Anglers
Should Make Sure to Renew Their License
Before casting a hook and line or jabbing a gig, fishermen should
take a moment to pull their Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses
from their wallets or tackle boxes to check the expiration dates.
The annual recreational licenses expire one year from the date of
purchase, so those who bought one in January 2007 may need to renew
it before going fishing.
“Our commercial licenses and permits all expire on June 30 of each
year, and we want to make sure people don’t get these dates
confused,” said Marine Patrol Col. Rex Lanier. This is particularly
important since a yearlong grace period, in which Marine Patrol
handed out warning tickets to first offenders, is over, Lanier said.
In 2007, Marine Patrol handed out more than 2,800 warning tickets
but only 25 actual citations for fishing without a Coastal
Recreational Fishing License. Now, however, those caught fishing
without a license will get a ticket that carries a fine and court
costs of $155.
The state sold
470,400 Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses in 2007, and 25,591 of
those were purchased in the first four weeks of the year. Most of
the licenses sold were annual resident licenses.
The license requirement pertains to anyone age 16 or older fishing
in coastal waters of North Carolina, except those who held a
Lifetime Sportsman or Lifetime Comprehensive Fishing license issued
by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission prior to Jan. 1, 2006.
An annual license costs $15 for residents and $30 for non-residents.
Ten-day licenses and a variety of lifetime licenses are available,
as well. For more information on the types of licenses available,
view the DMF website at
www.ncdmf.net. Licenses may be purchased or renewed at Wildlife
Resources Commission licensing agents, which include most bait and
tackle shops and all DMF license offices. They may also be purchased
online at
www.ncwildlife.org, or by calling
1-888-2HUNTFISH
(1-888-248-6834).
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Email your waterfront & coastal news to
Waterfront editor Tricia Morris at
waterfront@nccoast.com.
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