Saltwater registration for 2017

[RAMMFISH66]

Happy and a healthy New Year to all. Time to to re-new your NJ saltwater registration for 2017.

[AndyS]

I plan on getting at least 100 people to sign up that don't even go fishing, maybe I can get shorter seasons and smaller bag limits.

[bulletbob]

I plan on getting at least 100 people to sign up that don't even go fishing, maybe I can get shorter seasons and smaller bag limits.

Correct... Part of the estimates on the catch rates are based on information gathered from these "salt water registries"... We sport fishermen started with these things with good intentions and a certain degree of naivety on what the consequences would be... The regulations once they started became more ubiquitous and more constrictive every year, and from my vantage point will only grow more severe with time,, However many of us feel as though its a "good thing".. It is NOT..

As the great Ronald Reagan once said,

"Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

In marine sport fishing truer words remain unspoken... bob

bob

[Duffman]

Why register and what are the repercussions if you don't ?

[SaltLife1980]

Why register and what are the repercussions if you don't ?

Nothing. And im not doing it thiis year. Its a waste of time

[Angler Paul]

You are required by law to register. Although NJ has not been issuing summonses for this violation you could be disqualified from a tournament or a record catch if you are not registered. Also in the future, quotas for each state might be determined by the number of anglers from each state so you could be hurting yourself by not registering. Paul Haertel

[AndyS]

Waste of time. How can they patrol 127 miles of coastline, not including tidal rivers and back bays. Better law enforcement against poachers would be better.
How can I be fined for something that is free ?

[june181901]

I think I recall something about the federal park rangers checking to see if Sandy Hook anglers had the NJ Saltwater registration. Don't recall anything about issuing summons however.

[Duffman]

Also in the future, quotas for each state might be determined by the number of anglers from each state so you could be hurting yourself by not registering.l

If that becomes the case, would'nt it be to our advantage to not register? Less anglers the higher the quota?

Curious to know if fluke tourney winners on this site have been asked to produce registration at time of weigh in?

Personally I registered once when it first started, forget the year. Havent done it since. Never been asked to produce proof of registration and I've been checked multiple times while out on my boat.

[bulletbob]

I am done with it myself.... bob

[AndyS]

Mr. Rizzo questioned Law Enforcement in regards to when they issue a
summons, is the person checked to see if registered in saltwater registry and if not
are they given a penalty. Captain Snellbaker commented that many are not in
compliance with the registry and that the registry law is written that a person is
subject to a fine if they fail to register. A fine is issued when a violation is
criminal in nature. The way the law should read is a penalty is issued if found out
of compliance. Conservation Officers have been reluctant to issue summonses
since the law is incorrect. To correct this, a change must be made through statute.
Mr. Rizzo commented that we need a registry that gives good data, and Council
may benefit in opening a discussion and changing the statue.

[AndyS]

Mr. Tom Fote – Noted that some clubs have written in their tournaments rules
that for a winner to receive a prize they must be registered in the saltwater
registry. Thought this is a good idea for Council to consider sending this idea out
to all clubs along the coast to increase the membership within the registry.

[Duffman]

A fine is issued when a violation is
criminal in nature. The way the law should read is a penalty is issued if found out
of compliance. Conservation Officers have been reluctant to issue summonses
since the law is incorrect.

Totally confused now. Define "criminal in nature".

[Capt. Debbie]

I guess if only two anglers register, the quota could be 20-50 fish per day? 10Million sign up it's a 5 day season with 1 fish per person?

Very thought provoking how to rig the game using their own stats.

Need more info on how they crank out their expected catch.




If that becomes the case, would'nt it be to our advantage to not register? Less anglers the higher the quota?

Curious to know if fluke tourney winners on this site have been asked to produce registration at time of weigh in?

Personally I registered once when it first started, forget the year. Havent done it since. Never been asked to produce proof of registration and I've been checked multiple times while out on my boat.

[Angler Paul]

Some of you are confusing bag limits with quotas. Bag limits are for individuals whereas quotas are for states or regions. The states or regions with the most registered fishermen could be awarded the highest quotas.

[bulletbob]

Some of you are confusing bag limits with quotas. Bag limits are for individuals whereas quotas are for states or regions. The states or regions with the most registered fishermen could be awarded the highest quotas.

sorry.. no trust in ANYTHING the govt does.. I will no longer register.

[RAMMFISH66]

Since I started this conversation, here is my two cents:

I surf fish Sandy Hook at least three times a week(since I am retired) starting in May. Ranger Parker(a friend of mine) will check me only once and that is all for the season. I have seen rangers checking other fishermen every time I am out there. Once they get to know you and you are registered, your are OK!
Have not seen fines or any other action taken except for illegal fish..
I register every season since it started and will continue to be in compliance with the "stupid law"!!!!

[Duffman]

You are required by law to register. Although NJ has not been issuing summonses for this violation you could be disqualified from a tournament or a record catch if you are not registered. Also in the future, quotas for each state might be determined by the number of anglers from each state so you could be hurting yourself by not registering. Paul Haertel

That makes sense. I was looking at it the wrong way.

Unsure if I will register or not. Don't like the idea but don't want to give any reason for them to bust my stones either. Although I've never been asked for it before.

[Rocky]

Here is another thought.

When the government is looking for more money and they see the "Free Salt Water Registry" there with large numbers who applied paying nothing they will start charging a nominal fee.
Say they start it at $5.00 at first and everyone says "Ok that isn't too bad we don't mind."

Trust me it can only go up from there!!!

[Striper80]

I've never been asked to show my card. Whenever I've been surveyed they only see to care how much money I spend to fish not what I caught.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Facts
- States need to have a registry in place to be in compliance with mandated Federal laws.
- Registry could be in the form of a paid SW license
- Politcal pressure forced NY to drop their paid for license
- NJ stoped the paid for license before it got off the ground


OK now:
- Paul who formerly lead the NJ based Recreational Fishermans group the JCAA who has proven they are for you and I say we should register because they use the registry info to determine participation which leads to more quota based on participation.
- You all are pushing back on him??

Am I missing somthing here??

[Duffman]

Facts
- States need to have a registry in place to be in compliance with mandated Federal laws.
- Registry could be in the form of a paid SW license
- Politcal pressure forced NY to drop their paid for license
- NJ stoped the paid for license before it got off the ground


OK now:
- Paul who formerly lead the NJ based Recreational Fishermans group the JCAA who has proven they are for you and I say we should register because they use the registry info to determine participation which leads to more quota based on participation.
- You all are pushing back on him??

Am I missing somthing here??

I'm not pushing back on Paul at all. Just questioning the whole reason behind the registry and got some good info here in the post.

Still on the fence.

Waiting for the fluke tourney or any other tourney guys here to answer whether they are asked to show reg proof after winning?

[dales529]

I'm not pushing back on Paul at all. Just questioning the whole reason behind the registry and got some good info here in the post.

Still on the fence.

Waiting for the fluke tourney or any other tourney guys here to answer whether they are asked to show reg proof after winning?

Duff,
EVERY Fluke tournament we weighed fish in required the angler who weighed the fish to have a valid Salt water registry card in his possession , either the paper version or a picture on your phone and matching photo ID or fish could NOT be weighed.

[Angler Paul]

Here is an interesting story from several years ago. The last I heard this matter was still in litigation.

Fisherman Loses $900,000 Record Marlin Due To $5 Fishing License A
tournament fisherman caught an 883-pound blue marlin off North Carolina
last week. That would have won him a $912,000 first prize, but one of
the crew members on his boat didn't have a fishing license.
So....disqualified.
Oops.

Andy Thomason thought he had set a new record at the Big Rock Blue
Marlin Fishing Tournament, when his monster catch was easily the largest
one pulled out of the water during the week-long event. But during a
standard post-contest lie detector test-yes, that is actually standard;
this shit is serious-organizers discovered that one of the "for-hire
mates" on his boat did not have a North Carolina fishing license. The
tournament rules require everyone on the crew to have one, even the chum
wranglers whose only responsibilities include baiting hooks and keeping
the beer cold. Carolina residents can purchase a 10-day license for $5.

Thomason did not appreciate the irony.

"It hurts," said angler Andy Thomason. "No record. No money. No fish. No
nothing. Yep, it's a nice ending to the story, isn't it?"

"We didn't do anything wrong. But one of our people did. He failed to
get a fishing license, but we didn't know it. He told us he had it. He
didn't. So you take a man for his word, you know? I can't do anything."

Fishing without a license in North Carolina carries a $35 fine and $125
in court costs, plus about a million bucks to anyone you happen to screw
out of a record jackpot. This scofflaw also might end up fishing with
Fredo, if you catch my drift.

Rules violation costs Citation win, record, $900,000-plus in Big Rock
[Jacksonville Daily News]
$15 mistake could sink $912,825 payday [News Observer]
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ALOHABIRD, Jun 22, 2010

[AndyS]

All I have seen in the last 10 years is bag and size limits getting smaller and smaller. There is way too much variation in types of fishing, say the guy in a tidal river fishing for weakfish vs the guy running offshore for tuna, and to lump them all together makes no sense. So the guy that is 100% C&R surf fishing with a fly rod gets lumped in with the guy that is fishing a private boat for fluke and sea bass and tog, again too many variables to the equation. How is all this compiled into one registry ? There are already pelagic permits in place, now those people have to register also ? What kind of information could you actually achieve when putting back bay and and tidal fishermen with surf fishermen with those owning private boats with those running offshore ?