§ 12 §6312 — Saltwater recreational fishing registry

1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.
Saltwater recreational fishing registry established.
The commissioner shall administer and maintain a registry of persons who engage in saltwater recreational fishing in the coastal waters of the State. The registry must at a minimum contain the name, address, date of birth and telephone number for each person registered. Only an individual may register.
3.
Registration required.
Unless the registry is suspended by rule under subsection 16, a person may not engage in saltwater recreational fishing in the coastal waters of the State or land or possess fish taken from the coastal waters of the State without registering pursuant to this section except that the following persons are exempt from this prohibition :
3-A.
(TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/01/26) Registration required for fishing for halibut.
Notwithstanding subsection 3, an individual fishing for halibut in the coastal waters of the State is required to register and obtain recreational halibut tags.
4.
Striped bass endorsement.
5.
(TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/01/26) Recreational fishing operator's license.
The following persons are eligible to hold a recreational fishing operator's license issued by the commissioner:
5.
(TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/01/26) Recreational fishing operator's license.
The following persons are eligible to hold a recreational fishing operator's license issued by the commissioner:
6.
Agent fee.
7.
Native American.
8.
Penalty.
A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 may be adjudged.
9.
Suspension.
A person on the registry is subject to the applicable suspension provisions under chapter 617.
10.
Collaboration on outreach efforts.
The commissioner shall work with fishing and hunting groups and interested parties in the commissioner's efforts to notify and educate the public about the registry.
11.
Report.
The commissioner shall report registry information to the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a form and manner as required by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
12.
Rules.
The commissioner may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
13.
Registration expiration.
A registration issued under this section is valid until December 31st of the year in which it was issued. If applicable federal requirements allow, the commissioner may by rule extend the period for which a registration is valid.
14.
Registry procedures.
A person may register pursuant to this section through an agent appointed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to issue licenses under section 12501, through a publicly accessible online electronic system for registration operated by the department or at the department through a department employee.
15.
Agent fees.
A fee may not be charged for registering under this section. A person registering through an agent under section 12501 may be charged an agent fee of $2 if the only transaction conducted by that person is registering on the registry. A person registering on a publicly accessible online electronic system for registration may be charged an agent fee of $1. A person registering at the department with a department employee may be charged an agent fee of $1.
16.
Termination of registry requirement.
If the Marine Recreational Information Program administered by the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does not receive funding to conduct surveys and perform data analysis, the department by rule shall suspend the registry. If the department suspends the registry, a person is not required to register under this section in order to engage in saltwater recreational fishing.

Legislative History

PL 2009, c. 559, §2 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 559, §4 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 421, §2 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV). PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF). PL 2025, c. 155, §§1-4 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 155, §6 (AFF).