The Salmonid Rules have been in place for many years and are not new:
-No person shall have live lake trout, landlocked salmon, brook trout, black bass, northern pike, or black crappie in their possession, except if the person is a bass tournament permittee or is an aquaculturist permittee or has a permit to import, possess, or release these fish.
-Release of fish in waters other than where caught is prohibited. Fish must be returned to the water where taken.
-Culling of fish, except during permitted bass tournaments, is prohibited.
Source:
http://www.eregulations.com/newhamps...awful-actions/
During past Rotary Tournaments, most anglers were breaking the law when they transported these species to the board alive.
The derby added the other species to the "must be dead before" list for a uniform system at the podium. Apparently, most folks didn't realize they were breaking the law, hence the up in arms about the MRD changing its policy. F&G is obviosly tired of turning a blind eye to this activity, during this tournament.
It is a rule that you agreed to follow when you signed your fishing or hunting license.
Fish and Game holds public hearings about these types of rule implementations all year long, feel free to stop by or write in to express a concern or point you feel is valid.