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We dont have one and we would like to have one. What happens in NC seriously affects the fishing up and down the East Coast.
The NC Environment and Natural Resources will be hearing this bill and they want to hear from FISHERMEN AND WOMEN. You can help by sending them an Email and support the bill for a Saltwater Fishng License and get it out of Committee.
Please email the following ladies and gentlemen that are members of the Committee.
Here's the complete list that people can copy-n-paste the list below into their email:
1999 23 Regulator-2 2003 Yamaha 200 HP HPDI's. Charter and SKA Tournament fishing. President Onslow Bay SW Fishing Club, Chair of Onslow Bay Open KMT, 100% volunteer, benefits underpriviliged Kids in Eastern NC. $12,000 raised for Eckerds Camp E Ma Henwu 2002 Tourn., $6800 for Take A Kid Fishing 2001 Tourn. www.captainstanman.com
Why would you want the NC license? From what I've seen, in the states that do have that, its just been another way for the state to tax fisherpeople, and the fees keep going up.
I hardly ever say it's good to give your money to the state but this is one thing that needs to happen here. The commercial guys have the ears of the state and the rec guy's get screwed. If Carolina does good things with the money like Virginia and improve ramps and build more reefs then it's a win, win situation and they have my vote. Before anyone fraks about my comment on commercial fishing, I do realize they need to make a living but some things need to be held in check, and in NC that's not happening!
You are right, in Virginia the money is used for other things besides what it was sold to the fishing community on, but there are people who say that some money applied to fishing is better than none, so be thankful. Do not know if I buy it...
Does the bill have a clause that allows the State to spend the money to balance the budget? If so, NC state budget is in dire straits, as are many other states, so they could take the money.
Be real now... Surely you don't think that NC, or any other state will put the license money into the recreational coffers. How much, if any, will be left after administrative and enforcement costs? Think about it, you hire folks to run the program, you hire enforcement folks, you deter some people from even coming to your state to fish. Isn't the ocean a "public" domain? Why "tax" people to use it? Is that even legal? I'd also think this may hurt the charter boats business. Just my .02, but you're better off without it.
from any politician, you must first organize the sportsmen and sportwomen, and vote the crooks out of office, and vote the right people into office.
Be aware that the political bosses will lie to you, cheat you, and steal from you any and every chance they get, so it will take many years to finally clean them all out.
If you want a quick fix, it's probably easier to simply move somewhere else that doesn't have the same problems.
In the end, voters usually get exactly what they deserve, because good results usually only comes from someone's hard work, and poor results usually comes from everyone's inattentiveness.
The state of SC has used the saltwater fishing stamp to better the public fishing grounds. The moneys are ear marked for specfic funding measures and arent supposed to go to other needs. Works GREAT.
I did some research on last year's bill and here's what I found out:
The funds are earmarked for fishing related expenses. Admin, enforcement, building ramps n reefs.
The charter fleet and piers will pay a flat fee for the season.
The DMF strongly supports it. I've met a few of the folks from the DMF and they are commited to the resource. I'd trust them with my fees.
Unfortunately Stanman, emails aren't going to do any good. Marc Basnight as Senate President Protem has the power to decide which bills are brought to the floor. For the past three or four years he has prevented the bill from being heard, even though it passed the house.
Basnight's district has a lot of commercial fishermen and fish houses in it, so he is protecting his constituency by blocking the bill. The only way to get the bill to pass would be to remove Basnight from office (not likely) or for some kind of deal to be struck ensuring the commercial folk aren't hurt.
I don't understand why fishermen would oppose the license. I've been buying hunting and freshwater fishing licenses for 20 years, and I'm confident I've helped the resources with my cash. If nothing else, the adamant opposition from the commercial crowd ought to tell you it's a good idea.
Until Basnight gets removed and the whole DMF gets revamped, it's nothing more than a joke. North Carolina has shown the rest of the states a fine example of what not to do. Would I endorse a fishing liscence in this state, not under the current leadership and policies!
I am told that if the fishermen and women send enough emails and/or letters it would get the attention of the Committee and it would get out of the Committee. My Rep. Jean Preston instructed me on what to do and will follow her lead and see what happens.
If you want to help the fishery on the East Coast, send that email supporting the Bill. Those that fish and live in Florida can tell you of their success story, and I believe if it wasnt for what Fl. did, we wouldnt have the fish off the Coast of NC that we have now.
1999 23 Regulator-2 2003 Yamaha 200 HP HPDI's. Charter and SKA Tournament fishing. President Onslow Bay SW Fishing Club, Chair of Onslow Bay Open KMT, 100% volunteer, benefits underpriviliged Kids in Eastern NC. $12,000 raised for Eckerds Camp E Ma Henwu 2002 Tourn., $6800 for Take A Kid Fishing 2001 Tourn. www.captainstanman.com
its not clear to me why the commercial side opposes a license. if the new funds are earmarked for resource benefit, ramps & admin. how does that harm them? basnight protecting his constituents by blocking the bill sounds like a unified position by the pros. the sportsman side doesnt seem to be as certain of their position on the issue.
Streakolean,
The commercial fishermen oppose the license because it would give recreational fisherman power. The commercial boys are worried that if sports are putting money into the DMF’s pockets, then the DMF will be beholden to them.
The license will also allow sports to say they are the vast majority of resource users and should get a bigger slice of the pie. Right now there are only estimates of sportfishermen numbers.
The commercial fishermen have some pretty good reasons to be scared. The CCA said the reason for the license was to give sports more power. Most fishing magazines have lots of anti-commercial articles and editorials. Despite what most people think, commercial fishermen are more regulated and restricted every year, and they see their livelihood slipping away bit by bit.
The result is a real ‘us-or-them’ attitude between sports and commercials. Each side seems to oppose anything the other tries without much thought of compromise. And the DMF is caught in the middle.
This $.02 brought to you by chip.
chipper,
As stated in the bill, I expect 25% of the funds to be used for habitat restoration, 25% for research, 20-25% for law enforcement, 10% for admin, 5% for education and 5% for research grants.
Likely it will deepen the division between sports and commercials.
None of which is going to happen unless Basnight changes his mind.
Chip.
Chipper, the situation in NC is 100% different than up here in NJ.
Before blowing off the License issue you should spend some time researching what it means for NC recreational fisherman. There is a reason why recs want it and commercial fisherman have worked for years to stop it.
Why are boater so cheap!! If the $ are spent in a fair manner what are a few $$ What is the cost of the boat? Insurance? Fuel? Booze?? Fuel for tow? --Cost of Divorce or hiding $$?? Once rode Bikes these "dirt balls" drop $ 10.00 on good service-- boater give the waiter hell and ask for a computor to figure out the tip!! Plus they always give a "GOLD" Card that comes back-- Sorry there must be a mistake ---something wrong!!
NC Rec. wants a license?? Why? Isn't NC supposed to be one of the better states to fish? Can't understand why any fisherman would push a license.. esp. when they have the best fishery on the east coast.
From everything I have heard about NC's pro commercial stance, and lack of enforcement, anything which will give the Rec. guys a little more say would be a good thing.
202 Scout Sportfisher, Suzuki 140HP, fish out of Point Judith, RI
NC Saltwater Fishing License--Help needed 
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