Nj marine fisheries council meets today

[dales529]

The New Jersey chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA-NJ) reminds saltwater anglers that the state's Marine Fisheries Council will meet this this afternoon, January 8th at 3 p.m. at the Galloway Township Branch of the Atlantic County Library. The meeting at 306 East Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway is open to the public.



Of particular interest on the council agenda for saltwater anglers and RFA-NJ members is that "possible action" could be taken on 2015 management measures for striped bass, as well as proposed regulations by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) on the state's artificial reef program (click here for today's New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council Agenda).



The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted to reduce coastwide harvest of striped bass beginning in 2015, with all states looking at options to reduce the catch by 25% or better. As noted earlier this week in the Asbury Park Press, options to be discussed at Thursday's hearing in Galloway include nine original choices outlined by ASMFC, as well as two specific options formulated by the New Jersey Bureau of Marine Fisheries including one striper from 29 to 36 inches with another over 36 inches; and one bass from 28 to 42 inches with another over 42 inches.



Following today's Marine Fisheries Council meeting in Galloway, another public hearing on striped bass is set for Monday, January 12th at 7 p.m. at the Toms River Township Administrative Building, L.M. Hirshblond Room at 33 Washington Street in Toms River.



RFA and the RFA-NJ are also hopeful that discussion regarding New Jersey's artificial reef program and the ongoing issue with fixed gear will also will be more than productive on Thursday.



"After looking at the proposal laid out by the DEP to alleviate the commercial potting problem at New Jersey's artificial reefs, RFA is optimistic for 2015 being the year that the issue is ultimately addressed," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio. "It's been an uphill battle in terms of both the legal and regulatory debate, but RFA appreciates the effort by the Christie administration and the DEP to see this thing through.



The state is proposing a regulatory amendment to existing code which would limit the use of lobster, fish and conch pots on artificial reefs in State waters, including the two existing New Jersey artificial reefs: the Sandy Hook Reef and the Axel J. Carlson Jr. Reef. The total reef area for both sites is close to 5-1/2 square miles, and the combined area where potters would be allowed to set gear would be 0.91 square miles total.



The DEP announced previously that a new reef site would be built off the Central Jersey coast to make up for any new 'full access zones' granted at Axel Carlson and Sandy Hook sites where both hook and line and fixed gear fishing would be allowed simultaneously.



"This proposal will make sure that the majority of these reef sites are free of pots and bottom runners that anglers have been snagging while drift fishing, it will protect the most valuable reef structure from further gear damage, and the new rule will also limit the number of pots deployed," Donofrio said. "It will be good to finally lay this problem to rest and move forward with the more important things, like building new reefs and catching more fish."

[Fish The Drop Off]

Please not that the meeting starts at 4pm not 3pm Per the agenda.

[tautog]

I thought I smelled bs when I woke up this morning.

[pgoins]

I really wish they would move these meeting locations to a more central location. I always hear guys complain that there's never enough of us at the meetings. There are so many NJ fisherman in northern and central NJ that just can't get all the way down to Galloway at 4:00 on a Thursday.

I know many of the southern guys say their numbers were down last year, but here in Raritan bay area we had great numbers. Heck some boats are still catching ocean side.

IMO i really don't care what they do. I don't keep much anyway. But would like to able to attend these meetings to stay involved.

[Invisible Ralph]

I'm sure they'll figure out a way to mess things up once again, they always do!

[dales529]

Recreational Fishing Alliance
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732 For Immediate Release
January 9, 2015


NJ COUNCIL SUPPORTS NEW STRIPER REGULATIONS

Proposed Limits for 2015 Must Now Be Considered by Legislature



The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council unanimously voted to support a two fish bag limit for striped bass beginning sometime in 2015, with one fish at 28 to less than 43 inches, and a second fish equal to or greater than 43 inches.



Yesterday's decision at the council's regular meeting in Galloway Township must now be picked up by New Jersey legislators, as any changes to striped bass regulations in the state must be made through Trenton by an act of law.



It is expected that both a Senate and Assembly bill will be adopted next week, with the appropriate committees in Trenton then responsible for reviewing, discussing and ultimately approving the change before it can be voted on by the full legislature.



The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) recently mandated a 25% or better reduction by all coastal states on striped bass harvest beginning in 2015, with ASMFC technical committee members approving New Jersey's proposal of one striper at less than 43 and one striper at 43 or greater as meeting that 25% reduction goal.



As for New Jersey's bonus striped bass program which utilizes the unused commercial quota of striped bass through a $2 tag system, the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council also voted to convene their striped bass advisory committee to look at possible changes to the program.



The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) also put forward a new regulatory proposal for fixed gear on New Jersey's artificial reef sites which was unanimously approved by the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. NJDEP expects the new regulations to go into effect before the summer and should help improve public access at Axel Carlson and Sandy Hook reef sites in New Jersey coastal waters.



On the fluke front, the next important meeting coming up for public comment for New Jersey anglers is Monday, January 12th at the Toms River Township Administrative Building, L.M. Hirshblond Room at 33 Washington Street in Toms River. This meeting will not be focused on striped bass, but on Draft Addendum XXVI for summer flounder management.







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, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

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[Capt Sal]

New Jersey is a producer state. What reductions will be imposed on the non producer states? I guess we are going to follow NY with the second fish being strictly a breeder. There are better ways to reduce the catch by 25%. With the average angler fighting a striper that is 42" the mortality rate is bad when releasing it. We will see what happens!