RFA-NJ ACTION ALERT - Thursday, December 3 at 10 a.m.
Saltwater Registry Hearing In Trenton
Anglers are reminded to take part in this week's meeting of the NJ Senate Envionrment Committee on Thursday, December 3 at 10 a.m. in Room 10 on the third floor of the State House Annex in Trenton. On the agenda is Senate Bill 2194 sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) and co-sponsored by Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), a bill which would create a free recreational saltwater registry in New Jersey to comply with new federal fisheries guidelines for data collection.
As written S2194 would specifically direct the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Marine Fisheries Council, to establish and implement a registry program for saltwater recreational anglers modeled on the registry program to be established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). New federal registry requirements will take effect on January 1, 2010.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance supports efforts to establish a free registry, and we're asking that RFA-NJ and RFA-PA members to make plans to be in Trenton on Thursday morning to showsupport. "We would really like to see the state do what Senator Van Drew wants to do," said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio.
The State House is located at 125 West State Street in Trenton, NJ 08625. Metered, on-street parking is available along West State Street, while there are several pay lots located within walking distance. Handicap parking is available in the parking garage and on West State Street in front of the State House and Annex and across the street from the State House.
For more information, visit the New Jersey Legislature homepage at
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.
About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, visit
www.joinrfa.org.
