Fisheries Management & Legislative Report

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association June 2008 Newsletter)

I have been on the road a lot since the last meeting. I attended the American Sportsfishing Association Government Affairs, Saltwater and Fresh Water committee meetings in California. As of this writing, I am in Colorado attending the National Wildlife Federation Annual Meeting. I have discovered the true meaning of altitude sickness, so brevity is the rule.

The two meetings brought together individuals with different backgrounds but surprisingly similar agendas, protecting the natural resource and guaranteeing the resources are available for harvesting now and for future generations. At both meetings the topic of global warming was important. It is one of the highest priorities for the National Wildlife Federation. I was always aware that a few degrees drop in ocean temperature would impact on our harvest dramatically. For example, I don’t see surf clammers off Island Beach State Park anymore despite the fact that historically it was a thriving business, supplying clam strips to most of the country. Because of warmer water temperatures the surf clams have moved far off shore and further north. Now I learn that it is not just the ocean fisheries that will feel the impact of the temperature change. All the natural resources will be forced to change and adapt or disappear. I am looking at Colorado’s beautiful snow-capped mountains and dead trees. The warmer temperatures have allowed for an infestation of pine beetles that never existed before. Millions of acres are being destroyed in Canada and the Northwest United States. That will affect every bird, fish and mammal that depends on the pine forests. Trout, steelhead and salmon runs along the west coast have already changed. JCAA and NJ State Federation of Sportsmens Clubs are eager to work with the National Wildlife Federation on this important issue.

At the ASA meeting I learned more about the MPAs along the west coast and the loss of recreational and commercial salmon fishing due to water quantity and quality issues and El Nino. We realize how much the recreational fishing industry has been hurt by unfair summer flounder quotas but on the west coast some of the fisheries are completely shut down.

Bruce Freeman will have a report for us at the next general meeting on the summer flounder research project. He will be attending a meeting at Woods Hole the week of May 19th.

There has been no movement on the Pots off the Reefs and the Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs Bills in the NJ Senate. The Assembly has not heard either bill. We need to keep the pressure on and you need to keep writing letters to your Senators and Assembly people. The NJ Outdoor Alliance is helping focus attention on these bills. JCAA greatly appreciates all the work they are putting into making these bills a reality. I will have more information to share at the general meeting.