NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 5/31 Manahawkin
 

The NJDEP will host an informal industry meeting ( tackle shops, charter and head boat and marina operators tackle and bait sales people) on May 31st, at 6:30pm. It will be at the Holiday Inn , on Route 72 East in Manahawkin, NJ 08050. Ext 63 off the parkway. The subject is how to try to gain more sea bass access in light of the fluke day losses.

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 6/31 Manahawkin
 

Hey good look the title says 6-31 but post says May 31 so which is it? Ya know not everyone who reads this is as bright as bulb as you zagorskhacks.....

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 6/31 Manahawkin
 

Was originally scheduled February 30th

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 6/31 Manahawkin
 

Sorry about that it's 5/31

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 5/31 Manahawkin
 

It would be just like the state to schedule on a date that doesn't exist.

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 5/31 Manahawkin
 

Just so everyone is on the same page, this meeting is for party and charter boat captains, tackle shop owners, bait dealers, and tackle reps and manufacturers. This meeting is not for fishing organizations, clubs, or the general public. It was set up for members of the recreational fishing industry only. There is a lot at stake and much work needs to be done. We are all trying to keep our businesses going and our customers fishing. Thanks for understanding.

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 5/31 Manahawkin
 

Wish there was a little more notice to be able to attend. Not always possible to turn schedule upside down unfortunately....

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 5/31 Manahawkin
 

What's the reasoning behind NJDEP setting up an industry only meeting?

Re: NJ DEP Sea Bass Meeting 5/31 Manahawkin
 

They want to get feedback from the Industry people Duff.... Lots of backlash from the Industry people when the new Fluke deal/regs got put in place so this is their opportunity to let the industry people know the reasoning behing their decision to go with the new 3 @ 18 Fluke regs with a shortened season.

They also want to try and get more favorable Sea Bass regs to try and fill the September gap when we can no longer fish for Fluke.

The Sea Bass stocks according the feds data is fully rebuilt and there are positive trends for recruitment as well yet we are stuck with the same punitive regulations we had last year? According to their data, this is not the case with the Fluke stocks so an attempt on the NJDEPs part to get the feds to give us better access and more reasonable regulations on a stock that's been rebuilt.

Seems like a logical approach to me given where we are at with Fluke but we all know how logic seems to allude federal fisheries management ranks.

I think there will also be some discussion on where we go next year on Fluke as well..... A shorter season with smaller fish tends to suit South Jersey better while a longer season with larger fish suits Northern Jersey better. Why not split the state and let North and South each have their own season??