I agree with Bob. It makes no sense to have some guest get a one time license only to get a call 6 months later asking them if they caught any fish in the last two weeks.

As the boat's operator, let me keep the logs, and fine me if you ever stop me and they aren't up to date. You already let charter boats and headboats do it this way, and if I opt in for the added paperwork, why shouldn't I be allowed to as well?

Then just ask me what fish were caught on my boat in a particular timeframe.

You are going to get a lot more info from me, and it will be a lot more cost effective for you, to not have every persons name in a database somewhere.

Enforcement will also be easier since the boat would get a sticker indicating it is under a boat permit policy. You don't need to ask everyone for their license, determine who was an angler and who was a sightseer, and figure who is a ct resident.

After all, isn't the "intent" of this to maintain an anglers registry for data collection purposes?

Just sayin, I know this isn't the DEP's call. But a word to the legislature wouldn't hurt.