God but I tried to stay out of this one....
Re: the saltwater license.
"the whole debate underscores why we need saltwater fishing licenses"
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I would say its just the opposite.
The last thing I want to do is to relinquish more individual
rights and privileges to the state. (Mass or other)
The simple existance of a problem
(and I'm not certain we have a problem here)
does not suggest the first and best solution is to call for
government regulation.
This is especially true in Mass where the recent referendum brings a
changing profile to the regulatory envionment and where past history
suggests political factors frequently outweigh common sense and
good policy.
"create a ready fund" / give politicians hard numbers"
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My memory is fuzzy on this, but I believe sales tax on fishing equipment is already segregated from general revenues under the Walthrop/Burton (?) act. This is used for access, conservation and similar functions. Perhaps someone can provide a more compl
ete answer but the short story is there are any number of data sources available now which quantify the number and economic effect of fishing. To date the Government and the population at large have proven remarkably indifferent to broad appeals based o
n this approach.
"Educate anglers as to rules and regulations"
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Education and marketing are not my areas of expertise, but I see posters in
every tackle shop and at a number of popular shore areas. More could be done
but the notion that education is the compelling reason for a new program of tax/regulation is beyond me.
"discourage the 'keep everything we can get' types"
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Hum. I dont know what to say here. I dont keep or eat bass but its by
personal choice. I also make it clear to fish shops/restraunts that I
disaprove of selling marlin or stripers (other than farm raised).
But I'm very uncomfortable with with making it more difficult and
expensive for people to catch and eat what they chose.
There's also a class bias here I dont favor.
"anybody who cant afford the $30.. - we shouldnt worry about"
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Oh dear. This paraphrase of Ruben's note is a perfect example of
the problem with licensing, regulation and the entire underlying
assumptions inherent in these proposals.
We who are smart, we who can afford it, we who are pure of heart -
we know what's best for you. Its for your own good we're providing these regulations.
sorry - not for me