New One Day Saltwater Shore-Fishing License Available in Georgia
OutdoorHub 05.25.12
Visitors to the Georgia coast this Memorial Day weekend will have a low-cost option if they decide to give fishing, crabbing or shrimping a try thanks to Senate Bill 464, which created a $5 one-day, saltwater shore-fishing license. The bill, sponsored by Senator William Ligon of the 3rd District, allows individuals age 16 and older, no matter their state of residency, to purchase a $5 license, which covers them while fishing from shore or from piers in saltwater. The idea for this license developed after local fishing-related business owners complained that some visitors were hesitant to purchase the $20 three-day combination hunting and fishing license.
“According to tackle store owners servicing fishing piers like those on Tybee, St. Simons, and Jekyll islands, many parents walked away with disappointed children after refusing to pay $20 for a three-day non-resident license plus the cost of rental fishing equipment,” explained Doug Haymans of the Coastal Resources Division. “We hope this lower cost option will eliminate this obstacle and more families will plan to make fishing a part of their visit to the coast”.
The Department expects availability of this one-day option will generate a modest increase in fishing license sales. An increase in license sales will also help the state qualify for additional funds through the user-paid Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Program. The Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration programs (WSFR) are celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year. The program generates funds for research, enforcement, education, clean marinas and boating/fishing access through an excise tax placed on hunting and fishing equipment at the manufacturer level. “Since its 1937 inception, WSFR has provided more than $14 billion to support fish and wildlife restoration and management,” said Hannibal Bolton, the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s assistant director for the WSFR program.
The new license is on sale now through Internet, phone, or at dozens of vendors, coast wide. To purchase the license or for more information go to www.coastalgadnr.org, click on fishing licenses, or call 800-366-2661. A list of license vendors by county is also available on line. For more information on Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration visit http://wsfr75.com
