If You Plan to Saltwater Fish in NJ Read This

[Gerry Zagorski]

If you plan to saltwater fish in NJ in 2010 you may need to register to do so. I know there are mutiple threads spread all over the place but figured it would make sense to have one thread with all the realted info on it.

The purpose of the registry is to collect your contact information so someone from NJ Fish and Game or NOAA can contact you to get information on your fishing habits and catches. The reason we have this registry is because Federal Law requires states to either have a saltwater license or to have their anglers register. NJ State has opted for the registry option for now and it's free, but who knows what will happen in the future.

Here is what I believe to be the case:
- If you are 15 or under you don't have to register
- If you are not a US citizen you don't have to regsiter
- If you hold a salwaterfishing license from NY (or some other coastal states that have sw licenses) you don't have to register and can fish in NJ saltwater.
- If you are fishing on for hire vessel (party or charter boat) that is covered by a NOAA for hire permit, you are covered while fishing on that boat.
- If you are fishing on a private boat although they might have a NOAA permit for the boat, like a Highly Migratory Species Permit, the person
who that permit was issued to is covered, but the people fishing on the boat are not. They need to be registered.
- If you plan to fish from shore or from your own boat you are going to need to register unless you are covered by one of the other rules above.
- Even if you are registered this does not allow you fish in NY State waters. You need to buy a non resident NY Saltwater license to do so or the for hire boat you are on may have a permit from NY that covers everyone on board.
- None of this applies during the first wednesday of each month during leap years. Only kidding

To register go to this link... https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/index.html You will be issued a temporary card to print out until your official card is mailed. You need to have this card in your possession at all times unless you are covered by one of the rules above or your are subject to fines.

Feel free to pile on here with other whacky scenarios and please do correct me if I am wrong.