HB720

https://www.change.org/p/oppose-nh-hb720-the-ban-on-importation-of-live-bait-into-our-state?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZkslleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeATpnkIvp1HWaWAj9ycmUqk0O98PXe8-H_hu9iJt0pUCuh6WrMWJlK58Q_aem_IUJS6VzGCPEx_PfP1ek0bw

As an avid fisherman and I do also hunt, I believe this bill will only hurt our beautiful state and the outdoor sports for all NH residents that enjoy but the few that rely on the resources of the land.

This bill is a blatant attempt to undermine the fishing industry in our great state and will put bait shops out of business. It will end ice fishing in our state which people travel to our state to do this and will create an economic void for many who rely on this season to get through the winter. Second the ecological impact is we can not sustain the demand on our own wild bait from our state. There are rules in place to limit the ecological impact of imported bait to our state. Many fisherman abide by this because they understand the role they play, unlike the politicians that try and impose there own wants and needs on the people. This bill needs to be shot down.

I oppose this further restriction on fishing in new hampshire. This sport offered HS sports to kids who don't play traditional sports and creates a family community for many who have no other. As I look out my window this morning, I see early ice fisherman enjoying the lake. Why does this need to be regulated and are you a fisherman sponsors?

This would hurt the fishing community and also our local bait stores that thrive on live bait. They also provide the fishing community with the best bait possible. Most people fish to feed their families.

Laws already in place to check in coming bait

I do not support this bill

The passing of this bill has a very strong chance of damaging the outdoorsman fishing and damaging the fish industry in New Hampshire. Also there needs to be thoughts about the revenue stream this could damage. I’m not just talking about fish revenue. It could decrease tourism in a very bad way.

This bill would make traditional fishing methods difficult to impossible to enjoy and achieve. As a lifelong NH resident, former licensed guide, fisherman, hunter, and self proclaimed conservationist, I see this as a direct attack on our traditional outdoor activities. We have strong regulations on the use of baitfish currently which protect our waterways from disease and invasive species. This bill would only put more pressure on existing populations of baitfish as more fishermen would be targeting them for use in the State. Please keep NH tradition and sound biological practices in place by opposing this bill -Steve Cole

I oppose this bill. The waters of the state of NH cannot alone support the demand for baitfish, without importing bait from other states. Anglers, bait shops, and other local business would suffer substantially if this bill were to pass.

This bill would be devastating to the recreational fishing community in New Hampshire both culturally and economically. It could lead to an unseen increase in harvest of wild forage fish in local waterbodies, which would threaten the well being of fish and wildlife that depend on these species.

I would like to oppose this bill. This bill will kill our fisheries and small businesses in the state. There are protocols in place to protect our waters from potential diseased imported bait fish. The government needs to stop trying to mess with the lively hood of so many people by taking away what we love to do. While you’re at it you should ban fishing in general. Also you should ban doe urine for hunting, and other attractants. Where does it end live bait doesn’t affect you. It’s all beach some Karen is sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong because fish have feelings. Bait shops rely on live bait to keep their business going. I just fished the Winni derby this past weekend and every bait dealer couldn’t keep enough bait on hand for the amount of anglers there was. You’re just gonna take all that revenue away from them. That’s only one weekend. This ridiculous that I’m even having to write trying to save live bait. Please use your better judgement and see how much negative I’m pack this is gonna bring to our state.

Fishing is a wonderful childhood memory all of us who have grown up in NH have. It’s a pastime that endures throughout our lives. One of the parts of this is using live bait. The bait that bait shops in NH sells currently is mostly imported from out of state from reputable suppliers and are certified disease free. These bait fish are noninvasive so there is no detrimental effects on the ecosystem if they somehow are not eaten. My husband just started a bait shop last year to help serve our community after the area’s only bait shop closed down. The number of people who come in from our community is wonderful, families and friends picking up bait to go have fun together. There are also a lot of tourists who go fishing while visiting our state. This bill will affect communities in our state negatively. Most people visit bait shops mainly for bait and will then purchase other items while they are there. The only “local” people selling bait (over an hour’s drive for us) are selling specific fish that are used for particular seasons. The main bait most want are golden shiners which are in plentiful supply from southern suppliers and not easily found here. The amount of bait that my husband sells in a weekend is nothing compared to the bait shops around Lake Winnipesaukee. It would be difficult for someone trapping bait to be able to supply my husband’s shop, let alone the shops around Lake Winnipesaukee. This coming weekend is the state derby and many people are participating, including those from out of state. I’m trying to imagine what next year would be like if none of the bait shops were able to provide enough bait for it - they sometimes have trouble as it is. If people can’t get bait for fishing they’ll likely decide to fish somewhere where getting bait isn’t an issue. This means a loss of revenue for the state from tourism, fishing licenses, and eventually putting small businesses out of business. There is nothing positive about this bill.

As the parent of children who love to ice fish in the north country and we have our favorite small bait shops local to us. These shops would not be able to exist if they had to acquire their own bait by trapping/fishing from local streams and rivers. NH does not currently have hatcheries that have provide bait fish for sale thus making it so NH fisherman would have to acquire their bait fish from lakes, rivers and streams. Once this begins occurring on a larger level, there’s risk of overfishing. This is all completely unnecessary and need to continue to allow imported live baitfish from other states.

This bill serves no good purpose. It will decimate small bait shops in the state and eliminate ice fishing as we know it. Fish and Game has already approved the out of state bait vendors for the prevention of disease and invasive species. Please vote against this bill.

I testify that this bill would put considerable strain on our local bait and tackle stores, while also negatively impacting New Hampshires recreational fishing industry by limiting participants of all ages in the sport- which means less revenue for the industry and New Hampshire’s economy as a whole

This Bill is No Good at all . Bait-shops, which are a small business will have to close . People who come from out of state and spend their money here to go Ice fishing will go elsewhere . This bill will hurt the economy in NH. And it will hurt the too many small business owners and most likely put them out of business.

The live bait required to supply the demand of license holders within the state can not be met with locally sourced bait. All imported bait already has to be imported by bait dealer license holders, and the bait has to come from farms where the bait is certified to be disease free. Additionally, only bait that is a native species of NH waterways is allowed to be shipped to the state. To ban the currently regulated importation of live bait would be as absurd as banning pets or farm animals from surrounding states.

There has been a bill introduced into the NH House that would ban the importation of bait fish into the state of New Hampshire. It is HB720. There is no way that NH can meet the demand of almost 190 thousand fishing license holders with their need for live bait fish, without imports from Maine, VT, and other various states. For those of us that ice fish, finding bait would be almost impossible. This is an attempt to interfere with one of our most cherished outdoor activities in NH. Vote NO on HB720.

I have fished NH the last 30 yrs of my life. Banning bait would not only hurt the sports shops , but also the natural resources of NH. The bait is approved by Fish and Game. It will not just impact sports shops, but all small businesses. I come and stay three days at a time and spend money in the community that I am staying in, Food, lodging, clothing, tackle, etc.

It appears that the current system is working and so I oppose any changes in the laws or regulations.

This is a direct attack on fishermen in the state. The species that are legal to import are already found here natively. I oppose this bill.

I strongly oppose this bill for the fact that the state of NH sells hundreds of thousands of fishing licenses each year, and passing this bill will make it nearly impossible for the hundreds of tackle and bait shop owners to sustainably supply bait for fishermen who bring millions of dollars into local economy in the state. There is no sustainable way to supply fishermen with in-state live bait, as we rely on other states in New England and beyond for our baitfish. Stop this bill from passing. Signed: every fishing license holder for the state of New Hampshire.