Quote:
Squid Row - 7/15/2004 3:27 PM
How long can they delay it before the session expires?
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I dunno. An excellent question. The entire issue is becoming kinda discouraging -- it's insulting that it's so hard to get so little.
I know you aren't for this Bill, Squid, judging from comments I've read, but here's one final way to look at it.
The way I figure it, even the best legislation (and this sure isn't; it's very flawed) designed to help recreational fisherman will take about 5 to 10 years, before a difference is noticeable. Right now, *if* HB 831 becomes law, it will take effect 2006. I'm guessing in the next couple of years, the economy will continue to turn around, regardless of who's in office, and coastal development is going to explode, while commercial operations, 'recreational' commerical gear fisherman, and Nature, truly hammer inshore fishing.
So two years...plus, say, nine years, for recovery -- that's 11 years!
Or, HB 831 could die out, in this short session, or fail. Basnight refuses to let another come through the Senate in either session, 2005. Now it's 2006. Another budget crisis. More and more schools screaming for money, with more and more children (and I think we're seeing only the beginning of Hispanic immigration!). No money for fish. Continuing budget cuts for the NCDMF (their budget has been cut the last 3 years)....Man. I don't want to wait until 2020, to pull in feisty puppy drum, or start seeing Speck's with size, or have a better than 1/5 chance to pick up a flounder dinner for 4.
I'm hoping for something -- *anything* -- that recognizes the recreational saltwater fisherman. I want Raleigh to be blown away by how many licenses they sell; by how many people really fish our waters. And, if the funds get raided, as Weasly loves doing, I hope there is pure outrage from all of us, and especially folks like you who are deeply suspicious of this Bill to begin with, but will comply because you're responsible citizens, and that Raleigh is blown away by that, too.
What I'd really like to see:
Everything managed by the NCWRC -- let the NCDMF only handle the commerical boys.
A simple license structure: $5, 1-week, $30 fishing or hunting and $50 sportsmans (combined). All paperless: you get an id#, and the Wildlife Resource Commission officer can look up the number, or your DL# on a PDA, or call it in on a cellphone.
Raffles that go along with license sales. Give away a guided hunt, or 6-pack charter for every 1000 sportsman's license. Or something. Make it worthwhile to *sell* licenses, so the Charter boys and Headboats don't bitch.
No more RCGFL -- I'm sorry Shag, but...a hundred-yard flounder net?? For recreation? Maybe I need a 1/2 mile 'recreational' long-line. If you fish commercial gear, buy a commercial license.
Speaking of which, I'd like to see a gradual buy-out program of commercial licenses. I'm not sure how feasible, but a small, well-regulated, profitable commerical fishery strikes me as much nicer than a flood of out-of-state wildcatters fighting for what's left.
More enforcement. More Wildlife Resource Commission uniforms, which I hate seeing, but enough is enough. The stuff that goes on in the creeks 'Down East' is like Deliverance, but with more fish, and fewer light-hearted moments.
Two major artificial reefs a year, and...10? inshore fish habitats constructed or improved.
I could go on, but I'm getting depressed.
Saltwater Fishing License Vote Held Over. 
