Salt Water Fishing License Bill Filed In Rhode Island
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The Following message was sent to Gov't Affairs Officer Patrick Paquette by Steve Medeiros, President of RISAA:
Yesterday (May 29. 2009), bill H.6266 was introduced in the R.I. House of Representatives which would
establish, for the first time, a recreational saltwater fishing license.
This is in response to the federal mandate that all recreational anglers be registered by 2010. All coastal
states, except in the Northeast, currently have a recreational license in place, although all of the northern
states have legislative bills either introduced or under study.
The language of this bill is a result of an 8 month investigation and work of a study group comprised of
representatives of various saltwater fishing clubs, party & charter boats, bait shops, and R.I. Marine Trades
- working in cooperation with R.I. DEM.
You can read the legislation on the RISAA web site by clicking:
http://www.risaa.org/rec_license09.html
The important points of the legislation:
* Guarantee that all funds collected will go into a restricted receipt account and can only be used to
administer the program, improve recreational fishing data, education, enforcement and angler access.
* Resident fee: $7 (lowest among neighboring states)
* Nonresident: $10
* 7-day license: $5
* Exempted:
- under age 16
- permanently disabled/blind
- on leave from active military duty
- passenger on a licensed party or charter boat
* Over age 65 will require license, but there will be no fee
* License can be obtained online w/credit card or at regular outlets such as bait shops, etc.
* DEM will be required to give an annual report to the R.I. Marine Fisheries Council and conduct one or
more public meetings to solicit input on the program.
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