FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION [ 58 PA. CODE CH. 65 ] Special Fishing Regulations; Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program [44 Pa.B. 1764]
[Saturday, March 22, 2014]The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) amends Chapter 65 (relating to special fishing regulations). The Commission is publishing this final-form rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code) (code).
A. Effective Date
The final-form rulemaking will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
B. Contact Person
For further information on the final-form rulemaking, contact Laurie E. Shepler, Esq., P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This final-form rulemaking is available on the Commission's web site at www.fish.state.pa.us.
C. Statutory Authority
Section 65.20 (relating to Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program) is published under the statutory authority of section 2102 of the code (relating to rules and regulations).
D. Purpose and Background
Most often, parents or guardians are the source of both instruction and serve as mentors to young anglers and hunters. The role of a mentor is that of long-term development and socialization. An instructor can teach someone to fish, while a mentor helps them become an angler (Duda M.D., 2010). That is, while proper instruction is important, it alone does not guarantee adoption. This is especially true if a mentor or other social support is absent.
Benefits of mentored experiences also extend to the parents or mentors. A 2007 survey of trout anglers in this Commonwealth showed that 98% of those surveyed would go trout fishing more if asked by a child (Responsive Management, 2008). Of that number, 84% indicated that being asked by a child to take them fishing was a strong encouragement to go trout fishing more in this Commonwealth.
Mentored opportunities differ from educational programs significantly in that mentored experiences extend beyond the instructional period. Mentors plan and discuss the trip with apprentices before, during and after. An instructor only has contact with the young angler during the presentation. It is this premise on which youth hunts and mentored hunting programs are based (DJ Case & Associates, 2007) (Responsive Management, 2011) (Responsive Management and Southwick Associates, 2012). This premise is the supporting rationale behind the Commission's Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program.
On March 23, 2013, the Commission piloted a Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on 12 waters in the regional opening day zone, covering 18 southcentral and southeast counties. This day was accomplished by the Commission's Executive Director, acting under the authority of § 65.25 (relating to temporary changes to fishing regulations). The temporary change was published at 43 Pa.B. 114 (January 5, 2013).
To participate, anglers 16 years of age or older (adult anglers) were required to possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and current trout/salmon permit and be accompanied by a youth, less than 16 years of age, who registered with the Commission. Youth anglers must have been registered with the Commission and accompanied by an adult angler to participate. During the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, the minimum size limit for trout was 7 inches and the creel limit was two trout per day (combined species). Other Commonwealth inland regulations applied. It was unlawful for adult anglers to fish in waters designated under the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day Program without a valid fishing license and trout permit and without being accompanied by a registered youth.
A total of 5,110 youth registered to participate in the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day pilot, accompanied by 3,846 adult mentors. A survey of mentors conducted by the Commission showed that 90% of the registered youth participated, resulting in an estimated 7,300 youth and their mentors taking part. These anglers fished an estimated 22,000 hours and released nearly 15,000 trout while harvesting slightly more than 6,000. Public, partner and staff feedback received before, during and immediately after the pilot day was predominantly positive. The results of the 2013 pilot program support expansion of the program to create additional opportunities for parents and mentors to take the children in their lives fishing as a way to reactivate anglers of all ages.
E. Summary of Change
Under this final-form rulemaking, the Executive Director may annually designate Mentored Youth Fishing Days and, when doing so, he will identify the species, waters, dates, creel and minimum size limits and other limitations that will apply. The specific details of these mentored youth fishing opportunities will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The Commission also will post the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program guidelines to the Commission's web site and promote it through various media outlets.
On final-form rulemaking, the Commission adopts § 65.20 with the following changes. In the proposed regulation, youth anglers (less than 16 years of age) were required to be ''registered'' with the Commission. However, the Commission determined that it is preferable to issue permits to youth anglers instead of registering them through other means. Youth anglers will be able to obtain a permit from the Commission free of charge through the existing Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service (PALS). Issuance of permits through PALS will allow the Commission to collect information regarding youth anglers. Specifically, this process will provide the Commission with more customer data for marketing purposes and allow for better assessment of lifelong license buying habits.
In addition to the free permit, the Commission will accept a voluntary youth fishing license for youth wishing to participate in the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program. Voluntary youth fishing licenses will be available through PALS for $1, and the Commission will be able to count them as licenses for the purpose of leveraging Sport Fish Restoration dollars from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Regardless of whether the youth opts for a free permit or a voluntary license, he will be issued a document that will resemble an adult license and will be able to be displayed for the purpose of participating in Mentored Youth Fishing Day opportunities.
On final-form rulemaking, the Commission also includes language requiring adult anglers to obtain a trout/salmon permit when the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program relates to trout. This requirement is consistent with other special fishing regulations in Chapter 65 dealing with trout.
The Commission adds § 65.20 to read as set forth in Annex A.
F. Paperwork
The final-form rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will not create new paperwork requirements.
G. Fiscal Impact
The final-form rulemaking will not have an adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions. The final-form rulemaking will not impose new costs on the private sector or the general public.
H. Public Involvement
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 43 Pa.B. 7099 (December 7, 2013). The Commission did not receive public comments concerning the proposed rulemaking.
Findings
The Commission finds that:
(1) Public notice of intention to adopt the amendment adopted by this order has been given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.
(2) A public comment period was provided, and the Commission did not receive public comments concerning the proposed rulemaking.
(3) The adoption of the amendment of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for administration and enforcement of the authorizing statutes.
Order
The Commission, acting under the authorizing statutes, orders that:
(a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 65, are amended by adding § 65.20 to read as set forth in Annex A.
(b) The Executive Director will submit this order and Annex A to the Office of Attorney General for approval as to legality and form as required by law.
(c) The Executive Director shall certify this order and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(d) This order shall take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
JOHN A. ARWAY,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48A-252 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.
Annex A TITLE 58. RECREATION PART II. FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION Subpart B. FISHING CHAPTER 65. SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS § 65.20. Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program.
(a) The Executive Director may annually designate Mentored Youth Fishing Days. As part of the designation, the Executive Director will identify the species, waters, dates, creel and minimum size limits and other applicable limitations. The designation will be effective upon publication of a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(b) It is unlawful to fish in waters designated as part of the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program except in compliance with the following requirements when participating in the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program:
(1) Anglers shall adhere to the limitations as established by the Executive Director by notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(2) An angler 16 years of age or older shall be accompanied by a youth, less than 16 years of age, who has obtained a mentored youth permit or a voluntary youth fishing license from the Commission.
(3) A youth angler shall obtain a mentored youth permit or a voluntary youth fishing license from the Commission and be accompanied by an angler 16 years of age or older.
(4) A current trout/salmon permit is required for an angler 16 years of age or older when participating in a Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program that relates to trout.
(c) Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, an angler in a boat may possess fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for the water from which taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the water designated as part of the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler takes out his boat at an access point within the water designated as part of the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-584. Filed for public inspection March 21, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
