After looking over the articles included in this edition of the JCAA Newspaper by Paul Turi, John Toth, Paul Haertel, Ken Warchal and Don Marantz, I realize my job will be easy this month. Please read their articles on sand mining, seismic testing and the articles about JCAA’s upcoming events and raffles.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will be meeting the first week in August and the agenda is already posted on the webpage. The Mid-Atlantic Council will meet the second week in August in New York City. That is where decisions will be made on summer flounder, black sea bass, scup and bluefish for the following year. I know it is a long trip for the anglers from Delaware Bay to come to New York City but it is important that you make every effort to get a representative in attendance. The best way is by train from Delaware. That will probably be on Wednesday. I am looking forward to working with the representatives from Delaware to develop a proposal that will solve the problem with the inequities between Delaware and New Jersey in Delaware Bay. This problem was created by the National Marine Fisheries Service and US Fish and Wildlife when they attempted to remedy the problems in Raritan Bay between New York and New Jersey. I am now looking for NMFS and US Fish and Wildlife to participate in finding a solution. They were the deciding votes and it was NMFS that pushed for the regionalization.
JCAA has kept the dues the same for both member clubs and associate members for almost 20 years. Our expenses have increased and since 2007 our income has greatly decreased. Most of the decrease in income has been the result of decreasing participation in the fluke tournament. Remember, this is your association and it represents many of the saltwater clubs in New Jersey. To keep JCAA viable we need you to help promote our fundraisers, the JCAA Fluke Tournament and the new 50/50 Raffle. We also need your members to become involved in species committees like striped bass, menhaden, HMS and summer flounder to name a few. So please support your organization.
