New Jersey's free Web-based saltwater fishing registry has been up and running for a little over a week, and already more than 75,000 anglers have signed up, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
But all is not well with New Jersey anglers, many of whom were surprised to learn last week that the penalty for those who don't sign up or forget to carry printed proof of their registration is a $300 to $3,000 fine.
"It's totally vindictive. They're going to be chasing people down and writing tickets," said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, in a statement urging anglers to promptly sign up for the registry to avoid being fined.
State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, who sponsored the legislation creating the registry, called the fines "extreme" and "absurd."
"The very purpose of creating the free registry was to cut people a break," Van Drew said.
Read the complete story from Calkins Media.