In the last newsletter, I mentioned that there was an important vote being made on March 2nd by the NJ Marine Fisheries Council on the approved options by ASMFC of Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass and Scup. This vote would set New Jersey’s seasons, size, bag limits of those species. I didn’t attend the meeting in person, but I did video conference. First, I was disappointed with the attendance of the public and stakeholders either in person or by video. Second disappointment I had was the problem with the communication system the council was using during this meeting. For those of us that couldn’t attend in person it was very hard hearing any of the conversations during the meeting especially the Council members. Third disappointment was when it came time in the agenda to talk about each of the species it seemed rushed and seems there was no real discussion on the Council side of what was mentioned in public comments. The fourth and final disappointment that night was when the Chair called for a vote. The vote went the total opposite way of all the public comments that night with no real explanation. I will be putting a formal letter together and submitting it. If you have any future interest in this recreational sport, you need to get involved now.
The show season is coming to an end, and everyone is starting to get things ready for this fishing season. I saw people working on their boats the last few days and heard that some fish are already being caught. I hope to be ready for some fishing in the next few months. Make sure you take a kid out fishing, this is our future.
I would like to especially thank all those people that stepped up to volunteer their time for JCAA at flea markets, Atlantic City Boat Show and Saltwater Fishing Expo. They are Paul Haertel, Frank Macalik, Howard Rottweiler, Ron Nachmann, Bill Figley, Tim Burden, Kathy Burden, John Toth, Karen Noe, Michele Kohler, Don Marantz, Ed Baluta, Dan Miller, Eric Engard, Ryan Loughlin, Tom Fote, Steve Machalaba, Phil Simon, Mickey Sherry, Bill Brown. Sorry if I missed anyone and some of these people did multiple events and days. Without these people attending these events and talking to people, many of the public would not know what is happening with our fisheries. I would like to see more dedicated people like them volunteer their time for JCAA, their fishing clubs or any other organizations they belong to. Without participation all will fade away as we know it.
On a much brighter note, JCAA has confirmed that we will be holding our annual fluke tournament on June 17th with an awards ceremony in Resorts Casino Hotel again. The awards ceremony will be the weekend after the tournament, still working on those details. I would like to see this tournament grow with participation, so mark your calendar for June 17th. Paperwork and applications will be coming out shortly.
As fishing club dues are coming in, Membership Chairman John Toth has scheduled for JCAA to do a presentation at some clubs already. If your club would like to have JCAA come, please reach out to John Toth at 732-656-0139 or tothjohn@verizon.net.
Our 2023 JCAA High Roller Raffle is in full swing. This is one of the JCAA fundraisers that Paul Haertel put the prize list together. If you would like to get tickets, please reach out to us at 732-506-6565. Leave your name and a number that you can be reached at, so arrangements can be made.
If you want to get involved with JCAA contact me at mtsport64@aol.com or 732-245-9445. We all need to get involved so the future of fishing as we know it will be gone.