The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is an independent state agency responsible for the regulation of all

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from fish stocking, stocked bodies of water such as fish pond, ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. ...

and

boating Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, suc ...

in the state of

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

within the

United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...

. Unlike many U.S. states, Pennsylvania has a separate Game Commission. Its mission is: to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth's aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. Created by law signed on March 23, 1866 by Governor Andrew Curtin, its original main purpose was to restore

fish migration Fish migration is mass relocation by fish from one area or body of water to another. Many types of fish migrate on a regular basis, on time scales ranging from daily to annually or longer, and over distances ranging from a few metres to thousa ...

s of

American shad The American shad (''Alosa sapidissima'') is a species of anadromous clupeid fish naturally distributed on the North American coast of the North Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Florida, and as an introduced species on the North Pacific coast. Th ...

within the rivers. Today, its scope manages boat launches, waterways, fish hatcheries, and other properties used for recreational fishing and boating. It also regulates the accessibility through dams on major waterways via fish ladders. Ten members make up the Board of Commissioners who oversee all operations, serving 8-year terms without pay. Among others, the Commission employs waterway conservation officers and

biologist A biologist is a scientist who conducts research in biology. Biologists are interested in studying life on Earth, whether it is an individual cell, a multicellular organism, or a community of interacting populations. They usually specialize ...

s, while also utilizing volunteer deputy conservation officers and volunteer instructors to serve the public. The conservation officers are assigned to various districts across the Commonwealth, where—in addition to fish and boat

law enforcement Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. The term ...

—they conduct boating and fishing schools,

fish stocking Fish stocking is the practice of raising fish in a hatchery and releasing them into a river, lake or ocean to supplement existing populations or to create a population where previously none exists. Stocking may be done for the benefit of commerci ...

public relations Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing and disseminating information from an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) to the public in order to influence their perception. ...

work, and investigate

water pollution Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities, so that it negatively affects its uses. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. ...

violations. The Commission's first fishing license was issued in 1922, and they have been continually issued annually since; in 2007, they were converted to the Point of Sale computerized system. These licenses are valid on December 1 of the preceding year until December 31 of the license year. They also issue boat registrations, which are for a two-year period, expiring on March 31 of the year of expiration. Because the agency is a Commission, funds from purchasing licenses directly benefits the protection and conservation of aquatic resources; it is not supported by general fund state-tax money. However, the Commission does receive a portion of federal excise taxes through

sporting goods Sports equipment, sporting equipment, also called sporting goods, are the tools, materials, apparel, and gear used to compete in a sport and varies depending on the sport. The equipment ranges from balls, nets, and protective gear like helmets. ...

and marine fuel taxation.

Law enforcement

Fishing and boating regulations are enforced by Waterways Conservation Officers. WCOs are employed by the Fish and Boating Commission and are police officers certified by the Pennsylvania State Police Municipal Police Officers Training Standards. Officers patrol on foot, in vehicles and on boats, and are certified boating safety instructors. Training consists of 26 weeks basic police officer training, followed by a further 26 weeks specialist training for the role.

External links

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission homepageMission statement of the PFBCPFBC page to purchase fishing licensesSummary of Pennsylvania fishing regulationsPFBC page to register or title a boatSummary of Pennsylvania boating regulations

References

{{authority control Government of Pennsylvania State agencies of Pennsylvania Government agencies established in 1866 1866 establishments in Pennsylvania State law enforcement agencies of Pennsylvania State wildlife and natural resource agencies of the United States

Law enforcement

See also

External links

References