The 2023 fishing season is well underway. Some of you might have your boat in the water already and are catching fish, while some others might just be splashing in for the season. Shorebound anglers, you may have hit your local dock or gone to the jetty this season for some blues or stripers already. One thing everyone has to keep in mind, and it can undoubtedly slip minds with all the things we have going on in life these days, is getting your registry updated for the current season.
As you might know, the registry does not expire at the year’s end but one year from the date you had it printed out. If you are in possession of your physical registry card issued by an agent, the date of expiration is clearly shown on it. Yes, you can also get it done a little early if you have the expiration coming up. Remember that the expiration date will always be the same if you get it done beforehand. Afterward the expiration date will start the new expiration for the year if you go that path. There is also no lifetime registration for the marine registry. You have to get it done once a year to comply with the law. I recommend that if your local bait and tackle shop prints out registries, visit them and buy some tackle before you leave for their free services.
While I encourage everyone who fishes in saltwater to get the registry, there are some exceptions to being registered. They are the following: fishing aboard an appropriately licensed party or charter boat in the marine and coastal district; a New York State licensed party/charter boat owner; a Connecticut or Rhode Island resident that already holds a valid marine fishing license from their home state; fishing for lobsters, crabs, clams, mussels, scallops, or oysters. Many shellfish species require their own permits. Also, be aware that you don’t need a registry for recreational crabbing and clamming in New York. Local townships might have different laws in effect, so be sure to check those before going out.
There are also other recreational fishing activities not covered by the registry. They are the following: tuna or shark fishing — this requires a National Marine Fisheries Service permit. And lobstering, which requires a New York State recreational lobster permit ($10), which is available to residents only.
Reciprocity is also offered in certain areas if you have an NYS marina registry. You can fish in federal waters, which are over three miles off the coast as well as Connecticut and Rhode Island waters. When fishing in New Jersey waters, you will be required to have a New Jersey registry on you. The opposite rules go for those living in those other states as well.
In case you were wondering, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation, the purpose of this registry is “the database helps in efficiently obtaining fishing activity information, which is vital in setting quotas, size and bag limits, and fishing seasons each year.”
Now I’ll leave you with this: currently, this is a free registry, and no fee is involved, unlike a freshwater license in New York State. But what if that all were to change and New York went to a fee-based marine license? How would you feel? Send your thoughts and comments to me at; [email protected].
