Fish and Game warns new tuna‑tournament license could cost department more than it raises

Senators heard testimony that House Bill 1833, which would create a special license for nonresident vessel operators participating in tuna tournaments, could cost the department more to implement than it would generate in fees.

"We anticipate that [a new license] would be between $15,000 and $25,000 to add a new license" to the department's system, Renee Zobel, chief of marine fisheries for New Hampshire Fish and Game, told the committee. She said implementing a new licensing type requires IT and rule changes and that the department expects low uptake — noting Maine's similar license reached at most 12 holders in recent years.

Zobel said the department currently collects about $8,000 in nonresident commercial saltwater license revenue and that adding a targeted tournament license with implementation costs could produce a net loss for the agency. Senators asked whether federal permits for highly migratory species apply and discussed a separate derelict‑gear fee proposed in the bill.

After questioning about fees, timing and likely license revenue, committee members moved ITL (inexpedient to legislate). The ITL motion passed by consent. Senators and the department flagged the bill's proposed January 1, 2027 effective date as a concern for rulemaking and IT lead time.