On behalf of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, I attended a November 11, 2015 meeting of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA), and I also chaired this meeting in the capacity of Acting CF-President. The following issues were discussed.
Wharton State Park - the closing of the roadways in this park by the NJ DEP without public input raised a lot of ruckus with the anglers and hunters who discovered their access roadways closed to their fishing and hunting grounds. The NJOA has been involved with this issue and has been working with NJ's DEP to resolve this. NJOA staff will accompany DEP staff in checking which roadways they want to close. NJOA staff is familiar with the needs of people who use this park and will try to accommodate their hunting and fishing needs.
Artificial Reefs - A new artificial reef will be built by the Manasquan inlet for recreational use. DEP Deputy Commissioner Robert Bernazian plans to go to the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fishery Council (MAMFC) on December 10th in Annapolis, Maryland and make a case that the 13 artificial reefs in federal waters should be classified as Special Management Zones (SMZ's) and for use by recreational anglers. (This issue was not discussed in detail at the MAMFC's December meeting and will come up on the MAMFC's agenda at a later date.
LNG - Glenn Arthur (Chairman NJ Council of Diving Clubs) reported that the company that was pushing LNG until Governor Cuomo vetoed it may still try again to have LNG in our waters. While unlikely that this will happen, Glenn has a special interest in following the progress of LNG. It is always good to have more eyes and ears on an issue that may again have an impact on out fisheries.
Sand Mining - Serge Radossi, a member of the NJ Marine Fishery Council, reported that US Corps of Army Engineers is still taking sand for beach replenishment at locations that have been historically good fishing areas. The NJ Marine Fishery Council wants these areas restored to their original habitat, just like coal companies that conducted strip mining and then had to restore the affected areas to their original condition.
Paul Haertel reported that the JCAA contributed $2,000 to the Science Center for Marine Fisheries that is working in conjunction with the Save Our Summer Flounder Fund (SSFFF) to create a new model that will give us a better picture of the stocks of summer flounder. The hope is that having this information will enable us to challenge the onerous quotas that have been placed upon us. It is expected that this new model will not be available until 2017. Consequently, we will have to live with the 29% reduction with our 2016 quota.
(The December 28th meeting of the NJOA has been canceled since so many of its members will be away for the holidays and engaged in many of its festivities).
