[Angler Paul]

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.