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JCAA Blasts Reef OppositionSunday March 13 2005 (from Jersey Coast Anglers Association April 2005 Newsletter) The Jersey Coast Anglers Association is upset about a Jan. 17 letter from Clean Ocean Action to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The letter asks the engineers to reject the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection application for a permit for artificial reef materials at 14 artificial reef sites and a proposed site along the coast of New Jersey. Tom Fote, JCAA legislative director, is dismayed by COA executive director Cindy Zipf. She had reached out to that organization about patching up bad feelings relating to Zipf's success in denying the state's anglers and divers 250 subway cars for the reefs at no cost. In addition, the Division of Fish and Wildlife had to place 250 approved cars on deepwater reefs rather than on reefs accessible to small boat fishermen and most divers. The Jan. 17 letter calls into question the use of approved materials such as concrete debris and ships for reefs because they "open the potential for introducing chemical compounds into the marine environment." Zipf also seeks elimination of ocean communication cables. Though a preliminary review of the application already determined that it would not affect species protected by the Endangered Species Act, the COA letter says "It has been reported that sea turtles become entangled in monofilament line that collects on some of the artificial reef material approved for New Jersey's program." No evidence is cited, but that objection under the Endangered Species Act could lead to a prohibition of sportfishing on artifical reefs by the same anglers who have provided funds and volunteer manpower to build them with the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The JCAA withdrew its longtime membership in COA after the effort to deny the state the benefits of 500 subway cars at no cost was started without consultation with the organization's members. Their Jan. 17 letter went out with letterhead including such organizations as the United Boatmen, Asbury Park Fishing Club, Belmar Fishing Club, Central Jersey Anglers, Hi-Mar Striper Club, Hudson River Fishermen's Association, Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, Jersey Shore Captains Association, Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, N.J. Beach Buggy Association, N.J. Council of Dive Clubs, Raritan Bay Anglers, Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County, Shark River Surf Anglers, Sheepshead Bay Fishing Fleet Association and Shore Surf Club. It would be interesting to know how many of these organizations actually approved of Zipf's latest effort to cripple the artificial reef program in their names. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), on the other hand, sent a letter to the Corps on Jan. 21seeking approval of that permit and citing the "tremendous success" that program has been for the state's anglers and the $1.5 billion industry they support. Pallone wrote, "Unfortunately, beach replenishment, sand and gravel mining, and commercial dredging have robbed New Jersey's natural seafloor of many of the firm substrate features that attract certain types of fish. The reef program has been restored and created critical habitat for these fish species, replenishing stocks and providing additional fishing opportunities." Pallone added: "Please recognize the value of the artificial reef program to New Jerseyans and to the continued viability of fish stocks off our coast. I respectfully request that you approve the permit application submitted by the Division of Fish and Wildlife."
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