CCA MD Supports Fishing License Bill

Seeking more bang for the fishing buck, Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) has endorsed Senate Bill 666 and House Bill 785, which would make recreational fishing licenses valid for a full calendar year from the date of purchase. Senator Gail Bates (R- District 9) and Delegate Robert Flanagan (R-District 9A) are lead sponsors of the bills.

Currently, recreational fishing licenses in Maryland expire at the end of the year irregardless of when they are purchased. For example, if an angler bought a license Dec. 30, it would only last for 31 days. Under this bill if a license was purchased on Dec. 30, 2015, it would be valid until Dec. 29, 2016.

“This is a common sense approach to licensing, making an annual license good for a full year no matter when it was purchased,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “Passage of this bill will encourage more anglers to purchase licenses no matter when they arrive in Maryland or when they plan to start fishing during the year.”

If passed, the law will go into effect Oct. 1.

The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.

For further information contact: Tony Friedrich, 202-744-5013