Operations Manager Report

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association February 2010 Newsletter)

It has been another exciting month at the JCAA office. We have been receiving a lot of calls, but two topics stand out. The first is the saltwater registry, which is mandatory for those who fish for or catch anadromous species (striped bass, shad, river herring) in state tidal waters; or fish in federal waters (more than 3 miles from shore). You do not have to register if you are under 16 years of age; only fish on federally licensed party or charter boats; hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit; or hold a Saltwater Fishing License in another state or signed up for the registry in another state. It is easy to register, either on line or by phone. Register online at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov or call toll free 888-674-7411. I cannot register you for the saltwater registry and will direct you to the website and/or phone number if needed. This was also a big issue at the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show. Many people stopped by our booth and were unaware of the mandatory registry and had a lot of questions about it. There was great attendance while we handed out the newspaper, the new white paper on Striped Bass Migration written by Bruce Freeman, and briskly sold High Roller raffle tickets. As always, the prizes are great and for $2 a ticket, it is an easy and painless way to donate to the JCAA’s education programs.

The second topic is the Fluke Tournament! I am happy and amazed that already we have folks chomping at the bit for their entry forms. Please call the office as soon as you are ready to commit. We are very close to finalizing every detail and will be able to send out invitations, information, entry forms and even High Roller raffle books to our past participants. If you know someone who loves to fluke, spread the word. Remember, you only compete against the anglers who land their fluke at your same home port, and there are TEN port prizes at each port to vie for! The odds are great you will walk away with a prize. The 16th Annual Fluke Tournament will be held on June 12, 2010, so mark your calendars, make your plans and be on the lookout for your entry form. The Awards Ceremony will again be held at the Trump Marina Hotel Casino on Friday, June 18. Also, one of our port sponsors, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, is featured in this newspaper. We at JCAA are pleased to welcome them on board. Thank you, Costa Del Mar, for supporting JCAA and its mission to protect our marine resources and the rights of saltwater anglers.

On another important subject for recreational fisheries, I want to thank the many members of JCAA member clubs and the JCAA Board for participating in the angler research survey being conducted by Steven Gray of Rutgers University. He will be sharing his findings with us as soon as his report is analyzed and synthesized.

At the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) Education and Outreach Retreat on Friday, January 8, which I attended on behalf of JCAA, the focal point was brainstorming on how to reach under-served communities within the Barnegat Bay watershed. Survey results were shared showing which BBNEP partners were reaching out and offering services to which community. Recreational fishing was classified in a larger audience of “recreational users” which would include ocean bathers, surfers, boaters, kayakers, etc. It was defined as an under-served community, to which we would say, well of course, but what does that mean? How can we better interact with the mission of the BBNEP to advance the JCAA mission of protecting fisheries and the rights of saltwater anglers? The BBNEP is funded by the federal government to administer its mission which is “In cooperation with our community, BBNEP is committed to action to restore, maintain, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Barnegat Bay estuary and its contributing watershed through the 21st century.” Enhancement of the marine environment is a core belief of JCAA. No clean water, no fish. Tom Fote has been advising the BBNEP for many years and many partnerships have been created through this relationship. There is clearly more to come.

Finally, thank you all for your support of JCAA. We are coming to grant crunch time, and soon we will start hearing about our successes. Thank you to those of you who have shared possible granting opportunities. Please call if you have any further fundraising suggestions. The office is open from 9 – 2 weekdays, so please do not be a stranger. 732-506-6565.

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