Fishing is a helpful food source in a bad economy

When I first heard that as of August 1st, 2009 shoreline anglers need to have a $9 Florida State Fishing License, I raised my eyebrows. I actually might have rolled my eyes in another gesture of Government Tax denial. After all we already got smacked with a bunch of price increases (parks) and duties (tobacco) earlier this month in spite of an ever contracting economy.

Little did I realize that there was a lot more politics hiding behind this stupid little money maker.

However after having been duly impregnated by the available public relation twists on the issue, I am now proud to announce that fishermen are not really paying for this license. Oh ….no…… they are now proud investors in the future of saltwater fishing. And as an extra bonus, they should also know that in partnership with the State of Florida they have pulled this nice little $6 million windfall away from the greedy claws of the Federal Government.

How did this come about?
Well in a twist and turn line pulling Tug of War worthy of daytime soap consideration, our lawmakers in Tallahassee were victorious in meeting Federal Requirements established by Congress in a 2007 National Saltwater Angler Registry that requires everyone in the United States who fishes in Federal Waters, or fishes for anadromous species (fish that live in salt water but reproduce in fresh water), to obtain a license. (Go ahead, take your time and read that once more).

Yet as so often with hastily written legislation, there was a loophole in this one the size of Florida’s 2,276 Statute Miles of Tidal Shoreline. Yeah, Yeah, don’t ask me, Florida’s coastline is “only” 1100 somewhat statute miles, but something sinister called Tidal shoreline is almost twice as much and is the terminology in this law.

Anyway, in order to repeal the Federal Law, Florida needed to proof and show that it had a licensing system in place that was adequate to monitor recreational fishing effort. Well you have to give it to the Florida Legislature. They saw an easy source of income and a great public relations opportunity, so without further due diligence they approved this new license¬† in its 2009 session. Piece of cake, nice rich cake at that. We’ll put a license fee in place and repeal Washington’s move. Clearly a case of Big Brother orders and Little Brother Happily Collects. Boy what a game!

So the big bad wolf in Washington was repealed and instead of an estimated $15-$25 for a federal license, Florida’s anglers now “only” have to shell out $9 if they want to fish anywhere on the peninsula’s tidal shoreline.

However this still leaves the question here on Amelia Island what to do with all those Georgians that are standing in the surf every morning when I walk the beach with my dog. Should they buy a Federal License so they can they fish here and anywhere else in the United States? And does Florida get a portion of that money?

And that brings me to the following logistical question: How about enforcement?

Linguistically I look at the definition of “recreational” fishing and wonder about all those people on the Southend bridge to the island who are actually fishing these days to put food on the table. That’s not recreational! They maybe charged an income tax for every fish caught or at least pay sales tax as if they bought the caught fish in the supermarket. It’s getting complicated here. In addition technically these people could qualify for exemption under the chapter Florida resident, who qualifies for food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid from Department of Children and Family Services and carries an issued ID card while fishing…….uuuuh..okay.

Well there are many more exemptions in this license that cloud the water and scream for complications in the area of enforcement such as: Exempted is a Florida Resident who is a member of the US Armed Forces, home on leave for 30 days or less.

Now I can come up with a truckload of scenarios that could aggravate enforcement here, but I’d rather leave you with the following paragraph that should make you feel proud to be a contributor to yet another piece of legislation that has more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese. Great marketing spin though:

“Now that the resident shoreline license exemption has been repealed, (read wrestled from the greedy federales), many more anglers are directly contributing to the marine fisheries management programs and partnerships in our state. Recreational fishing licenses are a great investment in the future of Florida’s fisheries.”

Do you feel warm and fuzzy?