As the end of the first quarter of YR2025 comes to an end. There have been a lot of things happening with fisheries. I have mentioned in the last newsletter and a discussion at the February 25th JCAA General Membership Meeting that there were public hearings dealing with Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment. I hope many of you took the time to attend one of them and submitted your comments by March 20th, which was the deadline. This is the first steps in the process for this amendment. If you really care about fisheries management will affect you and the future. You must get involved and stay actively gathering the most actuate information on the subject to make an educational decision than comment. The more everyone gets involved in the process while voicing their opinions and concerns the more we all will be part of the process for a strong fishery for the future.
Atlantic Striped Bass is another species that you should be keeping serious attention to. As I mention in last month’s newsletter, back in December the ASMFC – Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board held a meeting to the regulations for both Commercial and Recreational for 2025. JCAA Atlantic Striped Bass Committee with the Chairperson Paul Haertel will be actively following all the things happening with this species. If you are interested in being on this committee, contact Paul Haertel at (732) 943-8201 or anglerpmh@aol.com immediately. Read articles by Paul Haertel on this issue in future JCAA Newsletters.
As I mentioned in previous newsletters that there is a great informational course ongoing. The 2025 Introductory Fisheries Science for Stakeholders (IFISSH) Course ends on April 8th, which means there are only three Tuesday nights left. Douglas Zemeckis, Ph.D. who is the County Agent II (Associate Professor) of Marine Extension Agent for Ocean, Atlantic, Monmouth Counties, County Extension Department Head (CEDH) and his group did an outstanding job putting all the guest speakers together for you to get the most educational, scientific information available on many marine topics. I know there were many new individuals that attended this year. If you miss it, do not miss it next year. Douglas Zemeckis, Ph.D., is a great resource for you to contact for answers on any marine or fishery topic. If he does have the answer, he will get you in contact with someone that does.
2025 JCAA High Roller Raffle Tickets are currently being sold. This is one of JCAA fundraisers that helps JCAA to continue to fight for you. If you are looking to purchase a book or two contact the JCAA Office at 732-506-6565 and leave a message. I will respond to you to help you get the number books you are requesting. More about the High Roller Raffle, read the article in this newsletter and us until the drawing in July.
JCAA had a booth at the Saltwater Fishing Expo on March 14th – 16th (New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison, NJ). I would like to thank those individuals that volunteered. They did an excellent job contacting others that attended the expo informing them about JCAA. I will publish an article in next month’s newsletter listing those individuals and their clubs. More individuals need to be like them.
To all recreational clubs, JCAA Membership Secretary John Toth has mailed out JCAA club dues invoices. If you have not received your club’s invoice, please contact John. We know that club officers change in some clubs every year and contact information may change which could be the possible issue. We would like to update our records, which is important for JCAA to contact your club. Please send that information to us as this happens or any changes.
If you belong to a recreational fishing club, not currently a member club of Jersey Coast Anglers Association, contact John Toth also. JCAA Membership Secretary John Toth at (732) 656-0138 or tothjohn@verizon.net.
JCAA is always looking for more individuals to get more involved with JCAA at all diverse levels. Let me know if you are interested at (732) 245-9445.
Get Involved, Voice Your Concerns, Unite as a Community and Protect the Future of Recreational Fishing.
Important Information: The Next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for April 29th at 7:30pm, held in person at 385 Herbertsville Rd., Brick, NJ 08724 with a zoom meeting invite (Hybrid Meeting).