Anyone have info -- bass regs

[jaymann2003]

I'm told the Legislature did NOT pass the new striper regs which means it won't get done in time for the August 1 federal dealine, potentially shutting down the fishery. Anyone have an info or updates on this?

[NIGHTSTRIKES]

Jay,
We Are Still Waiting,the Jury is Still Out On
This One.I assume that we should be hearing
something soon as the Deadline Approaches....

Stay Tuned,,,,

[ 06-30-2004, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: NIGHTSTRIKES ]

[jaymann2003]

Thanks Night,
I was told that Dusty Rhoads is reporting the effort to legislate the new regs is done, with RFA and JCAA opposing some aspect of the wording leading to its tabling. Much is heard in this business ...

[NIGHTSTRIKES]

Originally posted by jaymann2003:
Thanks Night,
I was told that Dusty Rhoads is reporting the effort to legislate the new regs is done, with RFA and JCAA opposing some aspect of the wording leading to its tabling. Much is heard in this business ... Yep,
I heard the Same Thing, The JCAA Ripped The
RFA in the July Newsletter.....

[NIGHTSTRIKES]

Senate on break, striped bass season goes on

Published in the Asbury Park Press 6/30/04
By:John Geiser

It is probable that there will be a striped bass season in the fall, despite the fact that the state Senate broke for the summer without addressing the striper rules.
The state Legislature sets the rules for the New Jersey striped bass fishery within the guidelines set down by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

The ASMFC notified New Jersey months ago that more stringent laws would have to be implemented, and Assemblyman Bob Smith, D-Gloucester, and New Jersey's legislative representative to the ASMFC, promised the commission's striped bass board that he would have new rules in place by the August meeting.

He did his part by immediately introducing a striped bass bill, and then rushing it through the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and ultimately through the Assembly. However, nothing similar happened on the Senate side.

The Senate version of the bill was not heard in committee because there was no committee hearing scheduled before the summer recess.

Smith's bill, though supported by the majority of anglers who turned out at the state's three hearings, did not have total support among the state's fishermen. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, with thousands of members, both opposed Smith's measure.

Smith's proposal was: one fish between 24 and less than 28 inches; one fish at 34 inches or more, and a third fish 28 inches or over with a bonus tag.

The other popular proposal was: two fish at 28 inches or more and a third fish 28 inches or more with a bonus tag. The JCAA and the federation supported this proposal.

It is no secret that the state Division of Fish and Wildlife supports two fish at 28 inches or more with no bonus program.

Since the Senate will not meet again until September, Smith will be forced to go back to the ASMFC board the fourth week in August, and try to assure the members that New Jersey is trying.

If the board votes New Jersey out of compliance, it would not mean an immediate closure of the fishery. The ASMFC typically waits about a week or two before notifying the Secretary of Commerce who, in turn, will put pressure on the state administration, and by that time the Senate would hopefully have acted and the rules be set.

Thomas P. Fote, legislative chairman of the JCAA and a member of the ASMFC, believes New Jersey will be in compliance sometime in September.

"I didn't support this bill, but we have to move some kind of a bill," he said. "And, as I see it, we've got to do everything we can to get into compliance."

Fote said he has been concerned about the timing, whatever the bill, from the beginning.

"I've been wondering how we were going to get this passed before the recess," he said. "The Senate had no committee hearings scheduled, and, when they passed the budget, they just packed up and went home."

Tony Bogan, a spokesman for the United Boatmen, said he was disappointed that the bill was not acted upon for two reasons: 1) it will leave New Jersey out of compliance, and 2) the filleting exception for party and charter boatmen, which was part of the bill, will not be in place.

[ 06-30-2004, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: NIGHTSTRIKES ]

[Eric G]

It is no secret that the state Division of Fish and Wildlife supports two fish at 28 inches or more with no bonus program.

But charge $60 to run the bonus program...
:confused:

Also, what happens if we're out of compliance, doesn't State regs supercede within 3 miles ?? :confused: Will the feds start a blockcade?? :rolleyes:

[ 07-01-2004, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: Eric G ]

[NJAngler Bill]

This is all a real shame, and again NJ ends up looking like the ASMFC bastard child. I'm completely embarrased. We are the only state that could not get its act together and come up with regulations for 2004.

Yes, the bill has stalled, and yes, we will be found out of compliance come 8/1. After that, anything can happen and there is a very real possibility that the fishery will be SHUT DOWN after the ASMFC meeting on 8/16. I know there is an appeals process and I know that there are ways to postpone a closure, but at some point ASMFC is going to say "enough is enough" and drop the hammer on NJ. I just hope it doesn't happen...particularly for the charter guys who depend on that striper fishery for their livelihood.

Very disappointing.

[TWIN D'S]

I'd love to know where Mr Geiser gets his info. At the Avalon meeting, the state reps there were clearly intent on runnimg the trophy tag program, and it seemed to me agreed with my statement that we desperately needed the data that is a byproduct of that program. :confused:

As far as a closure, I wouldn't for one second dismiss the idea that the bass season will close on August 1st. The NJ gamefish status thing isn't very popular with many of the commissioners. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if when the legislature/senate reconvene, the topic doesn't come up. That idea was clearly stated at the meeting in Avalon by the comm rep.

Phil

[TWIN D'S]

Originally posted by NIGHTSTRIKES:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by jaymann2003:
Thanks Night,
I was told that Dusty Rhoads is reporting the effort to legislate the new regs is done, with RFA and JCAA opposing some aspect of the wording leading to its tabling. Much is heard in this business ... Yep,
I heard the Same Thing, The JCAA Ripped The
RFA in the July Newsletter..... </font>[/QUOTE]Yes, I got my copy of the JCAA newsletter and saw the same thing. The gloves are off re: JCAA vs RFA. In my opinion, the JCAA argument is weak.

First, they argue their position based on "simplicity". There's nothing simple about any of this. When I fish the Delaware Bay I have to remember a number of sets of regs, for NJ and DE for fluke, weakfish, tog,and striped bass. Then, when I head upriver, I gotta' know where the line is for the spawning season on bass, whether I have to use circle hooks, whether I need a license, on and on ad nauseum. I'm supposed to be concerned about simplicity?????? When they take the simple burdens I fish under in the river/bay complex off my back, I'll be concerned about simplicity. Second, they argue that they are worried the 300,000 lbs of quota in the trophy program will be used up. So what? We already take like 3 million pounds of bass in NJ. Maybe I missed the point. :confused: Won't be the first time.

Now, imagine the state pols convening about this matter and the com reps, who have reps on the ASMFC who can close the season down, discussing the piddly 300,000 lbs of bass of game fish status in contrast to our millions.

Of course, the disappointing thing is two major rec organizations couldn't develop a consensus on this matter. That IS disappointing.

Enjoy the evening. smile.gif

Phil

[TWIN D'S]

Wanted to add, the gamefish status is now an issue, in my opinion.

Phil

[CapeMayRay]

Proposal 4, the one that the majority of those that attended the hearings, was the most conservative in regards to the fish and had a good shot at passing until the JCAA got in the act and didn't like what was proposed. They should of got their members out there earlier like everyone else who was concerned. Their members didn't want to take their time and express their opinions like the rest of us, who took the time to attend. Seems like all JCAA did is force us to go out of compliance a screw those of us in the charter industy and those recreational anglers, when we get shut down. Life is complicated, and so are fishery regulations, but we are all big boys and can learn to adapt.

Bill, you are right, it is a down right shame our state couldn't get its act together. It makes us look bad.

[Frank Mihalic]

Originally posted by Eric G:
It is no secret that the state Division of Fish and Wildlife supports two fish at 28 inches or more with no bonus program.

But charge $60 to run the bonus program...
:confused:

Also, what happens if we're out of compliance, doesn't State regs supercede within 3 miles ?? :confused: Will the feds start a blockcade?? :rolleyes: This sounds like an excellent plan to me!

If you want a bonus tag, you should pay for taking more of the resource and it's administrative costs...Tags should NOT be replenished...2per year, thats it! ( You know, a TRUE trophy fish program?) Not a sham to let some keep extra.

If we raise the minimum size, we will have a few years untill the smaller fish reach that size. At that time, the average fish caught will be that size.

Are we concerned with conserving the species? Or simply how many fish can we kill, LEGALLY?

Give back to nature. Help the resource.


Again, embaresed...The only state who can not comply...but we sure can complain!
I am sure a law suit (another great idea, right?) will be filed on behalf of the inefective officials who dropped the ball.

[RalphD]

Twin D's - I was at the meeting also and agree that the state reps clearly wanted the bonus program.

This is not the only misrepresentation by Geiser (and Ristori for that matter) of what transpired at the Avalon meeting. Their reports of the meeting were inaccurate on many accounts. Don't let the facts get in the way of a good report.

As I recall the JCAA rep (Tom Siciliano I think) pretty much withdrew his position on the (2) at 28" + 28" bonus due to the overwhelming vote for Option 4 by both attendees representing groups and individuals such as myself.

I also remember Bob Smith clearly stating that he didn't think there was the "Political Will" to approve a fee for the bonus program which must mean that he thought he could get the needed funds approved for the program since both he and the state reps said it was critical to management in NJ. This doesn't mean that the political will won't suddenly return after the election.

[NJAngler Bill]

I am going to address this in my column in our next (August) issue, but I will say here what very few outdoor writers will have the gumption to say.

The reason why the bill didn't pass is because the two organizations that we rely on to represent our interests...JCAA and RFA...could not work together effectively enough to get it done. They each went in different directions and the result is that we are out of compliance.

I go to great lengths to support both organizations because they both bring tremendous value and influence to the table. And, I will continue to do so. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people in both organizations. But, they gotta learn to work together and that's that. It's only fair to the anglers in our state.

Another reason why we are out of compliance is that there was a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding about what the angling public wanted. This is because almost nobody attended the three public hearings. Lots of people complaining now, but where were you when the hearings were being held?

Sorry for the rambling, I'm just real disappointed, that's all.

[NIGHTSTRIKES]

Originally posted by NJAngler Bill:


Another reason why we are out of compliance is that there was a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding about what the angling public wanted. This is because almost nobody attended the three public hearings. Lots of people complaining now, but where were you when the hearings were being held?

Sorry for the rambling, I'm just real disappointed, that's all. Me To Bill,Very Disappointed..
Its Always the Case whether the topic is
Regulations or Beach Access.
I have been trying to put the word out all year
to get to these meetings and voice your concerns
before its too late..
And It Seems- Its Now To Late.....

Its Going To Get Real Ugly Around Here
in N.J. this Fall.....

[CapeMayRay]

Well put Bill. It makes our state look like we are bunch of Bozo's We had plenty of time to get our act together. Going back to the hearings it looked like only a few hundred people in total cared about stripers and now thousands of fisherman have to suffer. Lets hope next time they have fisheries hearings those that care will show up. A hard lesson to learn.