Vice Presidents Message

By Pat Donnelly

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association December1997Newsletter)

At the ASMFC Annual Meeting, there was a spirited discussion concerning the role of advisors in the fisheries management process. At the present, advisory panels are used as both a sounding board for proposals, and as an informational resource. The Advisory Chair runs the meeting and reports back to the Management Board.

This often puts the Advisory Panel Chair in an uncomfortable situation. These are individuals who actively participate in the fishery that they represent, and yet they do not have a vote on the Management Board. In effect, the only person at the Board level who is involved in the fishery, and regularly meets with others in the fishery, is the only one without a vote. This is a situation which must be remedied.

The usual rebuttal to this argument is that advisors are not "fisheries managers", and as such should not have a vote at that level. However, the ASMFC has currently seen fit to include both Legislators and Governors Appointees in the process. This may be a system that can work efficiently, but the public perception is of a process that perpetuates political cronyism. These individuals may be qualified to make these decisions, but there is no guarantee that this will be the case. Too often, politics dictates the direction of the State Director, and the political appointees follow blindly.

There is a public perception that the ASMFC is an "old boys network". Decisions are made by bureaucrats who have limited knowledge of the fishery at hand. This is an unique opportunity to satisfy the public demand for reasonable input, while actually contributing meaningful information. Allowing the Advisory Panel Chair a vote at the Management Board level is an idea that merits serious consideration.

NEW JERSEY NOVEMBER 20 PUBLIC HEARING

On Thursday, Nov 20 at 7:00pm, there will be a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Program. The hearing will almost entirely deal with commercial fisheries, but there may be some points of interest to recreational anglers. The following is an outline of the proposal, with pertinent changes to the existing code.

Blue Crabs: Any person with a commercial crab permit who is in possession of more than one bushel of crabs shall be assumed to possess them for sale.

Cod and Haddock: An increase in the size limit to 21", keeping New Jersey in line with the New England Fishery Management Council Groundfish Plan.

Weakfish: A modification to the existing FMP to allow for a 150lb bycatch during closed seasons.

Tautog: Remove the 100lb. threshold to determine a directed tautog fishery. This would include any person who sells tautog in the New Jersey Tautog FMP.

Eel: The Division asks for legislative approval to enable the continuation of the elver fishery. Until such a time that this is possible, the Division asks for a moratorium on the landing off all eels under 6".

Atlantic Herring: The Division asks that vessels participating in the directed Atlantic Herring fishery be restricted to 165' or less, and/or 3000hp or less.

If you can't attend this meeting, and wish to make a comment, send your written comments to:

Division of Marine Fisheries, CN 400, Trenton, NJ 08625

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