CCBGFC Reminders

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Reminders
and
Item's of Interest

HMS PERMITS FOR 2007-2008 ARE NOW AVAILABLE

As of March 1, 2003, all owners and/or operators of vessels fishing recreationally for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit.

New 2007-2008 vessel permits, effective through December 31, 2008; are now available at NMFS Permit Shop In the meantime, 2006 fishing year permits are valid through May 31, 2007.

This Permit replaces the Atlantic Tuna Permit. Please be aware that language in the new permit indicates that any boat fishing in a manner that can reasonably be expected to catch one of these species is required to have the new HMS permit.

on the Web...

~ REMINDER ~
RECREATIONAL REPORTING
LANDING OF
HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES

Within 24 hours of landing (killing and bringing to shore) any bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, swordfish, or sailfish that were caught in federal waters, recreational vessel owners must report the landing to NOAA Fisheries. Call 1-800-894-5528 to report landings of billfish (blue and white marlin and sailfish) and swordfish, and 1-888-872-8862 to report bluefin tuna landings. Individual anglers participating in registered tournaments do not need to phone in billfish and swordfish landings if the tournament operator is already reporting to NOAA Fisheries.

LICENSE REMINDER

Effective September 1, 2007, a valid Texas Fishing License and Saltwater stamp is required of anyone unloading or landing fish Texas, regardless where they were caught including Federal water beyond 9 miles.

on the Web...
http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/PDF/ba80r/HB3765.PDF

FEDERAL FISHING REGULATIONS AMENDED
April, 2007

A NMFS interim rule for the 2007 recreational fishing season reduces the recreational bag limit for Red Snapper from 4 fish to 2 fish, and prohibits for-hire captain and crew from retaining a bag limit.

This rule is effective May 2, 2007.

For a complete description of amendments see
2007 Errata and Updates to the November, 2005 Fishing Regulations

on the Web...

~ USCG PRESS RELEASE~

BOATERS MUST NOT OPERATE 121.5/243 MHZ EPIRBs AFTER 31 DECEMBER 2006

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard reminds all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model.

for more information see US Coast Guard News

NOAA's Raster Navigational Charts
(NOAA RNCs™)
Available for Download

All official nautical paper charts produced by NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (OCS) are available in raster format. A fundamental tool of marine navigation, NOAA's Raster Navigational Charts (NOAA RNCs™) are produced by scanning at high resolution the original color separates, which are used to print the paper charts.

For more information and instructions for downloading these charts in BSB format, please visit the distribution web site at:

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm

Fuel Tax Refund Information

Recreational boaters who purchase taxed fuel for use in their boats may claim a 20¢ per gallon refund of the tax paid on gasoline or diesel fuel used off the highway, as long as the request is postmarked no later than one year from the first day of the calendar month following the purchase or use of the fuel.

To request a refund use Comptroller form 06-106 “Texas Claim for Refund of Gasoline or Diesel Fuel Taxes” from the Texas Comptroller web site: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/95-forms.html

Invoices should not be mailed in with the claim form, but should be kept for four years in case an audit is performed.

Mail the form to:

Comptroller of Public Accounts
111 E 17th Street
Austin TX 78774-0100

If you have questions, contact the Texas Comptroller’s office at (800) 252-1383 or (512) 463-4600.