, and hatcheries to grow and release saltwater species.

 

[mole]

Barrell,
N J has only 50,00 hunters because in part people are being driven out of hunting because of the cost of the license and permit fees. If you are an avid bow hunter and firearms hunter and hunt the various seasons your looking at over $200.00 in permit and license fees. N J charges a senior citizen more for a hunting license than most states charge for a regular license. The tree huggers are winning unwittingly because of license fees and because of shrinking hunting acreage. At one time we had a heck of a lot more than 50,000 hunters.

 

[CaptBob1966]

Here we go again:

The estimates of 1 million fishermen is off by about 450,000 give or take a few. The estimate they are banking on is aprox. 550k not 1 million.

In case you have not heard or read: $.33 of every dollar that is generated from the license goes to pay for benefits package for fish and game now.

Whats to stop the state from reducing the budget that is already allocated to fish and game? State could say ok, license pays for everything and we now reduce the budget or eliminate your budget you currently have.

State can also raid the fund with monies from a license that are not allocated to Wallop Breaux. Meaning if the state recieves $1 million and the Wallop Breaux is only $700k, then the state can take the $300k. These numbers are hypothetical for those who can't see.

What happened to the money that recreational fisherman already pump into the economy by means of sales tax that was supposed to be dedicated to fishing. Where's that money?

Another tax or fee generated by the government for people to pay. :thumbsup:

You really think the state will open a hatchery with a shoe string budget?

There is no guarranttee that the neighboring states will reciprocate with NJ. Let's see it in writing prior to the license. So me first before I buy. :wave:

We need to get the Federal Registry mandate done now before we do have to pay any money to the Feds. We can acheive this by implementing a registry with a minimal fee to cover the admin costs. The cost is said to be aprox. $2 per person who has to register.

SWL is not the Registry program, everyone is trying to mix the 2 together and they are 2 totally different animals.

We do need better science no doubt.

We need to fix the Magnuson Act first with the flexibility bill that is being circulated. SWL should be a last alternative.

An SWL is also not a fix all of fix alls either like many on here are saying it is. Better rethink before we go down a road we can't turn back from. :naughty:

Capt Bob
StarfishBoats.com

 

[Duckty]

Well Said Barrell:thumbsup:. The Money Needs To Return To The Sport Amen.:cheers:

 

[rchipbrown]

There are so many licenses and permits already (Atlantic HMS Angling permit, NJ Shellfish permit, NJ non-commercial crab pot permit, NJ fresh water license, Striper bonus tag) another one doesn't seem like such a big deal to me? I just wish they would offer the option of buying one license that would cover all angling.

 

[bennyslanding]

The license issue has been debated and voted on here on the Bass Barn. Bass Barn members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a NJ salt water license. I also ran a poll on my blog on the salt water license issue,again salt water fishermen voted overwhelming in favor of a NJ saltwater license. It is time for the majority to be heard in Trenton! Special interest groups have been destroying our fishing in NJ long enough!






yes 137 68.50%
no 64 32.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 200. This poll is closed




NJ salt water license vote



NJ salt water license with a law dedicating the funds to enhance nj fishing 92% (61 votes)


Set up the mandated registry with the funds going to the us general fund 8% (5 votes)


Total Votes: 66

Return To Poll
PollDaddy.com

pole.
[polldaddy poll=1455703

 

[captadamnj]

Bass Barn members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a NJ salt water license. [/QUOTE]

The poll results were overwhelming, but certainly NOT IN FAVOR of a license. 24,336 members of the Bass Barn and 137 voted in favor of the license.

Less than 0.6% that are in favor of a license.

 

[bennyslanding]

CaptBob1966, A NJ saltwater license is supported by the majority here on the bass barn and I am confident it is supported by the majority of concerned saltwater fishermen in NJ.I doubt that many people have a thorough understanding of the Magnusson sevens act, let alone the flexibility bill. Capt. Bob, Do you know how much the commercial harvest of flounder will be increased if the flexibility bill is passed?

 

[bennyslanding]

Bass Barn members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a NJ salt water license. [/QUOTE]

The poll results were overwhelming, but certainly NOT IN FAVOR of a license. 24,336 members of the Bass Barn and 137 voted in favor of the license.

Less than 0.6% that are in favor of a license.