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by Ed Cherry
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association October 2004 Newsletter)
JCAA would like to thank Senate President Richard Codey for his quick action to avoid a Striped Bass moratorium. It is highly unusual for the NJ Senate to have an emergency voting session and Senator Bob Smith also deserves our thanks for working to make this happen. This action confirms that our Senators, both Democrats and Republicans, understand the significant economic impact of Striped Bass fishing. Striped Bass has always been a bipartisan issue. Recreational anglers throughout the state will be watching the Senate session on September 20th and are hopeful that Governor McGreevey will sign S1691 on the same day. JCAA has been working diligently with our legislators, NJ DEP and other interested parties to resolve these issues. Many of our members have been in contact with their legislators and the outdoor writers have been actively engaged in this discussion. Tom Fote, JCAA’s Legislative Chairman, is also the Governor’s Appointee to ASMFC and has been in constant contact with Federal and State legislators. In cooperation with NJ Fish and Wildlife, he has also been in contact with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Ed Cherry, chairman of JCAA’s Striped Bass Committee, comments, “Although JCAA supports different size limits than the ones in the current Senate bill, we recognize that it is crucial to avoid the moratorium. Passing the legislation that was already approved by the NJ Assembly is the only way to avoid a moratorium. JCAA will continually monitor the impact of this legislation on recreational anglers and will, if necessary, propose changes in the legislation for the 2005 Striped Bass season.”
We have included the press release from NJ Senate Democrats.
