 |
 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
by Tom Siciliano
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association May 2002 Newsletter)
A golden opportunity was missed when environmentalists in New Jersey took a very narrow view on using obsolete subway cars for artificial reef material. Well, New Jersey’s loss was Delaware’s gain. By now marine growth has populated the subway cars and the growth attracts small fish and crabs which in turn attract larger fish. Delaware fishermen will enjoy this bonanza for years to come. How long? No one is quite sure. Will the cars deteriorate? Of course, but that does not mean they will cease to be productive for fishing. Only time will tell and Delaware fishermen will be the ones finding out year after year what New Jersey is missing.
Well, the issue is not completely dead. There will always be materials of opportunity which will become available for use as potential reef components. How can New Jersey take advantage of these materials? We will continue to have discussions with the environmental groups who oppose the use of subway cars as reef material.
An even bigger opportunity has presented itself and we must seize the moment to provide public comment on a Draft of the “National Artificial Reef Plan Revision.”
The many benefits of artificial reefs are included in this document. It was first published in 1985 and this is the first time it has been reviewed. This document will become the standard for artificial reef programs for many years to come. It will provide guidelines on siting and construction of the reefs. There is a section on artificial reef materials along with the regulatory requirements.
If you care about improving fishing along the New Jersey coast, you must take the time to read and understand this document. Once you have done that you must send your comments in.
The Plan Revision can be found on the web site http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ibf/irf.html
Comments will be accepted until May 23, 2002, and should be sent to William L. Price, Coordinator for Marine Recreational Fisheries Programs, 1315 East West Highway, Suite 1475, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments will also be accepted via fax. Comments submitted by electronic mail will not be accepted.
If you would like a hard copy of the revisions to the National Artificial Reef Plan you may request it from C. Michael Bailey, NOAA-Fisheries, Suite 134, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 or one can phone Michael Bailey at 727-570-5474.
I will be providing comments for the Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County and will make those available to all members of JCAA. You may agree with what I say or you may disagree or you may have a perspective which is far better than what I come up with. Your comments will be discussed and could become part of the JCAA position. If you have difficulty downloading the document please give me a call and I will make sure that you get a copy.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION from the web site: The National Plan of 1985 was developed by the Secretary of Commerce under direction of the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 (Act). The National Plan, which was designed to be a dynamic working document that would be updated as new information became available, was originally published in November 1985 as NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS OF-6. The National Plan provided guidance on various aspects of artificial reef use, including types of construction materials and planning, siting, designing, and managing artificial reefs. The 1985 document was general in scope and provided a framework for regional, state, and local planners to develop more detailed, site-specific artificial reef plans sensitive to highly variable local needs and conditions. Since 1985, extensive research has been conducted shedding new light on issues pertaining to artificial reefs. Accordingly, the NMFS has revised the National Plan. The revision follows the format of the 1985 Plan incorporating changes to original text in key areas. The most significant deviations occur in the section dealing with materials. The revision also addresses several critical issues of national importance which provide the focus for much of the debate regarding man-made reef activities. These include the permit programs, materials criteria, liability, research and evaluation, site location, and the roles of affected federal agencies and the regional fisheries management councils. In addition, one of the main areas of emphasis was to include language to reiterate the importance of man-made structures as a fisheries management tool. New language in the National Plan is consistent with the guidelines and recommendations of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commissions and representatives of state artificial reef programs relative to artificial reef development.