Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

Once it gets to the State or Federal level ( Politics) which it ALWAYS does, its actually another case of FUNDING a cause. Some do it better than others. We (recreational anglers) don't do it as well as "others"
Support your clubs!.

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

I know that the NJOA favors the compromise and believe that the RFA and Garden State Seafood also support it. However, the JCAA has always voted for no compromise so that is our current stance. The matter will discussed at our general membership meeting tomorrow night but I do not expect our posiotion to change. Below is Tom's Fote's artcicle from the JCAA April newsletter which explains why we mosly likely continue to be opposed to any compromise.

Paul Haertel
2nd VP JCAa

Pots Off the Reefs: No Compromise! by Tom Fote

I am asking all the member clubs of JCAA to say no to the compromise proposed by DEP. That compromise does not eliminate pots from all of New Jersey’s artificial reefs. It sets a bad precedent for our hope to remove all pots from the federal reefs as well. JCAA is always committed to fighting battles for the long term and to look at the future of fishing for our children, not just ourselves. We should not give away our children’s legacies just because we are tired of the fight. I have been dealing with legislation and regulation for 35 years and my recommendation is that JCAA does not change our existing vote and continue to support the removal of all pots from New Jersey’s 15 artificial reefs. Please read the information below for a brief history. I hope this will help you understand why I am not supporting this compromise.

It has been an interesting two months in the continuing battle to remove all pots off the artificial reefs in New Jersey. There was great news from the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council when the Council moved forward to set up special management zones (SMZ) in federal waters for Delaware’s artificial reefs. After 18 months of discussion, the Council sent its recommendation to the Northeast Regional Director, John Bullock, recommending that these special management zones should be set up and exclude fish pots from Delaware’s artificial reefs in federal waters. The Council determined these reefs should be for hook and line and spear fishing. As an example, the Council cited that Delaware had already taken this step in state waters and this was a progression of the existing management for artificial reefs. I discussed this with the Northeast Regional Director and he commented that the reefs were built with recreational money and there should be no pots. After my conversation with him, I was confident that he would approve the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and order pots off Delaware’s reefs in federal waters.

As you all know, New Jersey’s recreational anglers have been pushing for the same action for our artificial reefs from both the state and federal government. Seven years ago, JCAA was asked to join a coalition under the banner of Reef Rescue to get the pots off New Jersey’s reefs. Under this umbrella there were many recreational groups in attendance at the first meetings. I represented JCAA and stated our position. JCAA was clear that this new organization must commit to no compromise on removing all pots from the reefs and stay the course for the long haul. JCAA had experience with long term projects such as making striped bass a game fish and removing the menhaden reduction boats from state waters. In both situations other partners in the coalitions had changed their stand in favor of commercial fishermen. From the beginning, JCAA was clear that we would not commit our energy and time if this new organization could not commit to the many years it would take to resolve this issue in our favor. We were assured by Reef Rescue and its members that everyone was committed to the long haul. After the first year, the Recreational Fishing Alliance decided to work more with the commercial fishermen to find a solution that would allow the commercial fishermen to continue to put pots on portions of the artificial reef. They dropped out of Reef Rescue and the remaining organizations moved forward in this coalition to move all pots off the reefs.

After Reef Rescue was in existence for a period of time, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance was formed. Eventually Reef Rescue, NJSFSC, NJ Dive Council and JCAA joined the NJOA and removing the pots from the reefs became a high priority for all organizations. Reef Rescue, JCAA, the Dive Association, and many other recreational groups worked tirelessly to develop the contacts in the NJ Legislature that would be necessary to pass a favorable bill. Under the direction of the Senate Presidents (Cody & Sweeney) the favorable bill was passed by the full Senate in 3 separate sessions, including almost unanimous passage in the current session. In these 3 sessions there has been overwhelming support in the NJ Assembly. A majority of the Assembly are cosponsors to a bill that would remove Pots Off the Reefs. However, the Speaker (first Roberts & now Oliver) has never posted this legislation for a vote. They have allowed Assemblyman Albano to hold this bill in his committee and never allow for a hearing.

Assemblyman Albano and Senator Van Drew introduced a bill that would allow fish pots on up to 19% of the 2 state reefs. At the hearing on this bill, JCAA, Reef Rescue, NJOA, NJSFSC and every recreational group that testified opposed this bill with the exception of the RFA that spoke in favor of the bill. The Albano bill moved through the Assembly committee but was never posted for a vote by Speaker Oliver at our request. NJOA and Reef Rescue organized demonstrations outside the offices of Assemblymen Albano and Senator Van Drew outside their Cape May offices to protest this committee vote. That is where we stand right now with the legislation. JCAA has continued to hope that during the upcoming election season there would be enough pressure in the Assembly to get the favorable Senate Bill posted for a vote. We hope the continued work of the coalition would result in a vote.

When we first started working on to get the pots off the reefs, we tried to resolve the problem by developing regulations that would need approval by the NJ Marine Fisheries Council. I spent much time at meetings to no avail. When the NJ Marine Fisheries Council Pot Committee recommended their suggested compromise, it went nowhere. The commercial fishermen on the Council recommended a substitute proposal that was more to their liking. JCAA had little hope that we would get a solution through the NJ Marine Fisheries Council, since recreational anglers representatives on the council are in a minority. We have had the same problems when trying to work on solutions for menhaden and striped bass because of the lopsided membership in the Council and JCAA had to do it through legislation. It took awhile for our colleagues, who had less experience with the NJ Marine Fisheries Council, to realize legislation was the only hope of a positive solution.

About a year ago, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin made another attempt at a regulatory solution. There were many different proposals suggested, some of which were supported by JCAA, Reef Rescue and NJOA. The Commissioner asked if we would support creating additional artificial reefs that would allow for the inclusion of fish pots. The coalition would have supported this compromise. Of course, this proposal was turned down since a segment of the commercial community (scallopers, draggers and gill netters) oppose all artificial reefs. This is one of the reasons they are working with the potters, to keep them on the existing reefs and not have to deal with additional barriers as they fish. At various times throughout this process, members of JCAA, NJOA and Reef Rescue have voted overwhelmingly to maintain the existing policy and consider no compromise that would leave any pots on the existing reefs. I was clear with Commissioner Martin that JCAA would not support any compromise that did not meet this criteria.

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

February 7th, Commissioner Martin sent the NJOA a draft proposal for regulations for the artificial reefs. As the Albano Bill allows pots on segments of the inshore reefs, so does the draft proposal from Commissioner Martin. To placate the recreational groups, Commissioner Martin pledged to work for the establishment of an additional artificial reef in state waters that would equal the percentages of space allowed for fish pots on the two exiting reefs. The letter is not legislation or actual regulation so it is a bit vague and not at all specific. As all of us know, the details are the crucial element in any settlement. The proposal is also for regulations which would need approval at the NJ Marine Fisheries Council. Our history there is not positive. It takes the Council forever to reach a decision and frequently what we thought might be a yes vote is changed to a no at the last minute. That starts the process all over again. This also delays any attempt to impact legislation since we can’t really work on legislation to remove all the pots if we have accepted a tentative compromise. My real concern is that any agreement to allow some access by potters to the inshore reefs will send a message to the Mid-Atlantic Council that a compromise would be okay for the reefs in federal waters. This would set us back years! There are some who believe the compromise on the table would allow New Jersey to use Sport Fish Restoration Fund for our artificial reef program. This logic is flawed. First, the Sport Fish Restoration money is already in the Bureau of Marine Fisheries budget, it just can’t be used for artificial reefs. Second, the administration could currently move money around in the budget to fund artificial reefs and the program. We just don’t see the commitment given how little money is currently available. There is no way to find the level of funding that was available in the past unless new money is added to the budget to replace moving the Sportfishing money back to artificial reefs.

For the last 18 months, it has become obvious that some of the leadership in the coalition is tired and frustrated. Some would like to accept a compromise just to make the problem go away. Unlike the members of JCAA who are accustomed to long-term battles, some of our allies have never been in this position before. At JCAA we don’t fight battles for just ourselves but for future anglers. We measure time in accomplishment not just days. We have worked for years to develop relationships with legislators based on honesty and commitment. It sends a bad message to them when we have held them to a higher standard than we have for ourselves. They had an opportunity to accept this compromise legislation but we told them no. Will they really believe us the next time we ask them to take a hard vote? In my time at JCAA I have worked with 8 Governors and multiple DEP Commissioners. Things change but legislation is a better guarantee. For all the reasons stated above, I am asking you to protect JCAA’s legacy and vote for the future.

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

Point 1 : We could have had Lot's of reef addition years ago had the enviro's allowed hundreds of Subway cars to be put in place along the Jersey coast instead of sending them out of State, where they were welcomed with open arms!!

Point 2: By the time new structure and reefs are built, (If) they are built will most likely take 5 years. IN 5 years with the regs the way they are going, your not going to be allowed to fish for anything anyway.

Point 3: Why is it always the "Recs" that have to compromise??

Point 4: Where is the money going to come from now to build these reefs, the public certainly isn't going to contribute like they have in the past!!

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

Why would anybody be surprised at this move, especially after what we saw what the Governor didn't do (TWO times) to protect our Bunker.
I have said this over and over.
Pay attention to District 1. Cape May is driving the bus.
This is another great example of how much our millions of rec fishing revenue dollars of revenue and our votes are worth to our administration.
The recreational angling community and in this case, divers too, are getting the short end of the stick.AGAIN.

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen...
This is my first post on this website infact I have only done this once or twice on a different site.
With that said I have been reading the comments on numerous sites regarding this topic and decided to send a short email to this thread.
Whatever the final outcome is, in states waters or in federal waters, I would be happy to attend any meeting to discuss these issues with any and all of you.
It is a difficult topic and we would all be much better off communicating in person.
Thank you
Greg DiDomenico
Garden State Seafood Association

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

If you have nothing to say now, I cant imagine you will at a meeting.

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

I am absolutley willing to attend a meeting to speak with concerned recreational folks on this topic.

Like many of the issues facing all of us there are not always simple answers but I beleive an open dialogue may create solutions.
Thanks

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

Interesting read on page 13:

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2012/comregs12.pdf

Re: DEP Release: Christie Administration Will Create Artificial Reef for Recreational Fi
 

Nothing to discuss get your goddamn pots of the artificial reefs that WE paid for.
End of discussion