CCA MD Opposes Hike in Fishing License Fees Absent New Direction at DNR

[Robert]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2007

CONTACT
Robert Glenn (info@ccamd.org), 888.758.6580

CCA MD Opposes Hike in Fishing License Fees Absent New Direction at DNR

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Annapolis</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">MD-</st1:State></st1:place> The Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland (CCA MD) has announced that it will not lend its support to Senate Bill 1012. Written barely two weeks ago, the legislation aims to reform <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State> fisheries management and provide funding for the Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Service through higher fees for recreational fishing licenses. The Association arrived at its decision at an Executive Board meeting last night based on its inability to thoroughly engage its membership in such a hurried process and after considering the substance of the reform provisions in the bill.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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“CCA Maryland believes recreational saltwater anglers are willing to accept license fee increases for the privilege to fish,” said <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Ken Lewis</st1:PersonName>, chairman of CCA MD’s Government Affairs Committee, “but they need to see a real commitment to major change in fisheries management philosophy that recognizes that the future of sustainable fisheries management lies with the recreational angler and their support.”<o:p></o:p>
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Since the early 1990’s general fund support for fisheries management has continually declined making the Fisheries Service more dependent on special funds obtained through fishing license fees. This has placed the burden for additional funding for fisheries management on the backs of recreational fishermen, the majority stakeholder of the state’s fisheries resources.<o:p></o:p>
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“Senate Bill 1012 is well intentioned but hastily conceived,” said <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Bill Curry</st1:PersonName>, chairman of CCA MD. “While it contains provisions addressing our long-term goal of fisheries management reform and offers needed funding to support such management, it came at such a late date in the legislative session that we were unable to effectively engage our membership and the public on these far reaching issues.”<o:p></o:p>
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Of particular concern to CCA MD’s Executive Board was the lack of communication with the recreational fishing public that should precede raising user fees and deciding public policy issues about DNR reform. The Sport Fish Advisory Commission, an official DNR advisory commission that represents recreational fishermen’s concerns, had no input into the legislation and was first informed of the legislation Monday night. <o:p></o:p>
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“CCA MD is not closing the door to supporting a much needed increase in funding for DNR’s Fisheries Service through higher license fees”, said Robert Glenn, Executive Director of CCA MD. “In fact, we look forward to working with DNR to adopt reform measures that make higher license fees a good investment in abundant fisheries for recreational anglers for generations to come.”<o:p></o:p>


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Coastal Conservation Association is a national organization of 90,000 members in 15 state chapters. CCA’s mission is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.

[Scott McGuire]

I applaud this decision. I really wish MSSA had taken the time to read the bill before they took a postion to endorse it at the last BOD meeting where DNR leaders lobbyied for their support.

[Timbo]

I'm in agreement and strongly support CCA's position on this matter.

[Scott McGuire]

No I don't think you have the right bullets on your timeline Capt Mike.

Honestly this bill is trash. MSSA got duped into endorsing it before they had a chance to read it. CCA hadn't taken an official position until now.

[Chumbucket]

Now let me get this right.

Someone from CCA agrees that this bill is needed, tell the backers of the bill that CCA is behind it. Membership is made aware of the bill, membership starts grumbling about the bill, so the leadership decides they had better have an executive board meeting and vote whether to back the bill since there is some opposition.

Slight of hand at its best.

Reds, you are one beautiful piece of work...You and CCA finally agree on something and you just have to, just can't stop yourself, you are obsessed, with finding or manufacturing some nonsense to try to discredit CCA...

Bud, you are a one man comedy show...

[OneMoreCast]

Now let me get this right.

Someone from CCA agrees that this bill is needed, tell the backers of the bill that CCA is behind it. Membership is made aware of the bill, membership starts grumbling about the bill, so the leadership decides they had better have an executive board meeting and vote whether to back the bill since there is some opposition.

Slight of hand at its best.


Don't you always complain that the members of the cca just blindly listen to the leaders? Now you are complaining that the leaders are listening to the members? I don't get it. The cca never had an official stance on the bill. Want to see the newsletters? We held a vote for our chapter meeting.... and guess what? The chapter voted no... So..we sent a no vote in. That's what the cca is all about. Listening to the average joe and letting them have a shot to be heard.

[Porkchunker]

As a CCA member, I support the CCA position. I will fund competent management, not political management. I would gladly allow them to double or tripple the cost of my tidal boat license if I thought that it would go to competent science-based management and unbiased enforcement. But as long as the decisions always favor the MWA at the cost of a sustainable fishery, I'll take my money elsewhere.

And despite what Cam2 may say, I'm not greedy. I don't keep fish during the year (other than croaker) until my Nov/Dec trip to the CBBT. So, they are VA fish, not MD fish.

[bel air fishman]

Something about the CCA not backing this doesn't sit well with me. The legislative session in Md is a short one and now having to wait till next year (which really means almost 2 years before any fee increase because the licenses are renewed Jan. 1) to increase funding to what everyone agrees is an underfunded agency is short sighted. As far as unbiased enforcement goes, that's a cheap shot. Read the DNR news blotter for the last month or two. It's when they get to court that the bias starts. It just makes it appear that the CCA is more worried about what the recs aren't getting instead of what we are getting.
Mike

[HammerII]

Nice try on a spin, but your leadership got caught this time.

The procedure is: take a vote of the executive board, before the hierarchy in the CCA agrees to support a bill. Not after!!!!

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.

Well Reds that's an interesting spin on things. The funny thing was the very same night after the vote someone said you could finally take a position on the bill now that CCA had finalized its position.
If you could please explain to me just how you arrived at that conclusion that we supported 1012 then did a reverse I would love to hear it. Perhaps I might be able to clear up any confusion you may have.

[Crabslayer]

Govn'er O :clover: , will support this bill, I'm sure. More money for the "General Fund" as he's just begun! Hey I like the ring of that. Didn't know I was a poet. :D