Mass Saltwater Law

[Magnanimous]

How does this work for Charter Boats...if someone know where that maybe printed can you point me in that direction..thanks,

Mark

[tmack92]

Right...I get it that Feds forced the issue, but why the individual license? HMS permit is per boat...why not make this the same, or have a boat option that is more expensive than the individual but covers anyone on the boat? Also, what if you are fishing more than 3 miles off?? Fed waters...not state.

Because they say it to track how many people fish the salt. Besides there are more salt water fisheman than boats which really means more money....

I'm not sure what Ma came up with for Charter Capts, but I do know that NY and CT double there fees, I believe a Charter license is $600 in both NY and CT up from $250 or $300

I sure hope theres plan to charge the whale sight seeing boats and the recreational boaters out for a joy ride, there using the ocean also...

Until every sportman makes a stand together and says SCREW YOU to our Government where not paying this, they will continue to shove these things right up our asses.

[fshsltwtr]

ok - i'm going to play devils advocate. i'm not trying to stir the pot and say one side is right and the other isn't, it's obvious there are reasons to be fired up about all this, but...

to hunt all sorts of game, you need a license. for those that hunt a variety of species, you need a specific license for each prey you hunt. is this accurate? i'm not a hunter, but i do love what my friends bring me to cook! why isn't there a problem with this? is it because a hunting license has always been required? is it that conservation efforts are actually seen and hunting as a whole benefits? is it that hunters are more concerned about the longevity of being able to hunt vs fishermen? i know as a fisherman, 99.9% saltwater fisherman, i want to be able to fish as long as possible and harvest as much as i can (ie, to be read that i want to harvest enough for dinner a couple nights and i'll go out again and catch more).

to fish most freshwater streams, ponds, rivers, etc, in the states i've fished, you need a license. and that's for catch and release. i buy my MA freshwater license cause i figure it's going to a good cause - conservation. if i'm naive, please educate me. but again, it's always been necessary and just comes with the territory. am i wrong?

i understand there are issues with charters and personally, i don't think a customer should be required to buy one. why is this different from fishing with a bunch of buddies on whim, i'm not exactly sure, but i side with the charters on this. personally, i think there should be different classifications, single use, multi state, charter captains, etc....

is this issue more about government control of our public water ways? if so, then all boaters should be assessed this fee.

is this about sustaining our fishery in the ocean? if so, then i say only fishermen should be assessed this fee.

if i'm completely off the mark on this, let me know. i'm thoroughly interested to hear your side of this. maybe i'm missing something??

i'd like to believe this fee is going to help us vs hinder us.

for the record, i fish in CT waters on the weekends when i'm not fishing up and down the MA coast and i'm bent i have to spend ~$50 to fish with my bro. but if it's going to a good cause, it's still cheaper than buying filets at my local fish monger...right?

[stevo75]

I think we all knew this was inevidible and unfortunately this will definately go into general fund at some point and it will definately get raised to a higher amount.

It kindda sucks that i might not be able to just ask any friends to go fish because of this.

in the herald's article response one of the guys who responded made me laugh with the 4th license.

Devil's other ideas ...
Frisbee throwing license...$ 20.00
Whistling license ...$ 17.50
Jump rope license ...$15.00
Self pleasure license $ 69.00
Voting out Coup de Val ....Pricless

[fmoore]

Here's what I've been wondering: Is this a license to possess saltwater fish in state waters or to actively fish for saltwater species?

If it's just a "fishing license," then couldn't one just claim that the (insert any species here) he has in his cooler were caught outside state waters, therefore not needing a fishing license? Or can they bag you on possession of the aforementioned fish in state waters even if they were not caught in state waters?

I really haven't had the time to research this so forgive me if this is spelled out loud and clear in the regs.

[stevo75]

Here's what I've been wondering: Is this a license to possess saltwater fish in state waters or to actively fish for saltwater species?

If it's just a "fishing license," then couldn't one just claim that the (insert any species here) he has in his cooler were caught outside state waters, therefore not needing a fishing license? Or can they bag you on possession of the aforementioned fish in state waters even if they were not caught in state waters?

I really haven't had the time to research this so forgive me if this is spelled out loud and clear in the regs.

To further your question what if your 3 miles and beyond? Seems like lots of loopholes.

[tmack92]

Last I knew, you were going to need a salt water license to target salt water fish, I spoke with Mass wildlife last year at a show and was told from their understanding......Your in Holyoke Ma, fishing the Ct river, roughly 68 miles from the ocean, your targeting striped bass...you need a salt water license!!! Not sure how they would ever enforce this, or if this was passed, but it was in the works last year...

I do know that charter captains do not need there customers to each have a license. They buy a boat license and everyone is covered....

[sashamy]

Guys its cheap and if mass didn't do thsn the feds would have and thgen they would have taken the money...border states will probably be reciprocated and their will probably be a charter combo to cover out of state people....

[relentless]

We all knew this was coming and as Doug stated if we did not get on board with this new MA state license we would have needed to purchase a federal license and I am not talking about permits. With a MA license the fees will be returned to MA and we all better stand up and tell our elected officials yo are demanding that the funds go back into the department of Marine Fisheries for enforcement, boat ramps etc and not see it building new walking trails in some park where hunting is not allowed. Remember to tell them you are a voter.

Also this is going to be a pain for those folks who do only fish once or twice a year and don't have a license from a state that has resprocity.

I forget all of the details but I thought there was going to be a license to cover everyone on rec boats same as on charter boats but I could be wrong.

Dave

[JD5652]

Here's a link to the Connecticut Saltwater License FAQ's

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a...epNav_GID=1630