I was listening to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting webinar regarding proposed changes to the Striped Bass Management Plan under “Emergency Action” on December 16, 2024. Shortly after the meeting resumed following a lunch break, a heard a statement from one of the member state’s representatives that was so shocking, I could not believe what I was hearing. I wish I had the ability to play it back to hear it again at that time, to confirm what I had just heard. Of course, I couldn’t but I confirmed it later. This shocking statement was New Jersey’s Governor’s Appointee, Jeff Kaelin, making a motion to Decrease the reduction to the commercial Striped Bass Quota. The question is, whose interests is Mr. Kaelin looking out for? Obviously, it is not the recreational Striped Bass Fisherman of New Jersey; Perhaps it is the commercial Striped Bass Fisherman from other states that have a commercial Striped Bass fishery and are interested in taking New Jersey’s commercial Striper Bass quota, if this becomes possible. JCAA have always supported an equal reduction of both our quotas when a reduction is necessary. Mr. Kaelin, who works for Lund Fisheries, one of the largest commercial fishing companies in the country, was appointed to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2023, by Governor Murphy. He replaced Tom Fote, who represented New Jersey on the Commission for approximately 30 years, vigorously striving to represent both New Jersey’s recreational anglers and commercial fisherman and did so successfully during his tenure.
Given Mr. Kaelin’s employer and background, this was a concern of recreational anglers in New Jersey when his appointment was announced. These concerns have shown themselves since this only motion I heard him make at any of the fishery management meetings I have participated in.
Also surprising, New Jersey’s Administrative representative, Joseph Cimino, NJDEP Marine Resources Administrator voted in support of this motion. It should be questioned as to why he voted to support Mr. Kaelin’s motion. Fortunately, the motion failed. The final vote of the Commissioners was to take No Action on changes to the Striped Bass Management Plan for 2025 under Emergency Action. New Jersey’s recreational Striped Bass anglers owe a large debt of gratitude to New Jersey’s Legislative Commissioner (proxy) Captain Adam Nowasky, for his statements that led to the vote to Take No Action.
New Jersey’s recreational Striped Bass anglers now look to the next struggle, which is the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board now looking to impose proposed changes via the Amendment Process. The problem and issue with these proposed management changes, is they are not based upon the most current and correct data and seek to address the concern of possibly not meeting the Striped Bass Stock Management Plan Target without addressing the reasons causing pour recruitment in the sampling area, specifically Chesapeake Bay.
New Jersey needs all of its commissioners to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to represent the recreational saltwater anglers and commercial fisherman of New Jersey, who also vote, in regard to the management of all saltwater species; Not other states commercial fisherman. At present, this does not seem to be the case and needs to change!