“So what’s the deal with this year’s regulations?”
It seems as if every year the final approval of fisheries regulations comes later and later into the year, often bumping up against the arrival of the actual species we target most. However, with all the varied federal, regional and state bodies involved in the management process, it’s a wonder that anything ever gets done at all!
For summer flounder, black sea bass, porgy, tautog and bluefish, if anything is set for a change over the 2019 regulations, it should get finalized on Thursday, March 5 when the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council convenes at the Stafford Twp. Municipal Building at 260 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin. So as for answering the opening question, the March meeting is typically where new and updated regulations are finalized.
Don’t forget that anglers 16 and older must register with the no-fee recreational marine fishing registry to fish in New Jersey’s marine waters (saltwaterregistry.nj.gov), which is incorporated into NOAA Fisheries’ nationwide database of recreational marine anglers. No reciprocity exists and all anglers fishing New Jersey’s marine waters must register. Year-long freshwater licenses in New Jersey cost $22.50 ($10.50 trout stamp) for residents and $34 ($20 trout stamp) for non-residents. Get it online at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishneed.htm.
In Delaware, one license covers both fresh and marine/tidal waters and costs $8.50 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Children under the age of 16 and senior residents over the age of 65 are exempt from licensing requirements. Residents and non-residents are exempt from the licensing if they are the operator of a vehicle with a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit as long as the vehicle is located on designated Delaware State Park surf fishing area. For more information, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov or go directly to the license portal at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/licenses.
For those anglers 16 and older fishing in New York marine waters this season, a no-fee recreational marine fishing registry to fish in marine waters of New York is also required. Reciprocity is given to anglers holding a marine license from either Connecticut or Rhode Island. A year-long freshwater license costs $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Get information at dec.ny.gov.
In Pennsylvania, a resident freshwater fishing license for those aged 16 to 64 costs $22.90 (seniors pay $11.90), while non-residents aged 16 and up pay $52.90. A $9.90 trout-salmon permit is also required for those looking to fish for salmonids. For all the rules, regulations and permits in PA go to www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingLicense.
