So as I said, I am attempting to do anything I can for this cause. I wrote directly to the DEP asking for serious considerations of what the current regulations may cause. Here is the response received:
RE: Contact NJDEP E-Mail #009147-NHR
DEP njfishandwildlife to you + 1 moreshow details
Our staff is well aware of the impact of the new regulations, and the impact of the original parameters from the ASMFC. The 18" limit is the same as last year - in fact the same limit it's been since 2014 when it was raised from 17.5". The DEP Commissioner, recreational interests and this agency worked hard to come up with this compromise being accepted, meeting with federal officials and lobbying strongly on behalf of the state since at least January (see
http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0006.htm ). But we do need to comply with the federal mandate to lower the catch. And we have been found out of compliance with the current regulations which will likely lead to another battle for next year. But our staff, and senior staff in DEP have worked tirelessly in the interests of the state's anglers, and the businesses which rely on them, to get the best possible outcome for this year. PT
Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
908-637-4125 x114
njfishandwildlife@dep.nj.gov
www.njfishandwildlife.com
www.facebook.com/njfishandwildlife
-----Original Message-----
From:
contactdep@dep.nj.gov.-.do.not.reply [mailto:contactdep@dep.nj.gov.-.do.not.reply]
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 8:47 AM
To: DEP depwebinbox <depwebinbox@dep.nj.gov>
Subject: Contact NJDEP E-Mail #009147-NHR
