NY to do away with Saltwater fishing license

[IrishAyes]

Good news for those who fish New York waters...


ALBANY, N.Y. - (AP) -- New York lawmakers and the Cuomo administration have reached an agreement to end the state's $10 annual saltwater fishing license and replace it with a free registry for the state's coastal waters.

Stephen Liss, counsel to Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, says the three-way deal was worked out Tuesday night and will be included in the upcoming budget. Sweeney chairs the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.

An administration official confirms the agreement. It followed introduction of legislation by several Republican senators to end the licenses introduced in 2009.

Environmentalists say fisherman paid about $1.7 million last year and the money is needed for marine programs.

In December, seven Long Island towns claiming colonial rights to fish free won a lawsuit against the Department of Environmental Conservation licensing for town waters.


http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/ny-budget-accord-to-end-saltwater-fishing-license-1.2778819

[Bucktail]

Great for them and those that fish up along the NJ/NY border.

[Andys Delight]

Woohoooo!!  Hopefully bag limits start mirroring NJ as well so I don't need to be so damned worried about where that border line is. 

[gymrat987654321]

Sucks for those who bought the lifetime license lol

[Tacklebox Joe]

Sucks for those who bought the lifetime license lol

They will be refunded from what I am hearing when this takes effect.

here's a cut and paste from SSC-NY post

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) announced that the repeal of the saltwater fishing license passed the senate yesterday.

The legislation (S6250) creates a registration system for recreational saltwater fishing which will track the name, address, date of birth and telephone number for each resident engaging in saltwater fishing. Each person who registers with the system will receive an identification number that is unique to him or her. Residents will be able to register for the system via the internet or a telephone number, as provided by the commissioner. This new registry will take the place of the saltwater fishing license that was mandated as part of last year’s state budget.

“Today is a great day for recreational fishing in the State of New York,” said Senator Foley. “Residents should be able to partake in recreational saltwater fishing without being forced to purchase a license to do so. When this license was created, myself and my colleagues were assured the money collected would be used to benefit the fishermen who were purchasing the license. When that turned out not to be the case, I immediately introduced legislation to do away with the licensing requirement and create a system that will allow us to meet the federal guidelines without placing an undue burden on our recreational fishermen. I strongly urge the assembly to pass this important piece of legislation so that it can be signed into law as soon as possible so that all New Yorkers, but in particular Long Islanders, can benefit from being able to fish our coastal waters without breaking the bank.”

“This is tremendous news for fishing fans across Long Island,” said United States Senator Charles Schumer. “The bottom line is the current system places far too great a burden on Long Island anglers and charter boats who are already struggling day to day. A total repeal of licensing fee requirements is one step closer to reality thanks to Senator Foley’s efforts. Now we need the Assembly to act immediately to keep fishing free.”

“The New York saltwater license is a broken program built on broken promises, and we’re thankful to Senator Foley for pushing this license repeal through the New York Senate on behalf of our recreational fishing community,” said Jim Hutchinson, Managing Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. “We’re halfway there, and if we can now get the Assembly to understand this saltwater user fee is simply another unfair tax with misappropriated funds, perhaps we can see this unreasonable burden on the New York recreational fishing community lifted once and for all. Senate Bill 6250 is a perfect example of how New York can fulfill the federal registry requirements while not forcing onerous constraints on less-fortunate fishermen unable to afford an extra fee to fish the ocean. There is no federal mandate for a state saltwater fee and we thank Mr. Foley for recognizing that fact.”

“Until our state officials can promise New York anglers open access to coastal waters without continued closures to state parks, beaches and fishing seasons, then this license is nothing more than a tax without any returns,” said John Mantione of J&J Sports in Patchogue and spokesman for the New York Fishing Tackle Trades Association. “Look at New Jersey, they have much more liberal fluke limits there and those fisherman aren’t paying any user fees to fish. We would like to thank Senator Foley for supporting the recreational fishing community and working to repeal this needless tax.”

The registry will satisfy the requirements the state must meet under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, which says they must provide certain background information on individuals who partake in recreational saltwater fishing. States that do not comply with these requirements in some way must require residents to purchase fishing licenses from the federal government.

[ReelFun]

See that......GOD does answer your prayers.

[Hunter 2]

Thats great.    I still have to pay 70 bucks for a NY non-resident fresh water license. I dont mind much but the price has gone up drastically in the past 2 years.

[Scott G.]

  I already purchased my non resident marine fishing license   

[wb]

I already purchased my non resident marine fishing license   

sometimes procrastination pays off! Christine and I bought our's last year and I can't help but feel that we pissed away our $30. Thankfully we waited this year and looks like we'll have some more money for fuel!!!! Add that to the "register with NOAA on the last day in 2010 when it is still free" and man we is gettin' ovah on da man biggtimez!!! woohoo

[Capt. Joe G]

This will help everyone overall.. Lots of guys stop paying for transient slips because of the NY license... Lets just hope it happens!!!Until it is sign and passed I trust no one!!

[CapBob]

Don't get excited yet, you still need the NY Saltwater Lic to fish, the New Regs wont take over until Sept. this is when the NY Hunt/Fish Lic. expires.

So if you are fishing in NY this Spring/Summer you will still need the Lic.

[Scott G.]

   Thanks Capt. Bob money well spent then   

[Scott G.]

I already purchased my non resident marine fishing license   

sometimes procrastination pays off! Christine and I bought our's last year and I can't help but feel that we pissed away our $30. Thankfully we waited this year and looks like we'll have some more money for fuel!!!! Add that to the "register with NOAA on the last day in 2010 when it is still free" and man we is gettin' ovah on da man biggtimez!!! woohoo

  Hey Warren Looks like you are going to need it... See Capt. Bob's NOTE.....

[wb]

No fish in NY waters anyways; no none at all- stay away 

besidez I'ms alreddys registezz wit NOAHz

AR!

[Scott G.]

 

[IrishAyes]

This article says that you will get a refund if you purchased the lifetime saltwater license.

Did not say anything one way or another about needing a license until Sept. 

http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/Other/377879/Saltwater-Fishing-License-Will-Be-Repealed

[Bucktail]

Joe, I think Capt. Bob may be basing that on this press release, which says that it will be repealed within 180 days. If it takes that long, it would not be until the end of September.


Recreational Fishing Alliance (NY)  
Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release
March 24, 2011      

NEW YORK'S SALTWATER LICENSE TO BE REPEALED

User Fee Will Be Gone in 180 Days - Replaced By Free Registry


New York's saltwater fishing license is being repealed!

According to the Associated Press, New York lawmakers and the Cuomo administration have just reached an agreement to end the state's $10 annual saltwater fishing license and replace it with a free registry for the state's coastal waters.  Legislators announcing the change yesterday say it will cover two years.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) received a "high priority" email sent through DEC channels yesterday afternoon regarding the license repeal, noting that budget discussions between Governor Cuomo and the New York state legislature helped facilitate the repeal effort, which is said will take place in the next 180 days.  

Last Tuesday, March 15th, a Senate Budget Resolution calling for the repeal of the MTA Payroll Tax for public and private schools, as well as full repeal of the saltwater fishing license was passed in the New York Senate.  "I made clear from the beginning of the Budget process that I would not support any new taxes or fees," Sen. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) said last week.

Sen. Zeldin, a Long Island saltwater angler, last month introduced legislation in the New York Senate (S3638) which would amend the environmental conservation law in relation to establishing a registration system for saltwater recreational fishing, essentially repealing that part which mandates that a fee to fish be levied on saltwater anglers.  Under the Senate Budget Resolution passed last week, the saltwater fishing license and fee would end with the expiration of the current 2011 license.  

On Friday, March 18th, a fax campaign was initiated by the RFA and the New York Sportfishing Federation to help garner support from Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) as chairman of the New York Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.  According to the Associated Press, Stephen Liss, counsel to Assemblyman Sweeney, said a three-way deal was worked out this past Tuesday night which will be included in the upcoming budget.

The Associated Press reports that an administration official confirmed the agreement, which still must be ratified in the State Budget, which is expected to be approved by April 1.

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor), who vehemently opposed the license requirement two years ago, had sponsored legislation ever since to repeal the requirement, including legislation in the current session with Sen. Zeldin (A6169).  Thiele also supported litigation by the Southampton and East Hampton Trustees with five other Long Island Towns which successfully obtained an injunction against the law in the seven Long Island towns.  In a release issued yesterday, Thiele said New York's license law will be transformed into a registration requirement to meet federal law, and noted that this week's agreement also provides that the registration will be guaranteed to be free for the next two years. In addition, those who purchased lifetime licenses will be granted a refund minus the fee for the past year.

"The idea of a saltwater fishing license was ill-conceived from the outset. Not only was it a tax on one of the fundamental rights that Long Island residents have had since colonial times, but it was a burden to the recreational fishing industry at a time when the recession was taking its toll on the local economy. This action will send a message that the State recognizes that the right to fish should be free and that recreational fishing is a critical part of the Long Island economy," Thiele said.  

The RFA said while some state workers may view the bipartisan decision in Albany as a dark day for the public sector, the decision is good news for private sector constituents concerned about the rising cost of bureaucracy.  

"With all due respect to our friends in the public sector, the private sector is fed up with this same old 'pay me now, bill me later' mentality permeating state government," said RFA managing director Jim Hutchinson. "New York's saltwater fishing license was an inferior product from the start, and as consumers, constituents and taxpayers, our state's sportfishermen asked that it be replaced," Hutchinson.  

"We're grateful to all those New York legislators who showed what true bipartisan leadership is all about," Hutchinson said, crediting Governor Cuomo, Sen. Zeldin, Assemblyman Sweeney and Assemblyman Thiele for working together to secure an agreement on behalf of the New York marine district.  

"Those who would impose a user fee on public access are quick to make claims of the privilege of fishing and paying for said privilege, but that's not the way we see things at the RFA," Hutchinson said.  "The vast majority of sportsmen in New York's marine district do not believe that fishing is only a privilege, but instead believe strongly in their right to access this public resource.  The recent legal challenge on the East End helped reconfirm that long-held belief, and we have nothing but praise for those legislators for helped honor that continued coastal tradition, from the Governor's office on out to our Long Island Assembly and Senate leaders, democrats, republicans and independents alike," he said.  

RFA and the New York Sportfishing Federation also wish to thank all those members and friends who participated in this past weekend's fax campaign to spread the word about the repeal efforts, which they believe made a significant impact in getting the license repeal through.  

 
About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.
 
 
 

[IrishAyes]

Thanks for clarifying that Bob. 

[Scott G.]