You Gave - You Got

[Gerry Zagorski]

Here’s a press release from the RFA. Hats off to everyone who worked so hard to get this done and all of you who support the RFA through membership and donations.

You Gave - You Got!

For those of you who are not members, please consider joining the RFA by visiting this site www.joinrfa.org You can also visit here and make a donation https://www.gofundme.com/f/rfanj-cha...cp+share-sheet

For those of you who own fishing related businesses, if you would like to become an associate member of United Boatmen of NJ, you can send $50 (or more) to United Boatmen, 430 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine NJ 08270.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John DePersenaire (609) 294-3810
jdepersenaire@joinrfa.org


RFA and RFA-NJ Express Gratitude for Industry Reopening
Welcomes Governor’s Announcement of Increased Capacity

New Jersey (May 22, 2020) - In light of the recent announcements by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy allowing limited resumption of for-hire vessel businesses and boat rentals in New Jersey, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and its New Jersey Chapter (RFA-NJ) took a moment before the Memorial Day weekend to thank the many groups and individuals that have worked tirelessly in recent weeks to provide for this opportunity.

“RFA and the RFA-NJ expresses gratitude to Governor Murphy and his staff for the time spent on consideration of proposals put forth by industry, and for ultimately making the decision to let the for-hire vessels get back on the water,” said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio.

“A big thanks for the support by Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine McCabe and Assistant Commissioner Ray Bukowski, and of course the great staff at the Marine Fisheries Administration and Bureau of Marine Fisheries for the heavy lift,” said RFA-NJ acting chairman Capt. Adam Nowalsky.

After being shut down for most of the spring striped bass and bluefish fisheries, the full month of the tautog fishing in April, as well as the first couple days of black sea bass opening because of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey’s for-hire fishing fleet and boat rentals got the green light to resume operations, with restrictions, as of 6 a.m. on May 17. The opening came just in time for the summer flounder (fluke) season that opened today.

The resumption of fishing opportunity for the angling public that relies on the charter boat fleet and liveries to get them on the water will help aid the much needed economic recovery of all aspects of the recreational fishing industry, including bait and tackle shops that have been operating under curbside pickup.

RFA and United Boatmen of New Jersey had sent proposals outlining revised operating conditions to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, including limited capacity, use of personal protective equipment, social distancing and enhanced cleaning and sanitation; a similar proposal was provided by RFA and the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey for boat liveries. However, the initial announcement by the Governor on May 16 initially limited all for-hire vessels to a maximum of 10 passengers, despite the fact that many of the large Coast Guard inspected vessels upwards of 100 feet in length having the capacity to carry 100 or more.

In the days since that announcement, the RFA team - including the organization’s general counsel Ray Bogan and United Boatmen of New Jersey President Captain Bob Rush - went to great effort to explain to the governor and his staff how inspected charter and head boats operate, and what type of measures could be implemented to follow government guidelines to ensuring safety of both passengers and crew while having more than 10 passengers onboard.

Recognizing the ability of those vessels to operate safely, the number was increased to a maximum capacity of 25 passengers by the governor in his May 22 press briefing, effective immediately. The increase in passenger capacity was supported by many of New Jersey’s legislators on both the federal and state level.

"The negotiations to increase inspected vessel capacity were very complicated in the context of the coronavirus pandemic," said Donofrio. “RFA and our New Jersey state chapter has to give thanks to all the legislators, their staff and other groups that were involved in the discussions with the governor's office to reopen industry since for-hire vessels were shut down early in the crisis, with a special thanks to all those that have redoubled their efforts in the past week.”

“At the end of the day, this was a state decision, but it couldn’t have been done without support and advocacy at the federal level by Congressmen Frank Pallone and Chris Smith who dug in to the details on a daily basis with the governor’s staff,” Donofrio said, adding “and we also thank our U.S. senators in New Jersey, Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, for their support letters sent to the governor’s office.”

“New Jersey’s for-hire community offers thanks to state senators Chris Connors and Michael Testa, along with Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, and our congressman in South Jersey, Jeff Van Drew, for their efforts in getting us back to fishing, not to mention their ongoing support of the New Jersey recreational fishing industry and anglers,” said Capt. Bob Rush on behalf of the United Boatmen of New Jersey.

“This has been a difficult time for many of our citizens, both physically and economically,” added Capt. Nowalsky. “We thank the Murphy Administration for today’s announcement of expanded capacity, as recreational fishing is a tremendous economic driver for our state. RFA-NJ wishes all the angling public a safe 2020 fishing season and reminds fishermen, captains and crew of the importance of following safety guidelines to mitigate the health threat to the public.”

[1captainron]

Thank you Jim, Ray & everyone involved for working so hard for us all. Let's hope & pray we NEVER have to go through something like this again.

You men are the best!
Capt. Ron

[shrimpman steve]

Great job guys

[captbogan]

Thanks to those of you who have supported Recreational Fishing Alliance --RFA. Without their help and the legal counsel of Ray Bogan, the party boats would still be subject to 10 total people on board --or worse-- stuck at the dock.

If you are not a member, please join RFA at joinrfa.org

If you are already a member, please consider hitting the donate button to send something extra for all the resources used to make this happen.

Also, if you would like to become an associate member of United Boatmen of NJ, you can send $50 (or more) to United Boatmen, 430 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine NJ 08270. United boatmen could use the help of tackle shop owners and other businesses that rely on Party and charter boats that help sustain their livelihood.

There are a few guys who do a lot for us in return for very little. Not just with the Covid issue but on many on fisheries issues. They do it because they love our industry and want us to continue to keep our way of life.

I've heard too many fishermen utter the complaint: "What's the difference? The fish police are just going to do whatever they want." --Believe me: If it wasn't for the few holding the front lines, us fishermen would be off the ocean completely.

A lot of pressure was put on our political leaders to get something done with the tough Covid regs. 25 passengers is something we can live with for a (hopefully short) time. We are surrounded by states that still have their fleet on lockdown. 25 pax is not ideal but a whole lot better than 10 --or worse, tied up to the dock. I am amazed at what they were able to accomplish with this latest mess and change the minds of Government leaders that did not want to back down.

In the meantime: Use common sense while out fishing (or in out in public generally). Please respect boat operators and crew as they impliment the rules --we don't like these rules either but it keeps us fishing for now.

Here are the politicians that helped us directly: State Senator Smith, State Senator Connors, Congressman Pallone, Congressman Van Drew, Congressman Smith and a few others.

Thanks for being patient as RFA, Ray Bogan, United Boatmen, Jim Hutchinson, Adam Nowalsky, Mike Rotham and others are working towards the next lifting of Covid regs. This won't last forever.



Your friend and fellow inmate, Capt Bob Bogan

[dales529]

Wishing all the best to Capt Ron, Capt Bob and the entire for hire fleet. Capt Ron and Capt Bob it speaks volumes that you had the courtesy to respond and thank those that worked hard on this.

Unfortunately I am no longer surprised by the lack of "others" in our fishing community to appreciate a good thing when it happens. There are plenty of posts in a minute of "drama" but no matter how you want to spin this a lot of people spent a lot of their time to get the for hire industry on the water again.

And Those PEOPLE in OUR behalf include RFA, RFA -NJ , United Boatman, Ray Bogan etc .

Perfect NOT but better than tied to the dock.

Do YOURSELF a favor in these hard times and donate if you can but if you cant at the very least post THANKS.