Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
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Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
This is a cut and copy of a email I sent to the local NZ Fish & Game chairman in my local area.
I was wondering if any fellow fisherman have comment?
I have just received the renewal notice for my fishing license. I have bought a license nearly annually since 1986 and perhaps fly-fish a few times a season. Even with this small usage of my license I felt strongly about supporting the freshwater fishery thru my annual fees. Unfortunately, I can no longer support what seem a usury pricing scheme by Fish and Game New Zealand.
In support of this opinion I checked briefly license cost elsewhere in the world. In Alberta, Canada $11 for a resident: In Pennsylvania, USA $21.70 annual resident plus $10 trout stamp: California, USA: $844 Lifetime License ages 10-39 Alaska, USA $24 annual resident: United Kingdom (England) 27(pounds) non migratory fish license. (I personally bought a license in the Czech Republic to fish for Pike for $12.)
Further I have just renewed my gun license with the NZ Police at a cost of $124 for 10 years, which everyone would concede is a much more costly and labor intensive vetting procedure. Also I like to point out that at the current exchange rate it cost less for a US citizen to buy a annual license in their currency than for me as a NZ citizen to purchase the same here in New Zealand.
In closing, I am sure nothing will be done to rectify this state of affairs. I can only shake my head in the shortsightedness of Fish & Game NZ by increasing the risk of unlicensed poaching: Excluding many anglers and their families from passing on the simple joys of the outdoors and skills and respect of our fishery to the next generation: The overall increased revenue loss across the whole industry by lack of accessibility to a wider range of prospective anglers. And sadly, the relentless march of exclusiveness of a basic Kiwi pastime by prohibitive costs.
Regards,
I was wondering if any fellow fisherman have comment?
I have just received the renewal notice for my fishing license. I have bought a license nearly annually since 1986 and perhaps fly-fish a few times a season. Even with this small usage of my license I felt strongly about supporting the freshwater fishery thru my annual fees. Unfortunately, I can no longer support what seem a usury pricing scheme by Fish and Game New Zealand.
In support of this opinion I checked briefly license cost elsewhere in the world. In Alberta, Canada $11 for a resident: In Pennsylvania, USA $21.70 annual resident plus $10 trout stamp: California, USA: $844 Lifetime License ages 10-39 Alaska, USA $24 annual resident: United Kingdom (England) 27(pounds) non migratory fish license. (I personally bought a license in the Czech Republic to fish for Pike for $12.)
Further I have just renewed my gun license with the NZ Police at a cost of $124 for 10 years, which everyone would concede is a much more costly and labor intensive vetting procedure. Also I like to point out that at the current exchange rate it cost less for a US citizen to buy a annual license in their currency than for me as a NZ citizen to purchase the same here in New Zealand.
In closing, I am sure nothing will be done to rectify this state of affairs. I can only shake my head in the shortsightedness of Fish & Game NZ by increasing the risk of unlicensed poaching: Excluding many anglers and their families from passing on the simple joys of the outdoors and skills and respect of our fishery to the next generation: The overall increased revenue loss across the whole industry by lack of accessibility to a wider range of prospective anglers. And sadly, the relentless march of exclusiveness of a basic Kiwi pastime by prohibitive costs.
Regards,
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
Interesting Bruce, I guess I went the other way... I brought a family lisence this season just in case my wife decides she will come along one day (I doubt she will).
I personally like the new structure of costs, I see it appears a lot cheaper overseas for cost per annum but do you know what if any other funding avenues those fisheries receive? Also value for money, how much or many waterways do you get for those costs overseas? I don't know personally, but have been happy with NZ so never really looked into it???
F&G only get the lisence fees to support our fisheries and with the state of some of our rivers in decline, I'm happy to pay as is. For me, what I spend on gear for the sport I love, the lisence is just a small fraction, I know that's not the same for everyone so think the new setup addresses this to some extent. When I saw the new fees at first, I wondered if it would potentially reduce the total haul for F&G as some people will go for the cheaper options that fit their situation, partly why I chose to upgrade to the family lisence.
Cheers
Mike
I personally like the new structure of costs, I see it appears a lot cheaper overseas for cost per annum but do you know what if any other funding avenues those fisheries receive? Also value for money, how much or many waterways do you get for those costs overseas? I don't know personally, but have been happy with NZ so never really looked into it???
F&G only get the lisence fees to support our fisheries and with the state of some of our rivers in decline, I'm happy to pay as is. For me, what I spend on gear for the sport I love, the lisence is just a small fraction, I know that's not the same for everyone so think the new setup addresses this to some extent. When I saw the new fees at first, I wondered if it would potentially reduce the total haul for F&G as some people will go for the cheaper options that fit their situation, partly why I chose to upgrade to the family lisence.
Cheers
Mike
- Steve
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
Yes just had a look at the new options and seems that F&G have tried to address some of the concerns people have raised previously, the regional licence looks a good option for instance, and the over 65 pricing has to help those that are retired.
And as Mike say's F&G need a certain amount of $$ to operate, any legal challenge they mount costs a lot of money, I believe they need every cent we can give them to fight those battles, so don't begrudge paying it.
Were I do have concerns are where it appears F&G may not be using those $$ in the best interests of anglers, the current elections provide the platform for us to get involved, which is what i'm looking at
And as Mike say's F&G need a certain amount of $$ to operate, any legal challenge they mount costs a lot of money, I believe they need every cent we can give them to fight those battles, so don't begrudge paying it.
Were I do have concerns are where it appears F&G may not be using those $$ in the best interests of anglers, the current elections provide the platform for us to get involved, which is what i'm looking at
- Steve
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
Habitat Conservation
Without habitat there is of course no species, nothing to hunt or fish for, thus habitat
conservation is the main thrust of Council’s activities. The immense expense of this is
met solely from the sale of fishing and hunting licences. While the habitat conservation
efforts of Fish & Game have been directed at the sports fish and gamebird resources,
these successful protection ventures carry a far wider, yet largely unacknowledged, public
benefit to the innumerable passive and active pursuits and users dependant on the same
natural habitat.
Collectively its statutory position and revenue place Fish & Game Councils and their licence
holders as the country’s largest pro-active conservation group.
The key to this function is to ensure that recreational harvesting of sports fish and game
birds is undertaken on a sustainable basis and that the habitats which they occupy are
protected or enhanced to maintain viable populations.
Without habitat there is of course no species, nothing to hunt or fish for, thus habitat
conservation is the main thrust of Council’s activities. The immense expense of this is
met solely from the sale of fishing and hunting licences. While the habitat conservation
efforts of Fish & Game have been directed at the sports fish and gamebird resources,
these successful protection ventures carry a far wider, yet largely unacknowledged, public
benefit to the innumerable passive and active pursuits and users dependant on the same
natural habitat.
Collectively its statutory position and revenue place Fish & Game Councils and their licence
holders as the country’s largest pro-active conservation group.
The key to this function is to ensure that recreational harvesting of sports fish and game
birds is undertaken on a sustainable basis and that the habitats which they occupy are
protected or enhanced to maintain viable populations.
- Whio
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
My only area of disappointment with the new licence options is the introduction of a regional licence and the ridiculously low cost for the overseas licence. The reason being the points made above about the work F&G do to preserve the waterways etc. It costs truckloads and so regardless of whether we choose to fish just 1 region or multiple regions we should all be happy to contribute to preservation of the environment.
Just this week I was thinking - can I make a donation to F&G or similar organisation (preferably for a tax rebate) to help protect the environment I so love and that our current administrators seem so hell bent on destroying.
When I look at what it costs me annually in fuel to go fishing, the licence cost is probably the cheapest aspect of our sport.
Elections are coming up. So vote to get the people in you believe will do a good job. If you think the candidates are all wallys; then how come you haven't made the effort to stand for election so there is someone worthwhile to elect?
Just this week I was thinking - can I make a donation to F&G or similar organisation (preferably for a tax rebate) to help protect the environment I so love and that our current administrators seem so hell bent on destroying.
When I look at what it costs me annually in fuel to go fishing, the licence cost is probably the cheapest aspect of our sport.
Elections are coming up. So vote to get the people in you believe will do a good job. If you think the candidates are all wallys; then how come you haven't made the effort to stand for election so there is someone worthwhile to elect?
Some of my life I spend fly fishing, the rest I just waste!
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
I have no problems with the cost. That's their only income. For everything. They trying to cater for all can't please everyone I guess.
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
In the UK the licence is £27 non migratory and then £72 for migratory, but that doesn't generally give you access to waters, well not in England (Scotland is a different). You can then pay anything from £10 - 30 a day for stillateers and many rivers. Clubs / syndicates vary in annual memberships from £30 - to whatever you wish to pay.... This year one club and one syndicate have cost me £730.... So the licence may be cheap but that's often only the thin end of the wedge.
- fraser hocks
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
Interesting post by Balex. Is it only me that sees the comedy in his first post? Saying that he isn't going to buy a license on a fishing forum
Personally I think they do an amazing job for what little income (that only comes from license fees) they receive. You only need to travel overseas to realize how amazing our fishery is in comparison to the licence fee. Hell if it was 4 times the cost, it would still be value of money In my opinion
Personally I think they do an amazing job for what little income (that only comes from license fees) they receive. You only need to travel overseas to realize how amazing our fishery is in comparison to the licence fee. Hell if it was 4 times the cost, it would still be value of money In my opinion
Bucking trends in fly fishing since 1970!
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
My 2cents worth is that it is still too cheap for the quality we get. Last year fished in Slovenia for 2 days. First day cost me Euro 99 second day Euro 65 and I still thought that was good value for the experience. Except driving for 2 1/2 hours on a a motorway to get to the river when it is 25 minutes from home currently. I like the idea of a tax deduction for a donation to Fish and Game so will contact them tomorrow to see if it is possible.
- Steve
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Re: Freshwater Fishing Licence Cost
That was the idea behind Future Rivers though currently the trust isn't seeking $$ from the public as the trust has had problems trying to achieve it's initial environmental goals. I hope these are resolved soon one way or another as I still believe in the idea.Whio wrote:Just this week I was thinking - can I make a donation to F&G or similar organisation (preferably for a tax rebate) to help protect the environment I so love and that our current administrators seem so hell bent on destroying.
Being focuses on such a narrow area; fresh water fisheries and their environments, meant the trust couldn't obtain Charitable status, so couldn't offer tax rebates to the public for donations unfortunately.
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