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President's Reportby Bruce Smith (from Jersey Coast Anglers Association March 2006 Newsletter) Thanks to the many volunteers who answered the call to man the JCAA booth at the Atlantic City Power Boat Show February 1st thru 5th. We sold High Roller Raffle tickets, JCAA hats, shirts and tackle bags. More importantly, we had the opportunity to interact with many anglers from the southern region, including not only South Jersey but also Pennsylvania and Delaware. It is nice to receive the input and the compliments on the effort extended and the results achieved. We have another opportunity to show-the- colors, talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk at the new Saltwater Fishing Expo March 17-19 in Somerset, NJ. To volunteer, please call Mark Taylor at 732-929-2591. It is with mixed emotions that I convey that Bruce Freeman, JCAA Sportsperson-of-the Year 2005, has retired from DFW. Among his many accomplishments, Bruce was instrumental in obtaining gamefish status for striped bass and he designed the original striped bass bonus program. He attended many committee and council meetings and had encyclopedic knowledge of the marine fishery. He was an advocate for the environment, the resource and for anglers. His official efforts on our behalf will be missed. We have written Governor Corzine to express the urgency for the DFW to hire a highly qualified individual to assume the tasks Bruce managed so well and not just dump his workload on someone else’s plate: JERSEY COAST ANGLERS ASSOCIATION Working For Saltwater Resource & Marine Anglers Dear Governor Corzine:
Jersey Coast Anglers Association is looking forward to working with you on marine/environmental issues in New Jersey. We understand that you have an extreme budget problem. However, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, especially the Division’s Marine Fisheries Administration, has suffered personnel shortages in for last 15 years. There has essentially been a hiring freeze in place during that time period. At the same time, state and federal mandates regarding fisheries management have increased at least 10 fold. In 1992 we had 3 fisheries management plans to be monitored and implemented. That number now exceeds 20. Yet the number of personnel responsible has actually decreased. The people doing the job are spread too thin and morale at the Division is the lowest JCAA has ever seen. People who might have worked a few more years are retiring because they are so frustrated with the working conditions. JCAA’s biggest concern right now is how the Division of Fish and Wildlife fills the position vacated when Bruce Freeman retires January 31st. With the current budget problems, JCAA is concerned that that this job might just be added to someone else’s plate. This is a full time job and needs to be filled with someone who has knowledge of the system and who will be around for a long time. It is important to have continuity in this job. To be effective at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council you need to build relationships and know the history of why we are at this certain point. JCAA has sent members to commission and council meetings for over 20 years. Tom Fote served as a commissioner off and on for about 15 years. We believe Bruce’s knowledge was essential and will be missed. He served New Jersey’s interests and maintained close ties with the commercial, recreational and environmental communities. He cannot be replaced by someone who sees this as an additional job rather than a priority. The person who represents New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife attends at least 12 weeks a year at meetings for ASMFC and MAFMC. It is important that the same person represent New Jersey at both sets of meeting to maintain continuity and build working relationships. In addition, Bruce was the point person for the Division’s Marine Fisheries Administration for oil spills, environmental impact assessments and served as the Division’s resident scientist on many issues. He must be replaced by someone who has these responsibilities as a full time job. Anything less robs New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Fisheries Administration and all their constituent groups of much needed representation. In the long run, this will have a negative economic impact on the over 2 billion dollar recreational and commercial fishing industries. Even more important, losing this position could certainly have a negative impact on the marine resources and the environment. It is important that one of your first acts as Governor has positive impact on the recreational and commercial fishing communities. Replacing Bruce Freeman with a full time quality scientist would make a positive first impression to everyone interested in New Jersey’s marine resources. Again, JCAA is looking forward to a positive working relationship with you and your office. Please contact me or Tom Fote 732-270-9102, our legislative chairperson. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely Bruce B. Smith President of JCAA
Volunteers Needed The JCAA is a volunteer organization and we need your help! Can you spare one day a week to help in the office in Toms River for March, April and May? This is the time we need help with our Fluke tournament. No special talent is needed, just a willingness to help. Some of the tasks which you might be asked to perform are as simple as answering the phone or mailing out Fluke Tournament T-shirts which have been ordered. We do a few mailings so help is needed manning the folding machine and stuffing envelopes. No, you don’t have to lick the stamps. Luckily the post office has solved that problem for us. Every month we print the newsletter so you might be asked to help keep the copy machine filled with paper. If you have the time and a willingness to help please give either Phil Celmer or Tom Siciliano a call. The office number is 732-506-6565. Leave a message if a volunteer doesn’t answer the phone! .
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