Wildlife Retirees Must be Replaced

Tuesday, November 15 2005

Al Ristori - Start Ledger Staff

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association December 2005 Newsletter)

Marty McHugh, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, gave the keynote address at Sunday's Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) Sportsperson of the Year Dinner/Dance honoring the service of this year's recipient, Bruce Freeman, while also pointing out that many of the Division's key scientists and administrators will be retiring around the same time -- leaving the state unable to comply with all the requirements of 22 fishery management plans as well as all their other responsibilities.

In addition to Freeman, reef specialist Bill Figley and others will soon be gone. Without the funding to bring in replacements while the veterans are around to train them, New Jersey could lose out in negotiations at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

During his press conference last month at the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament in Island Beach State Park, Governor-elect Jon Corzine was made aware of this problem and agreed it isn't right that the state can't meet its obligations in marine fisheries which are of such great economic value and vital to the tourism industry. Hopefully, Corzine will follow through and provide the relatively minimal funds required.

Absecon Saltwater Sportsmen were also honored at the dinner/dance with the JCAA Youth Education Award for their work with Atlantic County kids and funding of the Nuncie Bruno Youth Bluefish Tournament.

Rob Winkle, winner of this year's ASMFC David H. Hart Award, was also at the dinner. The state's former Fish and Wildlife law enforcement chief was identified as "Rod" in Sunday's column due to my keystroke error.

[News Contents] [Top]