Nag's Head Committee Proposes Funding for Tournament Data Gathering

According to the Associated Press, a committee has recommended that revenue from saltwater fishing licenses go toward projects that include a data collection system and youth fishing programs.

The North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License Advisory Committee has agreed that 12 of 19 programs requesting should get a grant. Its recommendation goes to the state Marine Fisheries Commission, which meets in November.

The advisory committee has collected about $7.9 million since the licenses were required as of Jan. 1, 2007. After deducting costs for other obligations and fisheries projects, the fund has about $4.3 million.

The North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License Advisory Committee has determined that at least 12 of 19 requested programs should be funded from the nearly 8 million dollars in licensing fees collected since Jan. 1 2007.

One of the projects listed is a text messaging system for collecting catch and effort data on South Carolina King Mackerel tournament anglers.