[Angler Paul]

The next New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council meeting will be at 4 PM on Wednesday, 5/17 at the Avalon Community Center locate at 3001 Avalon Rd., Avalon, NJ 08202. The Council will either support or reject Commissioner Martin’s recommended 2017 fluke regulations at that time as that is the only action available to them to put a regulation in place at this meeting. The option that will be recommended by Commissioner Martin after lengthy negotiations with the National Marine Fisheries service is a 3 fish bag limit at 18 inch with a 104 day season that will begin on 5/25 and extend through 9/5. This option includes a 17 inch size limit for Delaware Bay and a 16 inch size limit for the shore based anglers at Island Beach State Park with the same seasons. These negotiations were entered into after the ASMFC voted for a 19 inch size limit with a 3 fish bag limit and a 128 day season that could have begun on 5/20 and ended on 9/24. The option included an 18 inch size limit for Delaware Bay and a 17 inch size limit for the shore based anglers at Island Beach State Park with the same seasons. The negotiations were initiated by the recreational fishing groups who went to Commissioner Martin and asked him to maintain the current 2016 regulations even though this would result in New Jersey going out of compliance. If we are declared out of compliance, not only do we shut down the recreational fishery but the commercial fishery would also be shut down.

Earlier this year, JCAA discussed and supported going out of compliance by maintaining the 2016 regulations. JCAA was represented in the conference calls with Commissioner Martin that kept us informed about the negotiations and we were encouraged to offer our input. The final negotiated compromise was not released until Tuesday, May 9. On May 10 this compromise was presented to ASMFC. The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will vote on Wednesday. Given the quick timelines, JCAA does not have time for a formal meeting that would allow club representatives to poll their clubs. JCAA’s commitment to a democratic process will not allow us to change a position without that General Membership vote. Our initial position to stay status quo with the 2016 regulations and support going out of compliance is the only formal position of JCAA. JCAA is encouraging each club to poll their members, develop their own position and attend the meeting on Wednesday night to express it. Individuals are also encouraged to attend this meeting and voice their opinions.
Paul Haertel JCAA Board Member/ Past President