STATE MAY ESTABLISH ITS OWN SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE

A Senate committee meets today and has another chance at establishing a salt water fishing registry in the Garden State.  Local lawmakers have supported this effort, saying that the program would take the place of a federal registry program that includes a fee.  If the state does not enact its own program, the federal program kicks in on January 1st.  Senator Bob Martin had refused to post the bill for a vote, but relented last week.  If approved by state lawmakers, New Jersey would still need the blessing of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for its registry to take effect.