Delaware Saltwater fishing license

[CroixBoy]

There was rumor that Delaware was going to start requiring the purchase of a saltwater fishing license to fish it's waters. Received confirmation today from Delaware DNR that this is not going to happen. I guess they voted it down.

[Posse]

It's not a bad idea if they use the money correctly. Some some of the figures they were coming up with were outrageous. $150 for a season boat license to cover everyone in your boat was way out of hand. They were also saying that they didn't want a tourist license of 3 or 7 day. Only a yearly license. Some of the ideas they had for the money sounded good, but guess that won't happen now. The BIG thing is to get the boat launch done at the end of Pilot Town Rd. They are saying it will be done in 2007. Can't wait!!!!

[Duckshot69]

Not 100% sure if its been voted down or not . But I would say its gonna be a sure thing in 2007 IMHO .

[Togger]

Thanks for the info CroixBoy. I've been hearing about the possible DE saltwater license and hope it never passes in the legistature. A saltwater license is nothing but a tax, and I hate taxes.

This would really create a rediculous situation in the DE bay, with the NJ and DE boats mixing all over the place. I'm sure NJ would be soon to follow suite with thier own tax (license), to make it more expensive and difficult for us DE guys. I'm guessing it's just a mater of time, though. Our money is very attractive to politicians who have the power to confiscate it.

[OUTCAST1]

Please post your confirmation that it will not happen. Far as I know it's alive and kicking--sadly!

[CroixBoy]

I should have clarified... It is not required for 2006.
I'm sure it is on the table for 2007 and on.

[Duckshot69]

DNREC - Division of Fish and Wildlife
Fisheries Funding Fact Sheets and Projected Revenues

Basis for Calculations ¡V Calendar Year 2003

Number of Anglers (Source)
Freshwater ¡V Certified License Holders for 2003
Marine ¡V Number from the 2004 Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics
Survey adjusted for those likely to be exempted from license requirements
(youth and senior citizens).

Number of Anglers
Freshwater Resident = 17,233
Freshwater Non-Resident = 3,311
Marine Resident Anglers = 61,264
Marine Non-Resident Anglers = 120,375

2003 State License Revenues
Freshwater All License Sources = $ 196,033
Marine Boat Registrations = $ 630,895
Total = $ 826,928 (For purposes of this report assume revenues
Remain constant through FY ¡¦05, but in actuality they have declined)

Current Fee Structure (Unchanged since 1985)
Resident Freshwater License $ 8.50
Non-Resident Freshwater License $ 15.00
Non-Resident 7-Day License $ 5.20

New Proposed License Structure:
A resident license will remain at $8.50, but would be required for fishing in either freshwater or tidal (marine) waters. Non-resident licenses would increase from $15.00 to $20.00 for the year and would be required for fishing in any waters of the state. Charter boat/ guide licenses and headboat boat licenses would cover all anglers fishing in that vessel for the year.

1. Resident annual license - $8.50
2. Non-resident annual license - $20.00
3. 7-day Tourist License - $12.50
4. Charter boat/guide license (uninspected vessels) - $150/season.
5. Head boat license (inspected vessels) - $300

Potential Revenues resulting from fee changes while requiring a General Fishing License for All Waters for recreational finfish, clams and crabs.

Freshwater Resident = $ 146,481
Freshwater Non-Resident = $ 66,220
Marine Resident Anglers = $ 520,744
Marine Non-Resident Anglers = $ 2,497,500
Total = $ 3,140,945


Current Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funding and Match Requirements Available to Delaware
Federal FY 05 = $ 2,946,913
Match Requirement = $ 982,314 (Exceeds FY ¡¦05 Revenues by $ 155,386)

Anticipated Federal FY ¡¦07 Sport Fish Restoration Apportionment (Includes approximately $600,000 in new apportioned funds:
Federal FY ¡¥07 = $ 3,546,913
Match Requirement = $ 1,182,000 (Exceeds FY ¡¦05 Revenues by $ 355,072)

Important Points:

„h Not all revenues collected from license fees are used to match the federal programs. Many activities are not eligible for funding under the Sport Fish Restoration Program (clams and crabs for example), therefore the match deficit identified for FY ¡¥05 and FY ¡¥07 is significantly underestimated.

„h The Enforcement and Fisheries Sections currently split the boat registration fees that are collected. The initial $283,000 is deposited for marine fisheries support and the balance is split between Enforcement and Fisheries.


All fishing license revenues go into a dedicated account for use on fisheries projects, as per Delaware Code and required under Assent Legislation by the State of Delaware to the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs. This means that State user fees associated with fishing licenses may not be diverted for any other purposes other than to support fisheries work within the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
CRITICAL EXISTING UNFUNDED DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

1. Replace/re-open Christina River/7th St. boat ramp
Cost $1,000,000
2. Repair bulkhead in front of Coast Guard Station at Bowers Beach
Cost $260,000
3. Cedar Creek Access Area repairs
Cost $750,000
4. Augustine Beach Breakwater modifications
Cost $1,150,000
5. Bulkhead replacement at Courseys and Griffith Ponds
Cost $400,000

POTENTIAL PROJECTS THAT COULD BE SUPPORTED BY ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE FISHERIES SECTION

The following list of potential fisheries-related projects could be pursued if an additional major funding source become available to the Division. Obviously not all of these new initiatives could be pursued at the same time, and some prioritization will be needed, depending on the quantity of funds available.

„h PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ATLANTIC OCEAN FISHING PIER
Probable cost: $2,000,000 for the project.
„h ADDITIONAL HOURS FOR SURF FISHING ACCESS AT STATE PARKS
Probable annual cost = $12,000.
„h INCREASE MARINE AND FRESHWATER RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT BY REALLOCATING BOAT REGISTRATION FUNDS BACK TO ENFORCEMENT)
Potential annual benefit to enforcement: as much as $580,000.
„h INSTALL NEW FISH PASSAGE AT PONDS AND BETTER EVALUATE EXISTING FISH PASSAGE
Approximate cost for site selection, permitting, installation and monitoring of two fish ladders: $150,000 - $250,000.
„h DEVELOP A FISHERIES HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM IN FRESHWATER PONDS
Additional annual cost = approximately $35,000-50,000/year.
„h CREATE MORE FISHING PONDS ON PUBLIC LANDS
Annual additional cost $25,000 - $75,000/year.
„h CONDUCT NEW STOCKING PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONSLIKE ENDANGERED SPECIES ENHANCEMENT
Probable annual cost = $10,000/year.
„h ENHANCEMENT OF THE SHAD HATCHERY ON THE NANTICOKE RIVER
Probable additional annual cost = $15,000/year.
„h RESTORE ORIGINAL FUNDING LEVEL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF DEVELOPMENT
Annual cost = $500,000
„h DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FRESHWATER AND MARINE ACCESS AREAS
Expected additional annual cost = $500,000-$750,000.
„h IMPROVE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES AT EXISTING FACILITIES
Probable annual additional cost = $100,000.
„h PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PIER AND SHORELINE ACCESS FOR THE NON- BOATING ANGLER ON PUBLIC PONDS
The projected cost is $750,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 for these improvements.
„h MEET COASTWIDE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP) REQUIREMENTS
Annual additional cost = $60,000.
„h RESEARCH ON EFFECTS OF FISHING OPERATIONS ON MARINE HABITAT
Probable annual cost = $35,000.
„h SHELLFISH SURVEYS IN SUPPORT OF LONG TERM MANAGEMENT GOALS FOR BLUE CRABS AND HARD CLAMS
Probable annual cost = $30,000.
„h CONDUCT BETTER MARINE ANGLING SURVEYS
Probable annual additional cost = $50,000.
„h GENERATE MORE TIMELY FRESHWATER RECREATIONAL ANGLING STATISTICS
Probable additional cost = $15,000/survey.
„h CONDUCT SURVEYS OF SHELLFISHING CATCH AND EFFORT AND INVENTORY POPULATIONS
Probable annual cost = $30,000.
„h COUNTER THE INCREASED THREAT OF INVASIVE SPECIES TO DELAWARE¡¦S AQUATIC RESOURCES
Probable annual cost = $30,000.
„h BETTER PUBLICIZE DIVISION ACTIVITIES AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES
Probable annual cost = $15,000.

OTHER SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IF MAJOR NEW FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE

Christina River at Churchman¡¦s Road Boat Ramp Repairs
Cost estimate = $135,845
Construct Augustine Beach Fishing Pier
Estimated cost = $1,000,000 including engineering.
Collins Beach Boat Ramp repairs
Cost estimate = $350,000, including engineering.
Port Mahon Fishing Pier and Boating Access Area Improvements
Cost estimate for repairs is $200,000-700,000.
Bowers Beach Boating Access Area
Total repair costs plus engineering could equal $1,050,000.
Scotton Landing, St. Jones River
Probable cost of a replacement of the fishing pier is $475,975 including engineering.
Phillips Landing Public Fishing Area improvements
Probable cost =$236,300.
Rosedale Beach Boat Access Area repairs and replacement
Estimated cost = $141,700.
Assawoman Wildlife Area ¡V Mulberry Landing repairs
Estimated cost = $108,295.
Dam Removal/breaches on Brandywine Creek
Estimated cost per dam = $100,000

Freshwater Access Facilities
A total of 14 existing freshwater access areas need maintenance or repairs estimated to cost over $1,000 for a total of $464,485 with Blairs Pond, Garrisons Lake, and Becks Pond expected to cost 86% of this total.

[OUTCAST1]

The current F&W budget shortfall is $150,000.
Additionally, they need $200,000 to match an additional $600,000 in federal funding that will be available.

So if DE provides $350,000, the F&W budget GOES UP $800,000 (state $200,000 + fed $600,000.)
THIS IS WITHOUT A GFL!

But F&W is NOT seeking $350,000 so they can INCREASE their budget by $800,000.

They are seeking over $3 MILLION, in an attempt to DOUBLE their operating budget.

I've been to a couple public meetings, and each one has started off with a presentation about how F&W has a budget shortfall, plus needs some extra money for matching federal funds. What HASN'T been stressed is that they are SEEKING ALMOST TEN TIMES THE MONEY that it would take to INCREASE their budget by $800,000.

The GFL is NOT about F&W survival, it's NOT about a relatively small budget shortfall, and it's NOT about a relatively small amount needed for matching federal funds.

The GFL is about a HUGE pot of discretionary money for F&W to spend on a large number of expensive projects, most of which have little to do with conservation/restoration!

All numbers in this post were provided by F&W.

[crow]

I think having a saltwater fishing license is an excellent idea. The majority of the trailers I see in the parking lots are out of state. Out of stater's aren't paying taxes to Delaware.

[Posse]

We don't pay taxes, but we do pay $35 for a launch permit.

[Togger]

Not to mention all the money out of state fisherman pump into Delaware's economy...tackle shops, motels, restuarants,gas stations, campgrounds, marinas, charter boats...the list goes on. Beleive me, the state gets a cut of this. Out of state visitors of all types are good for Delaware.

It isn't like a trout stream, where they are stocking it and have to cover costs. The fish would be there with or without Delaware's DNR.

[crow]

Just think that if Delaware had a saltwater fishing license , it would generate good income . The $ generated from the licenses could go towards many of the improvements that are needed. I grew up in Delaware but now live in Maryland , so this would affect me as well. Delaware needs to wise up !!

[Togger]

I grew up in Delaware also, and now live in PA. The whole key to Delaware's economic success has been their policy of low taxation. That is why the corporations moved in, and now it is like a boom town. The saltwater fishing license is a tax, and taxation is not the key to economic success.

I used to crab in Maryland. Now you have to buy a crabbing license and in addition a boat launch permit for any county you launch in. For this reason, I avoid crabbing in MD.

When will people realize that more regulation and taxation is bad for all of us. To do everything I would like to do I would have to buy a Chesapeake Bay fishing license in MD, a crabbing license in MD, boat launch permits for several counties in MD, a Virginia saltwater fishing license, a permit for DE boat ramps, now a DE saltwater fishing license (for now I can still crab in DE without a license, how long will I be so lucky), and take a safe boating course in NJ in order to be allowed to operate my boat in that state when I go there on vacation this year (that marina just lost my weekly slip fee). Once DE has their saltwater license, then it is going to be a very short time until NJ creates this too. Then I'll need this also, even if I just fish on the east side of the shipping channel when I launch out of Lewes, DE.

The regulations and licenses and fees and this, that and the other thing are just becoming too much. I went down to Hatteras last summer for vacation and you don't have to deal with all that down there. What a pleasure!

[crow]

Gotta pay to play !

[no time]

I'm all in favore . Delaware needs a saltwater license. They have an opportunity to cash in on all the out of state people who come in and use our waters. So what if you spend $ at the tackle shops, resturants, hotels ect... None of that $ goes directly to fish and wildlife services. Don't really care if I tick anybody off with this post, I see most of the people worried about the license are from PA . Like crow said above, YOU GOTTA PAY TO PLAY.

[OUTCAST1]

Out of staters already pay to use ramps, pay more for parks and/or campgrounds in DE, and they pay the federal tax on their gear regardless of where they buy it. This federal tax is the source of the Big Bucks that DE receives in matching funds, FAR MORE BUCKS than our size or population would justify. The out of staters outnumber the in-staters by two-to-one and contribute the bulk of the $70 million that recreational fishing pumps into DE. The out of staters have never been on a free ride.