In the News
ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Initiates Addendum to
Reduce Fishing Mortality
Alexandria, VA- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Atlantic Striped Bass
Management Board has initiated development of Draft Addendum III with the goals of
reducing striped bass fishing mortality (F) up to 40% and further protecting spawning
stock when it is concentrated and vulnerable. The addendum was initiated in order to
allow managers to promptly respond to the results of the stock assessment update in
the fall if necessary. Provisions of the addendum, if passed, could be implemented prior
to the start of the 2012 fishing year.
Common Myths & Misrepresentations Regarding
LD1432: Maine's Saltwater Fishing Registry
I heard we should just let the feds put their registry in place and not bother with a state registry?
Fact: The registry is already a requirement under federal law. Anglers in Maine MUST register, beginning this year. The amended version of LD1432 would create a minimally priced state registry costing $5 and keep that money in state, dedicated to administration, enforcement and restoration. If LD 1432 doesn't pass, Maine will end up with a $15-25 federal registry (those fees are based on NOAA's estimate and published in the federal register). Sending more money to the federal treasury for no benefit, instead of keeping that money in Maine, makes no sense.
I heard that the feds will only require those fishing outside the 3-mile limit or in tidal water for anadromous species like striped bass to register, and that anglers fishing for mackerel and pollack will not need to register?
Fact: Not true! According to the new federal guidelines, all adult anglers fishing in saltwater where anadromous fish are present will need to register. Put another way, anglers targeting other species must be registered so they are not in violation of federal regulations in case they catch a striped bass or an American shad "by mistake." Note: according to Maine DMR, the primary fish targeted by almost 80% of all saltwater anglers in Maine fishing from private boats and from shore - and 68 percent of those fishing on charter boats -- is the striped bass.
Under LD 1432, anglers 16 years of age and younger are entirely exempt from the registry requirement, and resident anglers over the age of 70 can buy a lifetime saltwater license for a one-time fee of $10.
I heard that if my neighbor catches some mackerel under his license, he can't share them with me unless I am registered. Can that be true?
Fact: Of course not! Your licensed angler friend can give you some of his catch, just like a properly licensed freshwater fisherman can share his legal catch with his neighbor on the lake, or your cousin with a lobster license can split his trap haul with you.
I heard that Maine DMR will use some of the licensing revenue to fund their work on alewives, which would otherwise end in 2012?
That's right. Alewives are a critical component of the ecology of freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments. Many saltwater and freshwater fish depend on alewives in Maine, so using a small portion of the registry revenue is very important in the management of Maine's fisheries.