Re: Fishery Management
 

Re: Fishery Management
 

BD in general I agree with you. Believe our distinguished state Senators and Representatives for the most part have done NOTHING to help our cause. There might be exceptions to that statement but I'm not versed enough in past politics to know who they might be.

One thing I do know is if NJ elected to go out of compliance, it not only effects recreational and commercials operators regarding summer flounder, it effects all fisheries I believe outside the EEZ zone or three miles from shore. Basically it shuts every fishery down. That's not an option I believe anyone wants to consider.

As far as money is concerned, unfortunately the recreational community doesn't have it and is poorly organized. Without it, the only hope we have lies in the data and making as many people as possible aware of what the data is telling us and the impact regulations are having on the health of the fishery and disproportionate allocation of the resource. There's a 60 / 40 split in catch quota every year favoring commercials to start with, then factor in the portion of the biomass commercials have access to (14" and above) relative to recreational in NJ @18', Va @18.5 and NY, Ct and RI @ 19", the disparity in proportionate access to the resource is staggering. Don't believe Magnuson Stevens Act or subsequent re-authorizations had that intention in mind.

In my opinion, bringing those facts to the Council and Committees publicly and being relentless making this knowledge public involving arguably the most vital fishery of the Mid-Atlantic States is the course of action and path in my opinion we need to follow. I might be completely off target on this but that's the approach I'm going with using their own data to support my findings and conclusions.

Re: Fishery Management
 

How many politicians have actually fought for our fishing rights? Not many. They showed up for picture oppurtunities during the rallies, did their little speeches on how they would fight for us recreational fishermen and, left. Thats it! We have so little representation in the state and D.C. it is so pathetic.

Re: Fishery Management
 

Tom Dakota passion and analytical skills have opened a new dialogue with both sides of the regulatory process. Hopefully this equates to some accountability on the failures of on going regulations as Tom states it's their data. This is a new path without the state or DC politicians although I suspect eventually it could end up there but if it does it will be because Tom is correct and if so they can't hide from their own data.
All I know is that I am glad he is doing this and it has renewed my hope to a better fishing future so happy to give him all the help and support required. Why not. If it fails we tried and if it succeeds we will have been part of a solution. Keep at it Tom!

Re: Fishery Management
 

I cannot agree with you anymore. Using their own numbers and data to show them facts not guesses as they seem to be doing.

Re: Fishery Management
 

They haven't done a thing .
They are too afraid of all the fisheries being closed down .
.
What I can say is the president of the ASA is Chris Megan from On the water magazine .
If more guys pushed letters towards him possibly more help could come to NJ .
.
The meeting held at the Edison shoe showed a glimmer of hope . But honestly haven't seen much since . .
Topics are only hot when kept in their face

Re: Fishery Management
 

thank you and i know there are some that are doing way more than their share
and i for one commend them for it.so then it is safe to say that after 30 years
of trying and nothing at all happening we should just keep doing the things we have been doing for 30 years?????just think of the things that have happened in
the last 30 years in this country and we can't even come up with a marine fisheries management plan that makes sense for comm and rec peeps?????
hammer,dales,dakota and all who are up and fighting,i wish you well.i for one will
just fish as i see fit.

Re: Fishery Management
 

Name one fish you can catch in New Jersey waters 12 months out of the year. That is part of the problem, that and a million people fishing for over 200 types of fish, the sun doesn't rise and set because of fluke.

Re: Fishery Management
 

Actually fluke are the most sought after Fish in NJ.
Freshwater fisherman are only about 10% of the overall group .and many of those fish both.
Losing a much sought after fish sets the stage for less sought after fish.
And also adds to the pressure on those other fisheries .
Can only imagine how bad you would cry if a million anglers decided to come fish for trout .
Or better yet decided they would rather promote all bass fisheries and drop trout

Re: Fishery Management
 

Stop with the "what ifs", and comparing saltwater to freshwater is like comparing apples to oranges.