DNREC –DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED NEW TIDAL FINFISH REGULATION 3567, SALTWATER FISHERMAN REGISTRY AND NEW NON-TIDAL FINFISH REGULATION 3311, FRESHWATER FISHERMAN REGISTRY.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a public hearing regarding proposed new tidal finfish regulation 3567 establishing a saltwater fisherman registry and proposed new non-tidal finfish regulation 3311 establishing a freshwater fisherman registry.
It is proposed that all persons ages 16 and older who wish to fish in Delaware’s fresh or tidal waters or both in any given year must first obtain a Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number for the year in question before fishing. This number may be obtained at no cost to the angler by calling a toll free number and providing the required information over the phone or by entering the required information on-line through an internet access portal designated by the Department for that purpose. Each person who requests a F.I.N. number is to write this number on his or her Delaware fishing license, or those who are legally unlicensed like resident senior citizens and those who fish aboard someone else’s licensed vessel should be able to produce this number when checked by an enforcement agent when fishing in Delaware waters. This state registry then can be shared with the National Marine Fisheries Service so that Delaware meets federal requirements for a complete registry of all marine fishermen in our state. Federal requirements for a complete registry will be implemented in 2009 and the federal government may begin charging anglers to sign up for the registry in 2011. If Delaware’s angler registry is complete, then no federal licensing will be necessary for Delaware anglers.
Individuals may present their opinion and evidence by writing the Fisheries Section, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by e-mail to . Additional information may be requested by calling the Fisheries Section at (302)739-9914. A public hearing on these two proposed regulations will be held in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Auditorium, at the same address, on August 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM. The record will remain open for written or e-mail comments until 4:30 PM September 1, 2008.