(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association -August 1995 newsletter)
The following letter was written by Congressman Frank Pallone (D), of New Jersey, to the Director of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Dear Mr. Dunnigan:
I am writing out of extreme concern over and in opposition to the Bluefish Management Board’s recent decision to reduce the bag limit of bluefish from 10 to 3 fish and to impose a 13 inch size limit on juvenile fish.
In the first place, I am concerned that this decision was made without adequate public participation into the decision making process. Last year, you were contacted by members of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries committee regarding the Commission’s implementation of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act specifically to emphasize the importance of the need for the Commission to commit to an open and inclusive process of management.
In fact, Section 805(2) (b) states that the Commission must ensure that there is adequate opportunity for public participation in the plan preparation process, including at least four public hearings and procedures for submission of written comments to the Commission.
Clearly, in order to effectively develop a sustainable fishery resource the Commission must look beyond the letter of the law and seriously consider the comments and suggestions of both recreational and commercial fishermen and other industry representatives. While the Bluefish Committee’s action does not constitute a formal plan, it is, nonetheless, a significant action that I and others who crafted that law have always believed should be subject to a fair and adequate public review.
I am also concerned about the disparity between the conclusions reached by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and Commission with regard to the management of bluefish. As you are no doubt well aware, the Council has elected to retain the current 10 fish bag limit for recreational fishermen and has not proposed any size restrictions of this category. Although I am familiar with the differing missions of the two management bodies, I do not understand how the Council and the Commission could arrive at such drastically different conclusions from data relating to the same stock of fish. Has the Commission reviewed the Council’s findings and decision? Is the Commission basing its decision upon different data than the Council and if so, why?
The Charter boat industry in my state depends very heavily upon the bluefish fishery for its survival. In addition, bluefish are an important commercial and recreational stock. New Jersey’s fishermen and I certainly recognize the importance of conservation measures to maintaining the viability of a species. However decisions regarding the management of bluefish and other species should be based upon the best available data and should fully consider the impact of management decisions upon the users of the resource.
I therefore urge you and the Commission to reassess the Bluefish Committee’s actions, and to give this matter full consideration in an open, fair and public process. I, along with the recreational and commercial sectors of the fishery are sure you will find that the proposed 3 fish bag limit or 13 inch size alternative do little to help the resource. In that light, the Commission should follow in the Council’s steps and maintain the current 10 fish bag limit with no size restrictions.