We've spent the last three weeks providing as much information as we could about why Election Day is important to those who enjoy fishing and hunting. We've shown how oversight is in a state of decay, we've watched how those opposed to our values are taking political control and slowly stripping us of our freedoms, we've also watched as the health of our forests erodes.

Before our eyes we see science being replaced with emotion for the management of fish and game, we've been introduced to confusing new terms such as "over-fished;" a word that is used to close down fisheries even when there is an abundance of fish.

Anglers, hunters and conservationists are being regarded by some in political positions as insignificant - even though we are in the majority. We are treated as if we damage the environment when we are in fact true environmental stewards. Our apathy has allowed those that oppose us attain positions of power and influence over us.

Today, Election Day, we have a chance to make a difference. We have a chance to show we are the majority. We can assert that we are environmental stewards and that we should be recognized as such.

Those who differ with our values and detest our way of life have publicly announced their endorsement of Governor Corzine. On the other hand, Mr. Chris Christie has stated in ads, speeches and one-on-one conversations with anglers, hunters and conservationists that he understands the value of our love and respect for the outdoors.

I'll end my 2009 election information with the following quote from someone many of us have depended on for snippets of advice since we were children:

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite. Or waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting. ~Dr. Seuss

What are we waiting for? The future is ours for the taking. If you agree, send this to as many people as you can today.

Seize the day.
`



Ant

The outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen of New Jersey have the chance to be a major voice in the 2009 election, a voice that can resonate for decades, a voice that has long been missing from the political landscape. The elements have come together, like the perfect storm, for us to seize the day or be destined to grumble about how anglers, hunters and environmental stewards have tumbled into insignificance.

Anthony Mauro, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Candidates had their day, now voters have their say

By Bob Ingle November 1, 2009

TRENTON - Now comes the only election poll that really matters - the voters deciding on Tuesday who they want to run the state for the next four years. It's not brain surgery, all it calls for is logic and unemotional thinking.

Jon Corzine: If you liked the past four years, if you think you're better off now than you were before, you'll love the next four if the governor wins another term. He has not given any indication he would do anything different. In fact, he will take a victory as a signal you want more of the same.

Chris Daggett: He is very much like Corzine, "Corzine Light" some people call him... Daggett can't win. He's a spoiler. A vote for him is a vote for Corzine... People are suspicious of Daggett, largely unknown until he showed up and got enough contributions to be in the ELEC debates. Some think Democrats put him into the race because without him draining votes Chris
Christie would win easily.

Chris Christie: ...Christie is not perfect, nobody is, but there is no argument that when he was appointed U.S. Attorney his detractors said he would be a disaster and he made fools of them. He also sent crooked politicians to jail who had been ripping off New Jersey for a long time while their colleagues and fellow "public servants" turned their heads.

http://www.app.com/article/20091101/OPINION05/911010330/1093

__________________________________________________ ____________

Wind and rain doesn't deter sportsmen -- or Chris Christie -- from rally

By Al Ristori

October 29, 2009, 7:40PM ledger

Despite a dire rain and wind forecast that even led to cancellation of the Hi-Mar Fall Striper Tournament, sportsmen filled the stands at last Saturday's New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) Rescue Our Outdoors Rally at New Egypt Speedway to cheer on NJOA-endorsed candidate for governor Chris Christie as well as state legislators supporting fishing and hunting.

NJOA President Anthony Mauro Sr. said there was pressure on the NJOA to remain neutral in the race for governor, but the trustees felt it was "the right thing to do" in endorsing Christie - who was enthusiastically received at the end of the program as he pledged to support issues of concern to the fishing and hunting public.

Fortunately, there was only some light rain during the program, as NJOA-endorsed 3rd District Democratic Assembly members John Burzichelli and Celeste Riley spoke, followed by Assembly Republicans Caroline Casagrande and Declan O'Scanlon (Dist. 32) plus Ronald Dancer and Joe Malone (Dist. 30), Senator Martha Karrow (R-Dist. 23), and longest-serving Assemblyman John Rooney (Dist. 39) - an avid striper fisherman who's retiring this year.

Pete Grimbilas was also on hand to speak about progress in getting pots off the reefs legislation through now that Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden), who has prevented any vote on the bill, is leaving the Assembly. ASMFC Commissioner Tom Fote of Toms River brought the rally up to date on the sea bass closure in federal waters, and the measures being taken to overturn it. He mentioned a letter from Acting N.J. DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello to U.S. Commerce

Secretary Gary Locke asking for reconsideration of the sea bass closure on the basis of scientific evidence indicating improved stocks - and asking "that in the future all affected state agencies be consulted when making decisions concerning closure of fisheries."

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association holds their annual Sportsperson-of-the-Year Dinner Dance on Sunday, Nov. 15 at Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant. Freshman N.J. congressmen John Adler and Leonard Lance are the speakers. Individual tickets are $75. Call Dan Miller at 609 660-2126.

Check my blog at nj.com/shore/blogs/fishing for additional fishing information.

http://www.nj.com/shore/blogs/fishing/index.ssf/2009/10/wind_and_rain_doesnt_deter_spo.html

Fished on Fins open boat trip last night (10/29) with Greg V and four other guys. 4:30 PM to 9:30PM. Not sure where the Small Craft Adv. came from? Beautiful night on the water. Yes, Ron & Frank left Gale at the dock! (Long Story)

Started out clamming, with Greg having the hot hand. I think he may have had 4 keepers before I put one in the boat. The clam bite died right around dark but we were called in to a semi hot bite at the Sandy Hook Rip. The traffic was horrible so Frank decided to move out a little. I believe we put four or five more (bigger) fish into the boat using eels. Nothing real big, largest fish maybe 34". Nothing for Ron on eels.

Finished the night with a boat limit & a couple new friends. Thanks Capt Frank & Jerry. Can't wait for our Thanksgiving AM Tog trip.

Just before we left the marina I ran into an old friend who told me the bay was full of bluefish all along the beach, from Leonardo light house to Atl Highlands. Didn't make a difference what you threw at them you could catch all you wanted. He said he caught & released about 25 then got tired & quite.  Sure enough, as we were leaving the marina, I could see birds working all along the beach. I guess they are feeding heavy before they run south? I hope they stay in the bay because I haven't been bothered by b a bluefish on the last 3 Striper trips. Now that is a good thing!

Diversion of Sea Life Protection Funds Threatens $42 Mln Industry


Senator Marcia Karrow, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said the Corzine administration has quietly taken $850,356 from shellfish protection funds as the state’s budget crisis has worsened. The transfer of these dedicated funds was not authorized in the budget passed by the Legislature and threatens to shut down an industry that provides jobs well beyond the Jersey Shore, Karrow said.

“The diversions threaten to kill desperately needed jobs in the state’s $42 million shellfish harvesting industry during one of the worst recessions in history,” Karrow said. “This idiotic move was made by a governor who keeps trying to persuade the public that he job creation is his top priority.”

The Atlantic City Press has reported that some of the diverted funds are used to ensure that no shellfish are harvested from polluted areas. Without certification that harvested clams and oysters are not be taken from polluted areas, the federal Food and Drug Administration will not allow the sale New Jersey shellfish, fishermen say.

“The New Jersey shellfish industry generates $42 million in annual revenue for fishermen and estimated $250 million in economic benefits for the state,” Karrow said. “The Corzine administration should have never diverted this money, even if it did have the legal authority to do so without the Legislature’s approval.”

Karrow urged the treasurer to restore the money to the shellfish protection funds and to stop taking money that can’t be diverted without legislative approval.

“The governor can’t make up for his failed fiscal policies by ignoring the law,” Karrow said. The Atlantic City Press story is below:

____________________________________________________________________________________

Clam bed patrol loses New Jersey funds
By RICHARD DEGENER Staff Writer, 609-463-6711 | Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009 |

ATLANTIC CITY - New Jersey's shell fishermen are concerned cutbacks in state funding for marine enforcement could jeopardize their ability to get their clams and oysters to market.

State Division of Fish and Game Director David Chanda told the state Marine Fisheries Council recently that his department's shellfish program lost $850,000 in funding for the fiscal year budget that began July 1.

Some of the that money would have funded the DEP's patrols of clam beds. The Food and Drug Administration re quires the patrols; without them, the FDA may not approve the shipping of New Jersey shellfish to out-of state markets.

"It's a grave concern for us right now. (DEP) Commissioner (Mark) Mauriello wasn't able to stop it. We, like most everybody else in state government, are reacting to less resources," Chanda said Sept. 3.

The patrols cover back-bay areas to make sure shellfish are not taken from polluted waters. The FDA's approvals for interstate shipping, however, would apply to all shellfish, including ocean clams and even Delaware Bay oysters that are taken from waters that carry no pollution concerns.

"The (state) treasurer's office already came and took the money. It went to the general fund. We're actively trying to get the funds reinstated, or at least get them back for the coming year," said Scot Mackey, a spokesman for the Garden State Seafood Association.

Most shellfish harvested in New Jersey, Mackey pointed out, are shipped out of state. Atlantic City's ocean clamming industry, which harvested 35.3 million pounds of quahogs and surf clams last year worth more than $24 million, ships most of the product out of state for processing. The same is true at other clam docks in the state, including Point Pleasant and the port of Cape May-Wildwood.

The majority of the hard clams caught in the inland bays, an industry worth at least $8 million per year, and Delaware Bay oysters, a $3.6 million-per-year business, also are shipped across state lines.

Todd Reeves, of Harbor House Packing in Port Norris, Cumberland County, sends Delaware Bay oysters all over the country. Reeves said they couldn't sell this year's harvest, expected to be about 80,000 bushels, just in New Jersey.

"It would be crippling to the whole industry. You might as well just pull the plug on this town," Reeves said.

The oyster boats here employ about 100 men, Reeves noted, and there are also jobs in the packing plants and loading docks.

"It's a trickle down. The mechanic, the welder. There's nothing else for people to do around here," Reeves said.
Mackey said the shellfish business is worth more than $42 million per year in New Jersey, and this is just the money paid to fishermen. He said the value is multiplied six times as the product is processed and other businesses cash in on the economic ripple effect of the industry.

"That's $250 million as it goes through all the processors, canners, shippers and everybody," Mackey said.

The association is stressing that the money generates state tax revenue, including sales and income taxes.

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said the state needs to protect fishing jobs and can't allow tax revenues to be lost, which he noted is leading to "raiding of funds" from some programs to begin with.

"At a time of declining revenues we can't allow policies to be implemented that reduce revenues further," said Van Drew.

Waters known to be polluted are broken down into low-, medium- and high-risk zones with the number of required patrols based on the risks. Darlene Yuhas, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the state is currently meeting "the minimum basic level of compliance" for the patrols.

Assistant DEP Commissioner Amy Cradic said the FDA assesses the program every year and has pushed for more patrols. Cradic said in spite of the cuts the state would
continue to meet the FDA requirements.

"These are tough budget times. We recognize the importance of the industry, and if we need to prioritize funding we will do what is necessary. We're meeting the basic level of compliance and we meet annually with the FDA to make sure we are meeting that mandate," said Cradic.

FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said that if a state falls out of compliance, an action plan is worked out to meet the mandate. Kwisnek said taking away shellfish transportation approval is rare but she noted it would apply even to shellfish caught in other states but shipped through New Jersey. While it would apply to all clams and oysters, Kwisnek said with scallops it would only apply to those shippped in the shell or the roe of scallops. Sea scallops are the No. 1 catch in New Jersey but most are shucked at sea and only the meat is shipped. Kwisnek these would not fall under the program.

Chanda said the division's inland programs might not be as hard hit because they have dedicated funding from hunting and freshwater fishing licenses. The marine programs do not have dedicated funding and those funds were cut.

"There's obviously going to be an impact on our programs including habitat restoration, law enforcement and clamming work," Chanda said.

Ocean clams, including surf clams and ocean quahogs, used to be processed in New Jersey but other than one processing plant in Millville, Cumberland County, most are now shipped to factories in the south. The industry for years has blamed strict DEP requirements for driving clam-shucking plants out of state.

Hard clams, which are caught in the bays, are in demand at the New Jersey shore in the summer months, but most are shipped to New York, Philadelphia and other markets the
rest of the year.

While all catches of ocean clams are logged, reporting requirements for bay hard clams are not as strict; a 2000 study indicated that the $8 million-per-year industry is underreported by at least half.

Below was written by Capt Adam (Karen ANN) and I thought it was a great report on how to help YOUR / OUR battle for fishing rights, get more educated and a great resource of information. Some of it has been posted before but its worth seeing again. Thanks Capt Adam


1) Join an organization - www.joinrfa.com

2) Educate yourself on the general history of fisheries management (specifically, introduction of Magnuson-Stevens in the 70's, Sustainable Fisheries Act in '96 and the most recent re-Authorization this decade) and who the current relavent orgs are (you should know NMFS, MSA, EEZ, MAFMC, ASMFC, MRFSS, NJ MFC). Hours are spent learning how to tie a specific rig or finding a particular spot, spend some time learning about the management process. Here's a place to start - http://www.karenannii.com/articles/007.cfm

3) Educate yourself on the specific issues at hand. Here are links to fluke (http://www.karenannii.com/articles/012.cfm) and sea bass (http://www.karenannii.com/articles/014.cfm).

4) Contact your federal Congressmen at the House and Senate level. You can find your rep here - http://whoismyrepresentative.com/ Ask specific questions. What is your position on the black sea bass closure? Why is black sea bass being closed when the stock is not overfished? Why was the best available science not used in determining 2010 quotas? What are you doing to expedite improvements in the fatally flawed MRFSS system? Call/write as many times as you have to until you get an answer that satisfies you that your representative is educated on the issue and is working for you, their constituent.

5) Attend public meetings such as the NJ Marine Fisheries Council meeting that occurs every other month. Meeting schedule and directions here - http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/mcnclmtg.htm I see plenty of posts for taking time off to go fishing for a day, take a couple of hours and show that you care enough by being in attendance. Attend additional opportunities for public comment such as last evening's striped bass/weakfish meeting in Toms River (thanks to the 30 or so persons that made it last nite).

6) Log on to njfishing.com and share your experiences with the above and help educate and encourage others to do the same.

If everyone traded the total amount of time and money that goes into one fishing trip on an annual basis for the above, a difference can be made.
__________________

__________________
SUPPORTER / CONTRIBUTOR SSFFF
MEMBER RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANCE