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Youth Education Report
by Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association April 2003 Newsletter)
BOY SCOUTS LEARN FISHING
SUPPORT LETTER FOR BILL S1778
Letters requesting the support of bill S1778 were sent to New Jersey legislators and JCAA club representatives. On September 12, 2002 Senator Leonard Connors introduced a most important piece of legislation concerning the Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs program. S-1778 would establish within the Division of Fish and Wildlife the HOF-NOD coordinator position and would fund the program with $200,000. The funds would come from the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund. All the monies in that fund are from people arrested for drug offenses. In this way, money gathered from people who use drugs is being put back into the communities to help prevent drug use. We are asking for your support for S-1778. The money in the fund can only be used for anti-drug/alcohol programs and support Bill S1778/A2823. Please write a letter in support of this bill.
District 1, Senator JAMES S. CAFIERO - Republican District Office: P.O. Box 789, 3319 New Jersey Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260 (609)-522-0462, Assemblyman NICHOLAS ASSELTA - Republican District Office: Main Tree Commons, 1450 East Chestnut Ave., Suite B, Vineland, NJ 08361 (856) 691-3004, Assemblyman JEFF VAN DREW - Democrat District Office: 21 North Main St., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (609) 465-0700. District 2, Senator WILLIAM L. GORMLEY - Republican District Office: Hamilton Mall, Suite 108, Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 (609)-646-3500, Assemblyman FRANCIS J. BLEE - Republican District Office: 533 Tilton Rd., Northfield, NJ 08225 (609) 407-0407, Assemblyman PAUL R. D'AMATO - Republican District Office: 533 Tilton Rd., Northfield, NJ 08225 (609) 407-0407, District 9, Senator LEONARD T. CONNORS - Republican District Office: 620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 (609) 693-6700, Assemblyman CHRISTOPHER J. CONNORS -Republican District Office: 620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 (609) 693-6700, Assemblyman JEFFREY W. MORAN - Republican District Office: 620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 (609) 693-6700. District 10, Senator ANDREW R. CIESLA - Republican District Office: 852 Hwy. 70, Brick, NJ 08724 (732) 840-9028, Assemblyman DAVID W. WOLFE - Republican District Office: 852 Hwy. 70, Brick, NJ 08724 (732) 840-9028, Assemblyman JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL - Republican District Office: 852 Hwy. 70, Brick, NJ 08724 (732) 840-9028. District 11 Senator JOSEPH A. PALAIA - Republican District Office: 290 Norwood Ave., Suite 204, Deal, NJ 07723 (732) 531-1303, Assemblyman TOM SMITH - Republican District Office: 601 Grand Ave., Suite 500, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (732) 776-8628, Assemblyman STEVE CORODEMUS -Republican District Office: 40 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 (732) 708-0900. District 12, Senator JOHN O. BENNETT - Republican District Office: 41 Center St., Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 863-1644, Assemblywoman CLARE M. FARRAGHER - Republican District Office: 400 West Main St., 3rd Floor, Freehold, NJ07728 (732) 462-9009, Assemblyman MICHAEL J. ARNONE - Republican District Office: 258 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 530-6829.
RECREATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING FOUNDATION
The Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation’s Passport working group will travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico to witness a pilot test of the Passport To Fishing and Boating event material. Since August 2002, the JCAA Youth Education Committee has donated time to review program materials and e-mail comments to assist with the development of the RBFF’s Passport to Fishing and Boating event planing kit. The working group committee is excited to witness their efforts that will teach youngsters and their families about safe boating and fishing techniques that will target freshwater/saltwater recreation. A representative from the JCAA Youth Education Committee will leave for Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 21, 2003 to assist with observation and further development of the program. Mr. Ti Piper, Contractor Fishing Clinics & Aquatic Education, New Mexico Dept Game & Fish will host the pilot test at 1313 Mt. Valley Rd., Sandia Park, NM 87047. He is an educator with a vision for the fishing future. We have a great opportunity to learn new teaching skills from Mr. Piper and I am sure he will share his creative ideas that introduce families to fishing.
HUDSON RIVER FISHING ASSOCIATION
On Tuesday, 11 March 2003, I had the pleasure of assisting Dr. Eleanor Bochenek, Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, with a slide presentation about Life Histories and Commercial Fisheries for Important Recreational Fishing Baits. Over one hundred Hudson River Fishing Association members and guests attended the HRFA monthly meeting to learn about Squid, Sea Clams and Weakfish research data. Dr. Bochenek explained the lifecycle of each species and answered questions about the impact of recent sewerage spills. Dr. Bochenek explained how scientists use observation data to determine new net designs for harvesting shellfish/finfish that will protect the resource.
NEWARK BAIT AND FLYCASTING CLUB
On Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the JCAA Youth Education Committee conducted a fishing fun night for kid’s presentation at the Newark Bait and Flycasting Club meeting. Youngsters learned about the following topics: Water Works Wonders, FFF “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs,” Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) and a safe boating exercise featured in the new Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Passport to Fishing and Boating program. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s Youth Education Committee donated a rod and reel that was part of the great American cast-off that complemented our Red, White and Blue fish printing theme. Children cast at fish targets and compete for the rod and reel prize. The lucky rod and reel winner is posted on the JCAA web site. All children attending the Fishing Fun Night for Kids received goodie bags that contained “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” drug awareness material, terminal tackle, books, and toy prizes. I thank the membership of the Newark Bait and Flycasting Club for a memorable evening and supporting our future anglers. Great job guys!
LANES MILL SCHOOL READING RALLY
On Friday, May 16, 2003 the JCAA Youth Education Committee will host a fishing fun day at Lanes Mill School, Brick, NJ in support of their Reading Rally. Dr. Eleanor Bochenek, Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, will conduct a presentation about the Barnegat Bay Estuary and provide each student with a copy of her book entitled “Young Peoples Guide To Saltwater/Freshwater Fishing.”
BE SAFE-HAVE FUN-ENJOY FISHING
Greg Kucharewski, a member of the Shore Surf Club, is the J.C.A.A. Youth Education Director. If you would like to help with our youth education efforts and offer some of your time to teach children the joy of fishing please phone 732-785-9278 or e-mail Gkucharews@aol.com.