On behalf of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA), I attended a February 23rd meeting of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) and the following issues were discussed:
Senator Thomas Kean (R) representing Union, Morris, and Somerset counties received an award from the NJOA for his continued support of NJOA's legislative initiatives, especially relating to hunting issues.
Senator Kean stayed throughout the NJOA meeting to hear firsthand the issues raised by both the hunting and fishing groups belonging to it.
Bonus Tag Program - There will be a Bonus Tag program for striped bass anglers and there are two proposals being considered for it by our NJ Marine Fisheries Council. One is to have a Bonus Tag for a striper at 24 to 28 inches, or one at 28 inches and above. After discussing the pros and cons of both options, JCAA's President Paul Haertel made a motion that the NJOA should support the 28 inches and above option. This motion was tabled since member organizations did not have the opportunity to discuss the Bonus Tag issue with their members. Also, the NJ Marine Fisheries Council was scheduled to meet three days later (2/26/15) to discuss this issue and NJOA members felt that they should first hear why this Council would favor one option over the other. (The February 26th meeting was canceled because of a snow storm).
Also, it is very important that anglers receiving their Bonus Tag need to complete the trip information that comes with it. This information is used by our Bureau of Marine Fisheries to develop what our striper season should be for the following year with federal regulators. Without it, this Bureau does not have the statistical information it needs to develop NJ's striper season with federal management staff for the next year.
Funding for Fish & Wildlife Division (DFW) - 15 states spend more money to manage their fisheries with NJ close to the bottom of this list with only Rhode Island in last place. This is a serious problem and one that is a high priority for the NJOA since the DFW does not have adequate staff to monitor and respond to approximately 24 federal fishing management plans. Due to this lack of staff, one of our blackfish seasons was closed since our DFW did not have the staff to respond to the federal mandated plan for it! Because of this issue and others, New Jersey is at a disadvantage in comparison to other states in attending technical conferences and other activities that it should be involved with. Senator Kean was told that DFW has to pay rent for its offices and also benefits for its employees. No other NJ agency does that! If rent and benefits were removed from DFW's responsibilities, it would have approximately $5 million more in its budget to hire more staff and be more involved in programs for our hunters and anglers. Senator Kean indicated that rent and benefits costs are mandated by NJ's Treasury Dept. through a "Treasury Circular" and the rescinding of the rent and benefit costs of the DFW does not require legislation, but just a rescinding of this Treasury Circular. Senator Kean indicated that he would personally look into how he could make this happen! Getting money for anything in Trenton is not easy given the pressures for other needy programs.
Open Space - Approximately 71 million is available through this Open Space initiative that was recently approved by voters. Every agency/organization is vying for this money and exaggerating their needs at meetings hosted by Senator Smith. (I was present at two of these meetings and heard their cries for "desperately needed funds"). Senator Kean indicated that he thought that Governor Christie would veto any legislation coming from Senator Smith's committee concerning the disbursement of these funds. The monies from Open Space would most likely be placed in the General Fund and its distribution done more differently.
Seismic Testing - I brought up the issue of seismic testing to Senator Kean and he was unaware of its negative impact on fish, whales and other sea creatures. He applauded our efforts to stop it and supports the stopping of it.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) - the problems associated with it (disrupting fishing grounds, possible acts of terrorism etc.) was brought to the Senator's attention and he does not support moving forward with it.
Tim Dillingham, Director of the American Littoral Society, told Senator Kean about a bill moving through the senate (S.2143) that would extinguish our state's tidelands claims on private properties owned and occupied for more than 40 years. If successful, private property owners could severely restrict public access to beaches, especially for anglers. Tim is sending a letter to Senate President Sweeney urging him stop this bill and Tim's letter also includes comments provided to him by the NJ Beach Buggy Association.
Sand Mining - Ken Warschal brought up the issue of the Army Corps of Engineers taking sand from prime fishing areas in the Manasquan inlet and Axel Carlson reef areas and other prime fishing areas for beach replenishment. The NJOA voted to support Ken's proposal to stop this type sand of mining and its disruptive effect on our fisheries. Serge Radossi (member of the NJ Marine Fisheries Council) indicated that this Council sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers indicating that it should stop this sand mining at prime fishing locations immediately. Lawsuits from some coastal towns are expected to delay beach replenishments in their areas. This sand mining issue will have to be closely monitored given that the Army Corps of Engineers is not that responsive to concerns voiced by the public.
