Time running out to sign up for fishing program
Not to sound like a broken record, but...
The Virginian-Pilot and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission have gotten quite a few phone calls and emails the past two weeks regarding requirements for enrolling in the state's Fisherman Identification Program.
Anglers wanted to know if they needed to register if they were fishing from a pier.
FIP is for anglers who are not required to have state fishing licenses. The program allows Virginians to be exempt from enrolling in the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Because fishermen and women aren't required to have state fishing licenses to fish on piers, they are required to register in the FIP.
"We gave all the piers posters explaining it and information cards to hand out to anglers... it's been all over the media and at marinas. And, yet, for some reason, people are still not understanding," said John Bull, spokesman for the VMRC.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has said that Virginia - while still ahead of other states running programs similar to FIP - is way below where it should be with angler registration.
If more Virginians who are not required to have licenses don't sign up, the state risks losing its exempt status with the feds. That would mean all Virginia anglers - licensed or not - would have to sign up with the federal program and pay $15, a fee that is expected to rise to $25 next year.
"I'm deathly afraid we'll get our exempt status revoked," Bull said. "As of (last Sunday), there were 41,000 anglers registered in FIP. That's a fraction of the number who should be, and the feds know that.
"We're at risk, and it could start costing everybody."
Registering in FIP is free by going to www.mrc.state.va.us/FIP/index.shtm or by calling (800) 723-2728.
OUTDOORS SHOW
The 28th annual Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show has been scheduled for Aug. 12-14 at the Richmond Raceway Complex at 600 E. Laburnum Ave.
It's a mecca for outdoorsmen and women - a place where they can see the biggest deer taken in Virginia last year, where they can shop through truckloads of hunting gear or listen to the top turkey callers in the state.
The show is sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association.
While there are speakers, seminars and plenty of stuff to purchase, the highlight each year is the Virginia Deer Classic - where hunters bring their mounts from last season for judging.
Identification Of Saltwater Fish - News
and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission have gotten quite a few phone calls and emails the past two weeks regarding requirements for enrolling in the state's Fisherman Identification Program.
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Virginia Marine Police Begin Enforcing Fisherman Identification ...
Virginia Marine Police will begin enforcing the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program registration requirement after the Fourth of July weekend.
The new registration program went into effect on Jan. 1, and requires adults who fishes in Virginia’s saltwaters, or for saltwater species in tidal freshwater, to register with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission if they are exempt from buying a saltwater fishing license. Registration is quick, easy and free.
Anglers who buy a Virginia saltwater fishing license of any type are automatically registered.
So far, only 27,600 anglers have registered this year. The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates 750,000 people a year fish in Virginia’s saltwaters.
VMRC has taken many steps to inform anglers of the registration requirements, including the expenditure of almost $40,000 of a federal grant on full-page color ads in a dozen different newspapers and fishing magazines, as well as placement of posters at public boat ramps.
“It’s time for anglers to sign up or risk getting a ticket” said Virginia Marine Police Chief Rick Lauderman.
Anglers who fail to register if required to do so could be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor, which carries a fine up to $500 at the discretion of the judge.
Virginia anglers who must register each year with the Fisherman Identification Program include: Those who fish on a boat licensed to cover all anglers; from a commercial pier or private property; who are age 65 and older; and those who fish in tidal freshwater for anadromous species such as striped bass, shad or other marine species.
The intent of the program is to create a Virginia-wide “phone book” of saltwater anglers. Fishery managers will know who is fishing if a fishing license is purchased, but have no way of knowing who is fishing if an angler doesn’t need to buy a license. Registering those license-exempt anglers is the only way to create a comprehensive Virginia “phone book” of saltwater anglers.
This “phone book” will be given to the National Marine Fisheries Service in order to improve recreational fishing effort surveys (which will benefit species management and sustainable fisheries) and to continue to exempt anglers from having to sign up directly with the National Saltwater Angler Registry and pay an annual $15 federal registration fee.
“We need Virginia anglers who fish legally without a license to register with us or Virginia’s exemption from the national registry will be at risk,’’ said VMRC Fisheries Chief Jack Travelstead. “If we lose that exemption, that would mean all adult anglers would have to register with the federal government and pay a $15 a year registration fee. I don’t think anyone wants that to happen.
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