 |
 |
|
|
||
JCAA Recreational Pelagic Fisheries Symposium
by Gary Caputi
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association April 1994 Newsletter)
If you've been hearing a lot of talk about a special meeting to be held by JCAA on April 30, 1994, you're among the hundreds of recreational fishermen, fisheries managers, legislators and aids who have shown an interest in what promises to be an historic event. John Koegler, president of Thousand Fathoms Club South and chairman of the JCAA Tuna Committee, has been working tirelessly to assemble a panel of experts and a guest list that reads like "Who's Who in Fisheries Management." He deserves the thanks of all JCAA members and anyone who enjoys offshore fishing for his monumental efforts of their behalf!
So, just what is the JCAA Recreational Pelagic Fisheries Symposium, anyhow? It is an expert to expert educational meeting designed to teach fisheries managers from NMFS and other management groups involved with pelagic species (tunas, billfish and shark) about the history and socioeconomic impact (jobs, dollars and tax revenues) of the recreational big game fishery in New Jersey. It will provide substanitive proof of the importance of the recreational big game fishery and its impact on the health of the economy in New Jersey and along the entire East Coast. It will, in no uncertain terms, detail the negative effect that past and present fisheries management regimes have had on the recreational fishery and the dollars, jobs and tax revenues that have been lost due to these regimes that consider recreational fishing last, if they consider it at all.
Who's going to be speaking on behalf of JCAA and all you recreational offshore fishermen? Gary Caputi will open the Symposium with a statement of goals and objectives for the days presentations and the introduction of some honored guests, including state and federal legislators and, possibly even the Governor, Christine Todd-Whitman. John Koegler will moderate the section detailing the "History of Recreational Pelagic Fishing in New Jersey" with Carroll Anne Shepard, Ph.D. and Capt. Pete Barrett providing slide presentations and historical background of the fishery from 1876 to the present day, including the development and subsequent decline of the Canyon fishery.
Steve Sloan, director of the Fisheries Defense Fund and noted recreational fishing activist, will moderate the section on the "Socioeconomic Impact of Recreational Pelagic Fishing." Panel members include William K. (Bill) Figley, chief marine fisheries biologist for the NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife and Bernard Brown, Ph.D., State of NJ Economist to the Division. Both have been involved in long term studies of the economic importance of recreational pelagic fisheries and have collected data that will show, undeniably, the economic benefit this recreational past time brings to the state and region. They will be followed by a growing list of notable members of the many segments of the recreational fishing industry including Capt. Frank Ravenna (Pres. Pt. Pleasant Charter Boat Assn.), Dave Arbeitman (proprietor, Reel Seat), Capt. Howard Bogan (skipper, party boat Jamaica), Richard Reagan (Director of the Norcross Foundation), Rusty Burkett (private boat offshore fisherman) and representatives from the NJ Marine Trades Association.
After a break for lunch, Rolland A. Schmitten, Director of NMFS, will address the assembly. We will jump back into the meat of the Symposium with a section titled "The Future of Recreational Fishing for Highly Migratory Species." Tom Fote will moderate with panel members including Phil Kozak (National Fisherman's Assn.), John Heyer (Former commissioner to ICCAT), Capt. Dick Weber (Owner,. South Jersey Marina) and Capt. Brion Babbitt (noted shark charter skipper and author), handling the major fisheries including offshore tunas, bluefin tuna, billfish and shark, respectively.
The final section, to be moderated by Dr. Eleanor Bochenek from NJ Sea Grant, will deal with the "Distribution, Biology & Economic Value of Pelagic Species." Panel members are Bruce Freeman, NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife's senior Marine Fisheries Biologist and Rebecca Lent, Pelagic Fisheries Specialist for NMFS. The Symposium will conclude with a summary and question and answer period.
This historic Symposium is unprecedented in its scope and attendance. It is, by far, the most ambitious undertaking JCAA has ever attempted. A mailing to all club reps was sent out on April 9 with an invitation to send representatives from your club to attend. Please do everything in your power to have your club represented. The only cost is $20 per person, to cover the continental breakfast and hot, buffet lunch. It is being held at the Crystal Point Caterer's beautiful facilities on the Manasquan River in Pt. Pleasant, NJ. A copy of the registration form is included in this newsletter, in case you have not received one by mail. For additional information, call Gary Caputi (908-295-2797) or John Koegler (215-687-2208).
JCAA would like to thank Dr. Eleanor Bochenek, Recreational Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant for her help and cooperation. We would also like to thank the following groups for their contributions to this amazing event; North American Fisherman Magazine; the Norcross Foundation; the Northeast Tackle & Gun Reps Assn.; the Fisheries Defense Fund, Inc.; Manasquan Marlin & Tuna Club; Thousand Fathoms Clubs North & South. Without their help, this Symposium might not have become a reality.
Gary Caputi is a member of the Northeast Mako Owners Club and is the 1st Vice President of JCAA. He can be reach at 908-295-2797.