Youth Education Report

HOFNOD BILL SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE PASSES

Persistence pays off. The “Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs” (HOFNOD) bill (A638), was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and HOFNOD will be heard by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and then passed by the full Assembly and full Senate so it can be sent to Governor Christie and signed into law. Several New Jersey education organizations supported the bill, along with the hard work of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, and Recreational Fishing Alliance.

Press Release

Belmar, NJ - Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs (A638), a bill that the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance has made a priority to become law was unanimously approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

NJOA (CF) council members present at the hearing and testifying in favor of the bill were New Jersey Outdoor Alliance and Jersey Coast Anglers Association. Various education organizations also supported the bill.

Assembly Appropriation Committee members: Burzichelli, John J. – Chair, Barnes, Peter J. – Vice-Chair, Casagrande, Caroline, Conaway, Herb, DiMaio, John, Lampitt, Pamela R., McHose, Alison Littell, Prieto, Vincent, and Spencer, L. Grace.

Bill sponsors: Rumpf, Brian E. as Primary Sponsor, Conaway, Herb, Jr. as Primary Sponsor, Gove, DiAnne C. as Primary Sponsor, Albano, Nelson T. as Primary Sponsor, Wolfe, David W. as Co-Sponsor, Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr. as Co-Sponsor, McHose, Alison Littell as Co-Sponsor, Moriarty, Paul D. as Co-Sponsor, Chiusano, Gary R. as Co-Sponsor, Rumana, Scott T. as Co-Sponsor, Peterson, Erik as Co-Sponsor, Burzichelli, John J. as Co-Sponsor, Coutinho, Albert as Co-Sponsor, and Casagrande, Caroline as Co-Sponsor.

Bill A638 (HOFNOD) would establish a program within the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage children to avoid drug use. HOFNOD is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states.

The program’s funding source would be the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund (DEDRF) from which there would be a $200,000 appropriation to support the cost of implementing the program. This is a statutory account established to receive fines and penalties from convicted drug offenders that are used to support State authorized drug and alcohol abuse abatement programs.

Ed Markowski, President of NJOA (EP) and a long-time champion of the bill said, “HOFNOD has a proven track record of preventing drug use by our youth. It is as effective with kids living in cities as it is with kids living in suburbia and rural settings. HOFNOD not only teaches an appreciation for conservation of natural resources, wildlife and the outdoors, but helps to develop positive life skills for school age children.”

The legislation must now be heard by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and then passed by the full Assembly and full Senate so it can be sent to Governor Christie and signed into law.

NEWARK BAIT - KIDS’ FISHING FUN NIGHT A GREAT SUCCESS

Over forty-two children attended the Newark Bait and Flycasting Club’s Annual Youth Fishing Fun Night. JCAA President, Joe Puntasecca, was the guest speaker and conducted a presentation about Fish anatomy that included: species identification, how to handle fish, and environmental awareness.

Children also had a chance to win a rod and reel after completing a fun fish anatomy puzzle activity. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association Youth Education Committee has supported this event for a number of years by providing a fishing activity for children, and supplying “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” decals, pledge cards, and prizes.

DISCOUNT FISHING EQUIPMENT

If your fishing club or organization would like to purchase equipment for youth fishing programs at a discount price, check out tightlinz.com. TightLinz, LLC is a private online community that offers all U.S. anglers (salt, fresh and fly) access to core fishing brands at up to 70 percent off of retail prices. Founded in 2011 by seasoned outdoor and business executives, TightLinz enables brands large and small to monetize inventory and cross market to discreet groups of end users.

FREE FISHING DAYS IN NJ

National Fishing and Boating Week, June 2 - 10, 2012: Free Fishing Days in New Jersey are Saturday & Sunday June 16 & 17, 2012. Residents and non-residents may fish the public waters of New Jersey without a license or trout Stamp. All other regulations apply.

For those anglers just starting out, the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife offers many programs and classes to advance from beginner to expert. The Pequest State Trout Hatchery in Oxford, Warren County offers free fishing programs. Pequest offers a Natural Resource Education Center with a variety of exhibits and displays on wildlife, a butterfly garden, picnic areas and hiking trails. There is also a handicapped-accessible fishing site along the Pequest River. Last year, the JCAA Youth Education Committee coordinated fishing and aquatic education programs for the week-long celebration of National Fishing Week.

This year we will teach students about saltwater fishing at Ocean & Monmouth County public schools. Member clubs that wish to conduct a National Fishing Week program can phone 732/785-9278 and we will guide your organization through the process. Phone if you have questions and please record your event. Let the JCAA Youth Education Committee know how many National Fishing Week participants supported your program. For more information about National Fishing Week in New Jersey check out: njfishandwildlife.com/ffd.htm

If you would like to help with our youth education efforts and offer some of your time to teach children the joy of fishing, please phone 732-785-9278 or e-mail gkucharews@aol.com.

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