LICENSE TO FISH

Catching fish in Maine’s fresh water has long required a license, but fishing in salt water does not. LD 1811 would eliminate this arbitrary discrepancy while ensuring the state’s anglers meet new federal requirements. It will also give researchers more money and data to assess the condition of ocean species sought by commercial fishermen.

Last year, Congress passed a new version of the nation’s fisheries law, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Because federal regulators have incomplete information on how many fish are caught by recreational fishermen, the revised act requires a federal registry of ocean anglers by 2009. A federal license, which is expected to cost around $30, would be required in 2011 if a state registry or licensing system is not already in place.

The lack of data on recreational saltwater fishing also opens up federal regulators to charges from commercial fishermen that they are being unfairly targeted with cuts in days at sea and other restrictions while recreational anglers, who also contribute to stock declines, face few restrictions.

Opponents of LD 1811, including many fishermen and guides, argue that a license and the accompanying $15 annual fee for in-state fishermen, is tantamount to taking away a freedom. Saltwater fish, just like their freshwater counterparts, are a public resource. A license to catch them, just like a license to hook a trout or shoot a deer, is reasonable.

Concerns also have been raised that the $250 annual fee for charter boats and $500 for head boats is too high. Fishing boat captains make their living from a public resource. Charging a fee, which is likely to be passed on to customers, for this opportunity is the norm in resource-extraction industries. Further, the fee negates the need for each charter boat client to have his own license, streamlining the process.

The money from the license fee, which is $30 a year or $15 for two weeks for nonresidents, would be set aside for marine resources. It could be used for fisheries management research, habitat enhancement, land purchases and law enforcement, all areas where the state has been short of funds, often to the detriment of fishermen, both recreational and commercial. If the state does nothing and the federal registry goes into effect in Maine, the money collected by the federal government likely won’t be spent on Maine needs.

New licenses and fees are always unpopular. A saltwater fishing license, however, makes sense, especially in light of the new federal requirements, and is overdue.