Funding

The Bureau of Marine Fisheries, Division of Fish and Wildlife, historically has received less than half of its funding from state appropriations. The Division has not received a funding increase in 20 years. Obviously, the state does not feel that New Jersey’s marine anglers are worth the money even though they bring in huge tourism dollars and provide a quality of life issue for over a million of its residents.

Consider this: The state of New Jersey receives over $40,000,000 in sales tax revenue from angling-related purchases. Saltwater anglers in New Jersey contribute $100.3 million in state taxes. The total benefit of anglers to the economy of the State of New Jersey is approximately $1.3 billion dollars. This includes Transportation, Fuel, Food/Lodging, Tackle, etc.

At the same time, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries (Bureau) was allocated $1.77 million in general funding in 2010 and next year the budget appropriation will be cut to $686,000. This represents less than a 1% reinvestment of the $100 million state tax benefit recreational angling provides to the state. This percentage drops even lower when contributions from the commercial fishing industry are considered. Somehow that doesn’t seem fair. The first move is that the state needs to increase its commitment to the Marine Resources of New Jersey by tripling the 2010 appropriation, not cutting it to less than half for 2011.

New Hampshire who has a coastline of 9 miles spends $9 million. North Carolina has a budget for their Marine Fisheries of over $20 million. I would suggest that New Jersey should appropriate at least $10 million in the 2011 budget. If you agree I urge you to call or write your state Senator and Assemblyman and let them know you have had enough and it is time that the state steps up and does its share.

There has been much talk about the National Saltwater Registry which next year could cost you approximately $15 - $25 to be sent to the federal government. NJ could institute a registry at either no cost to the angler or a minimum $2 fee. The no-cost registry bill has passed the assembly. Talk to your senators to get a bill passed that will not make you in 2011 purchase a federal registry.

There is also talk about other ways to fund the Bureau of Marine Fisheries. Among those are a proper budget appropriation, a saltwater license, a conservation lottery and a license plate. These may or may not have merit but should they even be considered if the state is unwilling to do its share by returning some of the money that anglers already provide to the NJ treasury? I think not.

According to a 2002 Southwick’s Associates, Inc report, a conservation lottery could generate as much as $76 million annually for fisheries and natural resources. License plates could generate an additional $248,000 per year for fisheries management. We all know that there is a state excise tax on all fuel we purchase. Connecticut dedicates $1.2 million of the fuel tax to boating and fisheries management programs.

A recreational Saltwater Fishing License is projected to generate between $6.9 and $9.2 million depending on who would be required to have a license. On the issue of a saltwater license there are certain must haves for this to even be considered.

1. NY - NJ and NJ – Delaware reciprocity. There should not be a need for anglers to purchase an additional license to fish common waters.
2. All funds received from a SW License must be used for the betterment of the recreational angling resource of NJ and protected by a constitutional amendment.
3. Any funds received from a SW license should be matched by money from the general fund.
4. All funding for enforcement must come from the state budget funding. Over 50% of the enforcement is spent on commercial enforcement or clamming beds. Recreational anglers should not have to pay for that.
5. The Division of Fish and Wildlife must be free from hiring freezes.

In 2003 the boat registration fees were doubled. The anglers of NJ have seen very little benefit from the increased fees. In fact, some of the money is being given as a grant to put in tide turbines for an insurance company. What does this have to do with angling?

The four-wheel drive fishing permits at Island Beach State Park were increased from $125 to $195. All this money goes into the general fund.

No one idea or one group will solve the issues facing the anglers of New Jersey. Each of you must get involved. JCAA has not voted to endorse any of these proposals at this time. Join JCAA or one of the recreational angling groups and get active at looking at these funding alternatives to come up with the right one. In fact, why not join all the recreational angling groups. They are all working for the benefit of recreational anglers. Working together we will be able to improve and preserve the angling experience for our children and grandchildren.