THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 1996 TAG: 9608200348
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 66 lines
A Wanchese charter boat captain is trying to toss the saltwater fishing license controversy onto the local political deck.
At Monday's meeting of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, Tom Wagner said that requiring a license to fish in Outer Banks waters would hurt tourism and would do nothing to help the fish population.
``We have to fight against this scourge of political correctness,'' Wagner told commissioners during the public comment period. ``Without customers this county would be in trouble.''
Since 1994, a proposal to institute an unprecedented saltwater fishing license in North Carolina has been hotly debated by sport fishermen and state fisheries managers. Legislation to establish the license requirement is expected to come before the General Assembly by March 1997.
Proponents of the proposal say the license is needed to monitor the numbers of anglers using fisheries. In addition, fees would be used toward resource enhancement.
But it's just another encroachment on freedom, license opponents contend. Wagner said political candidates should be willing to take a stand on something that could negatively affect the local economy.
``I am trying to make this an election-year issue between the candidates, because this commission will not stand up for the people of the county,'' Wagner said in a later telephone interview. ``I'm trying to force the issue.''
An owner-operator of his sport fishing boat, Backdraft, Wagner said experiences in other states have shown that the only gains from saltwater fishing licensing are ``another bureaucracy and more enforcement.''
Commission Chairman R.V ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. said he was ``a little bit shocked and appalled'' when Wagner said state Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Manteo, supports the saltwater license.
``As far as I know, there has been no official stand on Sen. Basnight's part,'' Owens said.
But Basnight said Monday in an interview that money generated by the proposed $15 license fee could be beneficial in several ways.
``I can see positive benefits if it's framed to create more fish for fishermen,'' Basnight said.
The Senate leader said license fees could be used to develop grow-out areas for juvenile fish, plant bottom grasses in spawning areas, and create a fish hatchery and seed zones. In addition, the funds could conceivably help set up scholarships for students who excel in science, and construct piers and docks for people without boats to fish from.
But, he added, any new license ``would have to be acceptable to the people.'' He also said the fee should be reduced or eliminated for students and low-income people.
Wagner said so far Republican county commission candidates Cheryl Bird and Richard Johnson have voiced opposition to the saltwater license. He said he didn't know whether other challengers or incumbents had taken a stand.
Also Monday, the board agreed to allow the Dare County Sheriff's Department to apply for a three-year, $75,000 grant to hire an additional deputy for a community policing program.
Bill Morris, the sheriff's department D.A.R.E. officer, told the panel that the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant would enable the county to have an officer who would work full-time with the public in crime prevention outreach. He or she would serve as a liaison between police and community, Morris said.
He said it would cost the county $59,700 to hire another deputy for one year. If the grant was awarded to Dare County, it would pay the costs for three years, until the county would have to pick up the tab.
In other business, commissioners approved a motion to proceed with the acquisition of Cape Hatteras Water Association. Engineering and financial contracts will be prepared for commission approval. by CNB