Menhaden Bill Introduced
S2252

by Frank Richetti

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association May 2001 Newsletter)

I reported last month on our disappointment that the NJ Marine Fisheries Council did not pass the regulation to prohibit the taking of menhaden in state waters for the purpose of reduction. It was a bitter defeat after many years of hard work. We were very close to protecting the menhaden only to lose it moments before becoming a regulation, all because of the confusion of one councilman, Robert Able.

            It is a shame that the 150 plus folks who came out to the February 20 public hearing to support this regulation did not all speak their mind. I know many folks were intimidated by the size of the crowd and after listening to the 19 representatives, who spoke in favor of the regulation, decided in the interest of saving time not to speak. This was a mistake because their wishes were not heard. If you get up and simply say that “I support the JCAA position” or the “RFA position”, you will be counted. If you are silent, you took a long ride for nothing; your position will not be on the record and will not be counted.

Now there is a new battle brewing and another chance to be heard and make something happen, but in a different venue. State Senators Andrew Ciesla and Louis Bassano have introduces bill S2252. This bill prohibits taking of menhaden for fishmeal reduction in State coastal waters. This bill does not affect the bait industry in any way. It is aimed at preserving the important forage base that menhaden provide by preventing over fishing in our local waters. Senator Ciesla has worked with us in the past on a similar bill, that bill passed through the State Senate only to die in the Agriculture Committee of the Assembly.

Assemblyman Steve Corodemus, chairman of the Environmental Committee, has agreed to introduce a companion bill in the Assembly. JCAA and RFA have long been convinced that this issue belongs in the Environmental Committee and not in the Agriculture Committee. The decision of which committee is assigned the bill belongs to the Assembly Speaker Jack Collins. It is critical to pressure Speaker Collins as well as Assemblymen from every district in the state to target this issue in the Environmental Committee. Regardless of which committee hears this bill, it will only succeed if we have broad support from all across the state. There are 40 districts in New Jersey, that is 40 Senators and 80 Assemblymen all of whom should be contacted by voters within their respective districts. This is an election year so any action on this issue will be fresh on the minds of voters come next November. Contact your Assemblymen and let them know how you feel and that you will be watching their vote.

We are running out of options. If you are concerned about a healthy forage base for striped bass, weakfish, bluefish and others, now is the time to act, there won’t be another chance!

To follow the progress of this bill or look up your local senators and assemblymen go to the NJ legislature home page: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us.
 

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