As per the government information and the current scheme only 20 percent of the cost for managing the activities of commercial fisheries comes from license and permit fees, compared to 93 percent of the cost for managing recreational fishing. While federal grants account for another 23 percent of the cost of managing commercial fishing, it means that up to 57 percent comes from Maryland taxpayers.
Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director, informed that the Department of Natural Resources is facing a budget shortfall of $3.2 million beginning in October, 2013. He added that the cost of managing commercial fisheries continues to rise because of illegal activities. Now it is necessary to find new ways to fund this fishery. He was referring to the commercial gill net fishery that “saw a number of significant violations of marine resources” last year.
Record shows that more than 13 tons of striped bass were captured in illegally placed nets and the DNR was forced to close the season for a period of time. CCA MD has taken a stand last year through its Government Relations Committee that the commercial gill net fishery either supports itself or be closed. Tom O’Connell, Fisheries Services director for the DNR, said in a report that remedy is needed, and all should come forward to work together and find a solution.
