President's Report

by John Toth

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association September 2007 Newsletter)

This report of mine has to be a short one since while I am writing this article, I am in the process of packing up my things to move to a new house on the 23rd of August. The movers are coming and I have to have everything ready to go! I have lived in my house for 23 years, so I have a lot to pack!

First I would like to thank the many supporters listed below for their door prize donations to make this year’s 13th annual fluke tournament a major success. JCAA would urge all anglers to support their very generous organizations for without the generosity this event would not have been a success.

Aftco Bluewater, American Angler, American Rod & Gun, Amo Tackle, Berkley, Big Mohawk, Blood Marine Services, Bushnell Performance Optics, Boaters World, Bolle, Canyon Gear, Capt. Cal, Carlson Machine & Tool, Inc, Chambliss Marine, Cortland Corporation, New Jersey Angler Magazine, Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, F. J. Neil Co. Inc., Fisherman’s Den Belmar, Fisherman’s Headquarters, LBI, Fishskin Lures, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Golden Eagle, Grizz’s Bait & Tackle, Guy Harvey Publishing, Hi Seas / American Fishing Wire, International Paints, JCAA, Joe Blaze, Lamiglas, Lipper Tools, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Minn Kota Motors, Miss Belmar, Miss Belmar Princess, Nor’East Saltwater Magazine, Ocean Explorer, Optimum Bait & Tackle, Pells Bait & Tackle, Pro Fish Co., Pure Fishing, Raymarine, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Shimano American Group, Skipper, Spro, Suzi Girl, Tackle Buddy, Top Brass, Trump Marina Hotel Casino, TTI Companies, U. S. Reel, Van Patten Industries, and Wiggle Fin Lures

While the weather has been hot and especially humid this summer, the fishing management scene is also hot. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met jointly and voted to recommend reducing the total allowable landings of Fluke from 17.11 pounds to 15.77 million pounds next year! If this new quota becomes law, expect a reduced fishing season, a larger size limit or both of these evils. We were expecting a larger fluke quota for 2008, and now we are facing a cutback even though the fluke fishing has been very good this year.

Other cuts are on the way. The same management people recommended reducing sea bass landings from 6.5 million pounds this year to 4.22 million pounds for 2008. Porgy landings are set to be reduced from 13.5 million ponds to 7.34 million pounds next year. More bad news. Blackfish landings are also expected to be slashed by 28 % next year! The ASMFC is proposing a cut of 28% on tautog for 2008 and what is NJ doing about it since it is the illegal fishery that might be the main problem?

Other News on the Fishing Front

Artificial Reefs – Fish and Game’s Dave Chanda proposed a compromise solution so that the commercial and recreational anglers could have use of the reefs during certain seasons. The RFA, JCAA, Reef Rescue and the NJ Divers Association considered this recommendation and decided to reject it. Recreational anglers want the fishing pots and gear removed from all of the reefs and do not want any compromises! Stay tuned on this issue. Nothing will be happening now on this until the elections roll around.

Subway Cars – The JCAA invited EPA’s Lisa Jackson to hold a meeting at JCAA’s headquarters to discuss the subway car issue with various environmental groups (Clean Ocean Action, Littoral Society) and also with the RFA, Reef Rescue and the NJ Divers Association. Essentially, it was Lisa Jackson’s meeting to hear comments from those present. She will make a decision on the subway cars in the near future.

Bill A-3275 – A nefarious bill was introduced by Assemblyman Mike Panter (equally nefarious) that is designed to drastically alter the Fish & Game Council from eleven members to seven political appointees making it ripe to be controlled by the animal rights activists, anti-hunting and fishing activists and extreme environmental activists. If this bill passes as presently written, fishing and hunting as we know it will be effectively destroyed! This bill is also being supported by Senator Karcher (S-2041) and Assemblywoman Greenstein.

However, Mr. Panter did us a very big favor by galvanizing NJ’s hunters and anglers to form a new association called the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance. For your information, the NJ Outdoor Alliance is a coalition of anglers and hunters. They will be working to defeat Bills A-3275 and S-2041 by forming a Political Action Committee (PAC). If you are interested in more information go to its website at (www.njoutdooralliance.org).

We have also received a letter from 12 District Assemblywoman Jenifer Beck who is running for the senate against Senator Karcher. The letter below explains her objections to the A3275/S2041. We also received a letter from her two running mates also stating their objection to Assemblyman Panter’s bill. Those letters are included.

There is more information in the newsletter on each of these topics. However, if you snooze you lose! Try to keep updated on these issues by following our newsletter and other publications like the Fisherman or your favorite newspaper. The JCAA will have its eyes on these and other issues that affect anglers who fish in our waters. We especially need volunteers to attend fishing management meetings to monitor the proceedings and present JCAA positions. Sometimes just showing up at various functions to represent the JCAA helps us by showing that there is a JCAA presence. If you can help us in this manner, please let me know. We just need a little of your time. Many hands make light work! I can be reached at (732) 446-6298 or tothjohn@juno.com

Our next regular meeting is scheduled for September 25th. Plan to be there since we will have a lot to discuss!

I wanted to have a short column and now I am on two pages! My adrenalin is pumping even though I am tired of all of the packing and getting things ready!

Letter from Assemblywoman Beck

Dear Sportsmen:

As you know, the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee recently voted in support of a measure, A-3275, which would change the structure, powers, and functions of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council. I feel that this bill will not serve the interests of our great state’s fish and wildlife resources and will alienate the people who pay to support it.

I believe that the current makeup of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council of eleven members, comprising of three farmers, six sportsmen, one public member knowledgeable in land management and soil conservation, and the Chairperson of the Endangered Non-game Species Advisory Committee allows for a competent and effective management of fish and game duties.

The intent of this bill, proposed by Assemblyman Michael Panter, is to severely reduce the influence that sportsmen have on the Council. As it stands, members of the Council are required to be from different areas in the state to provide a balanced perspective with regard to New Jersey’s wildlife management policies. If this legislation goes forward as planned, the geographic and occupational requirements of the membership will be removed. This ill-conceived measure would allow for the future possibility that not a single sportsman will be serving on the very council that develops New Jersey’s hunting and fishing policies.

Furthermore, this legislation also removes the farming communities’ representative on the Council. It is my strong belief that farmers, arguably the group most impacted by wildlife management guidelines, should have a voice on the committee.

Rest assured that when this bill comes before me in the General Assembly I will vote a resounding “no”. Without question, this bill seeks to weaken the New Jersey Fish and Game Council by politicizing it.

Sincerely,
Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck
12th Legislative District

Letter from Assembly Candidates in the 12th District

To Whom It May Concern,

We would like to affirm our opposition to New Jersey Assembly bill A-3275, which would change and politicize the composition of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council.

It would also remove the “geographic representation” requirement which now requires that all parts of the state are guaranteed representation on the Council. Additionally, it would remove the ability of the council to consider development of fish and game for public recreation and food supply when adopting/amending the Fish and Game Code- a blatant anti-hunting, anti-fishing provision.

We believe this bill is not an attempt to better manage New Jersey’s fish and game population, but an attempt by animal rights activists to curtail hunting and fishing in the State of New Jersey.

We agree with Leonard Wolgast, a current member of the council and a professor at Rutgers University, who said the proposed law is unnecessary and the council should not be changed because “New Jersey has a worldwide reputation in the field of wildlife management”.

If elected to the Assembly, we will oppose this bill and we will support the rights of sportsmen in the State of New Jersey.

Sincerely,
Declan O’Scanlon      
Caroline Casagrande    
Candidates for State Assembly
12th Legislative District

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