The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) have launched a group to study saltwater fishing permits. The group is scheduled to hold its first public meeting tomorrow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Club.

When Congress re-authorized the federal law controlling saltwater fishing, legislators required the National Marine Fisheries Service to keep track of recreational saltwater fishermen the way the government keeps track of recreational hunters who hunt ducks, woodcock and other migratory birds. For bird hunters, each state issues Harvest Information Program permits — HIP Cards — so officials can keep track of who is taking how much of what birds. In Rhode Island, HIP Cards have been free; in Connecticut next door, an HIP Card costs $2.

Congress wants everyone to have a similar permit if they are fishing for striped bass, sea-run trout and other saltwater fish that spawn in fresh water. Also, anyone fishing in federal waters, between three and 200 miles from shore, would need a saltwater permit so fishing regulators can keep track of what they are catching.

Congress believes the information that’s gathered will allow biologists to make more accurate recommendations about how fishing regulations are crafted. The government already keeps track of what commercial fishermen are catching.

Gordon Colvin, leader of the National Saltwater Angler Registry Team at the National Marine Fisheries Service, is scheduled to attend tomorrow’s meeting to explain the new federal program and how it will apply to Rhode Island fishermen.

If the state does not issue its own saltwater-fishing permit, the federal government will. Next year, a federal permit will be free, but soon the feds will impose a fee, and all of the money collected will go to the U.S. Treasury.

If Rhode Island issues a permit, it could be for free. If the state charges a fee for it, all of the money could go to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The study group held an unpublicized organizational meeting, open by invitation only, last month.

All future meetings will be publicized and open to the public, according to a DEM news release.

The group’s chairmen are Bob Ballou, assistant to the director of DEM, and Steve Medeiros, president of RISAA.

Members include Jeff Barker Jr. of West Bay Anglers; Frank Blount of The Frances Fleet and a member of the New England Fisheries Council; Fred Brown of the Jamestown Striper Club; Michael Bucko of Bucko’s Parts & Tackle and a member of a federal study group; Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina and a member of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association; Robert Ferioli of the Bristol County Striper Club; Bruce Getchell of RISAA; Richard Hittinger, a member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council and RISAA; Edward Kearney of RISAA; Richard Lafaille of the Weekapaug Surfcasters; Daniel Maia of Ocean State Surfcasters; John Mazurak of East Bay Anglers; David Peterson of Narragansett Surfcasters, and John Rainone of the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association.

To get to the Elks Club from Route 95, take Exit 6 and drive two-tenths of a mile north on Route 3.

tmeade@projo.com