Federal Saltwater Registry Options

I would like to start off by thanking Governor Christie for signing bill 1122 on February 22 mandating a FREE saltwater registry be created in NJ. But until the NJ DEP implements the registry and receives approval by NOAA for exempt status those of us here in NJ without a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit, valid out of state license from an exempt state, fish only on federally permitted charter or party boats or a valid Federal Saltwater Registry card will need to register for 2011.

We have heard that the NJ DEP plans to get a system up and running to implement the NJ Saltwater Registry by May, but it will also need to be approved by NOAA for exempt status. To date I have not heard any word on how long it will take to receive approval from NOAA. For some of us the April/May timeframe will suffice, but others may need to register prior to the start of NJ’s registry program.

There is an alternative for those anglers who need to register prior to the start of the NJ Saltwater Registry. A few states have non-resident fees that are less than or equal to the Federal Registry fee. Not to mention, I personally would much rather give my money to another state’s Marine Fisheries Bureau than to the Federal Government to be used for who knows what instead of bettering our sport, access for anglers and boaters and marine conservation.

Maine is one example of a state with a free registry program, however it costs only $2.00 for out of state residents to process their applications on-line with the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Below is a short list of options for those who do not meet the exemption status in 2011 for the Federal Saltwater Registry and links to those state’s marine fisheries web sites.