Posted on 11/06/2009 1:43 PM
RFA & ALLIES OFFICIALLY FILE SUIT ON SEA BASS
Charges NMFS With "Failure to Comply With The Law"
November 6, 2009 - In a 40-page legal challenge submitted before the U.S. District Court of New Jersey on November 4, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and industry allies have officially brought legal action against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke due to the recent recreational closure of the Atlantic recreational black sea bass fishery. The challenge contends that the recent closure is not only unprecedented for a fish whose stocks are considered rebuilt and not overfished, but that the action is also based upon "misapplication and misuse of a fatally flawed angler survey which NMFS itself has acknowledged is not to be used for this type of decision."
Filed for a dozen specifically named plaintiffs, the official complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief requested expedited consideration in hopes of reversing the six-month sea bass closure as quickly as possible on behalf all saltwater anglers and fishery dependent businesses. According to Capt. Tony Bogan, plaintiff of the United Boatmen, the recent closure of sea bass is only a part of legal equation. "This goes way behind sea bass," Bogan said of the legal argument, adding "it addresses the potential action by NMFS in the future to arbitrarily close fisheries on a whim or because of survey trends or ideology.'
By closing a recreational fishery based on the fatally flawed recreational survey (MRFSS), the suit contends that the government violated numerous provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and National Standard guidelines issued by NMFS. Additionally, it charges the defendants with ignoring countervailing information and for failure to consider less severe alternatives. "As a result of defendants' actions, and failure to comply with the law, the Plaintiffs have suffered, and will continue to suffer, immediate, substantial and irreparable harm, for which there is no adequate remedy at law, and for which they seek expedited relief."
Herb Moore, Jr., RFA co-counsel said the disregard for the spirit and intent of the Magnuson Stevens Act is one thing, but the clear disregard for the legal requirements of the federal fisheries law is something that leads him to be cautiously optimistic. "These cases are very hard to win, but I think we've got some very strong arguments," Moore said, adding "NMFS was extremely arrogant with their sea bass decision and we're calling them out on this one." Moore charges that NMFS was very deliberate in their actions, explaining "they purposely chose an insular approach designed to block public scrutiny by claiming that they had good cause to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment."
To view full legal challenge submitted on behalf of the recreational fishing community, visit the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) homepage at www.joinrfa.org (see RFA Legal Defense Fund - The Fight For Angler's Rights.) Anglers and business owners interested in joining the coalition and supporting the legal challenge are encouraged to look for the Donate button on the RFA homepage. Donations may also be mailed to:
RFA Legal Defense Fund
PO Box 3080
New Gretna, NJ 08224
A national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues, the RFA is dedicating all checks made payable to the RFA Legal Defense Fund directly towards these legal efforts outlined above. All donations will be tracked individually, from all groups and individual anglers.
As of the court filing date, $18,855 in donations have been collected towards the initial challenge, though the plaintiffs expect that the real fight is now set to begin.
"This is the beginning of the battle, not the ending by any means," said Moore.
Posted on 11/06/2009 1:17 PM
I picked this up from NJFISHING.com
The Lawsuit Has Been Filed! November 6, 2009 - The official complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief with “expedited consideration” has been filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic recreational community. Filed against the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, NOAA and NMFS on behalf of the sea bass closure, United Boatmen, the RFA and its allies need your help! CLICK HERE to view the full legal challengeFor more details and to find out how YOU can help support our efforts in this matter, go to: UnitedBoatmen.com and JoinRFA.org
Posted on 11/06/2009 9:56 AM
| | Recreational Fishing Alliance Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732 | For Immediate Release November 6, 2009 |
| RFA PRAISES RHODE ISLAND GOVERNOR FOR VETO
Saltwater License Is Not A Federal Requirement November 3, 2009 - The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) today praised Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri for using his veto power to quash a proposed law to ban saltwater fishing in Rhode Island waters without a license. The new user fee on saltwater fishing had been approved in a nine-hour session of the part-time General Assembly on October 30, and would've required that saltwater anglers purchase a state license to legally fish in coastal waters as of January 1, 2010.
"To be able to fish the saltwaters of Rhode Island is a birthright," said Governor Carcieri. In a letter to the Rhode Island Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor Carcieri outlined his reasons for disapproving of the legislation and respectfully urged the support of the veto. "This is the Ocean State. It is a place where people have been free, up to now, to cast a line into Narragansett Bay without government intrusion," he said.
"We're with the governor on this," said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. "I know there are some fishermen who think that all this money was going to go to great use, but when you look at what's happening with dedicated funding in other states it's very hard to justify another bloated user fee, especially when funds are going solely to state administrative costs." Donofrio points to recent issues with both Connecticut and New York fishing licenses as perfect examples of a well-intentioned nightmare. "Connecticut fast-tracked a $10 saltwater license this past June, which suddenly skyrocketed to $30 by the fall in the face of a state budget deficit," Donofrio said. "If Connecticut follows ahead with plans to charge out-of-staters $60 to fish in saltwater, where do you think traveling anglers will go in 2010 to fish on vacation?"
In New York, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer recently called on the state's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to completely overhaul its saltwater license plan and incorporate a free registration to satisfy the data-collection needs of the federal fisheries service, or NMFS. "The new system is too complex and too restrictive for fishing families," Schumer said of the new saltwater license in New York, adding that he's made an appeal to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the DEC to establish a system that is that is free and permanent.
The Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA), the nation's primary fisheries law, requires NMFS to implement of a registry of saltwater anglers. A free federal registry is scheduled to go online in 2010 with exemptions given to states with their own registry in place by 2011. "This is being done so we can get more accurate data and science to manage our fisheries," Donofrio said, explaining that a mandated "phone book" of anglers could be accomplished without asking anglers to pay administrative costs. "We have simple registry legislation written and ready to roll in other states, but some activists and legislators in Rhode Island chose to ignore the registry requirements and focus solely on the funding portion."
"The federal government wants a more accurate and efficient means for acquiring recreational catch and effort data," explained Carcieri. "This is hardly a compelling reason or exigent circumstance warranting the imposition of any fee and licensing requirement on a Rhode Island citizen who occasionally takes his or her children fishing," the governor added.
Elisa Jackman at Snug Harbor Marina of Wakefield, RI said she's appreciative of Governor Carcieir's decision. "Snug Harbor Marina fully supports the Governor's decision to veto the saltwater fishing license, and hopes our elected legislators will also favor his decision and protect our angler's Constitutional right."
"Governor Carcieri recognized this license attempt for what it was, pure spin and an attempt to get more money into the general fund," Donofrio said. "We thank the governor for using his veto power to protect all the saltwater anglers who fish Rhode Island waters, not just those willing to pay top dollar to do so." |
| About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org. |
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Posted on 11/06/2009 5:07 AM
Hello everyone. Some of you may get this email a couple of times due to the way that my Outlook is set up, please forgive me. Our operations are based next to Ft Hood and this tragedy hits very close to home. For anyone that has a passion for the military men and women this type of thing hits hard. Especially if you know someone that is stationed here. I am sending out this email as a way that you can make a specific difference in the lives of the victims of this shooting. We are asking for monetary donations to directly help the families that are affected. There are a number of organizations that are showing support and we all know that the holidays are coming soon. Some of these families will be without someone, making it even more difficult. Children will need gifts, turkey dinners, Christmas dinners and so on. You get the picture. If anyone of you know who I am, you know that I hate the need to be RE-active VS. being PRO-active but here we are as the picture unfolds before us. The fact of the matter is there are families that now have someone missing and they need our support. Forget the media for now and they why and the how come and let's band together and make a difference. Together we can make a difference in these soldiers and families life. They were brought to the war front prematurely and without being armed and no one ever says that is bound to happen...but it did. Now is the time to be reactive and help who we can right now and let our soldiers overseas know that America is still behind them no matter where they are. Please pass this email around to all of your friends and to their friends and so on. Please donate to help this effort so that we can help these families. This is what we are about -- SOLDIERS HELPING SOLDIERS -- Please keep these soldiers and their families in your heart and prayers. We will be accepting donations to support the families in the aftermath to help them pick up the pieces and help them move forward. When making a donation please annotate "FT HOOD" on the donation. For PayPal or Credit Card you can go here: http://www.takeasoldierfishing.com/donate.asp If mailing a check please make the check out to: Combat Warrior Crisis Network 3450 FM 1829 Gatesville, Tx 76528 Together we can make a difference! Mike Nashif Founder/President
Respectfully, Mike Nashif - President Combat Warrior Crisis Network www.combatwarriorcrisisnetwork.org www.takeasoldierfishing.org www.takeasoldierhunting.org Freedom Isn't Free!
Posted on 11/05/2009 5:37 PM
Stripers Forever
Mike SpinneyNovember 5 at 3:39pm
Stripers Forever members - read below the CCA's account of the vote by the Atlantic States Fishery Commission to deny the request to roll over uncaught commercial quota from one year to the next. Stripers Forever sent two bulletins to our members asking you to oppose this measure. The first message at the beginning of the public comment period asked members to write to the ASMFC, and the second asked members to write their state governors to direct their fishery managers to vote against the measure. Many members reported that they had followed through with emails and writtten communications that advocated against the additional commercial fishing measures. We think that without this pressure the votes might well have gone in the wrong direction.
Simply denying more commercial increases won't reverse the decline in the striper fishery that so many are reporting to us, but puttimg the ASMFC on notice that things aren't so great with the striper is a necessary starting point.
Stripers Forever suggests that our members write the governors of the states that voted for the commercial rollover (RI, CT, NY, NC) to complain about the actions of the their state directors. Stripers Forever will register a complaint with NMFS for their support of this measure. The commercial fishing proponents will not give up their attempts to increase their catch, and it is up to us to diligently oppose them. Here is the CCA recap of the meeting:
ASFMC Denies Increase in Commercial Striped Bass Harvest
Anglers rally to defeat proposal for commercial sector to kill more fish
Coastal Conservation Association commends the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) for denying a proposal to increase the commercial harvest of striped bass at its meeting this week in Newport, Rhode Island. The proposal would have allowed commercial fishermen to add at least half of their uncaught commercial striped bass quota to their quota for the following year. Many anglers from CCA Maine made the journey to Newport to express their concern over the status of this important fish, and their voice made a difference.
"The Striped Bass Board understands that anglers at the north and south of the striped bass range are not seeing the numbers of fish they saw even just a few years ago," said Richen Brame, CCA’s Atlantic States fisheries director. "There is cause for concern and we commend the ASMFC for taking a conservative approach."
In its formal comments before the ASMFC against the proposal, CCA cited several disturbing trends in the striped bass fishery, including a dramatic decrease in the number of striped bass caught and released by recreational fishermen, particularly in the northeastern states of New Hampshire and Maine, the prevalence of the fatal disease Mycobacteriosis among the Chesapeake Bay spawning stock, and a Fish and Wildlife Service annual survey that encountered the fewest striped bass in the survey’s history.
“While officially the stock is not overfished and not undergoing overfishing, there are signs that the overall abundance is declining,” said Brame. “The proposed action to allow the commercial industry to take more fish was not a remedy for any of the problems we are seeing with striped bass. Increasing abundance is what will fix those problems.”
While the motion was defeated by a vote of 8-6, the margin of the victory means recreational anglers will have to maintain vigilance at the ASMFC to protect the recovery of striped bass.
“After the vote on the original motion, there was immediately another motion to allow the commercial sector to rollover 25 percent of their uncaught harvest to the next year, which was also defeated,” said Brame. “We will continue to see efforts like this and it was very encouraging to hear Board members remark on the number of comments they received against this proposal from the public. Our members will have to be ready to stand up for conservation.”
The following states voted against the rollover proposal: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware,Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Voting for the proposal were Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, North Carolina and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Fish and Wildlife Service abstained.
Posted on 11/03/2009 10:32 PM
Well, it looks like we may have a new Gov. I wonder who will take credit for that? And, I wonder for how long?
Posted on 11/03/2009 7:03 AM
And don't forget to come to the meeting tonight!
Posted on 11/03/2009 7:02 AM
Not saying who or what to vote for today guys (as an officer of a 501(c) 3 I don't think I can) But, if you don't at least get out and vote then you haven't earned the right to sit back and complain about what the Pols are doing or not doing!
Posted on 10/30/2009 4:23 AM
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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!
Posted on 10/27/2009 6:25 AM
<script language=JavaScript1.3 type=text/javascript>document.writeln(timestamp(new Date(2009,9,27,7,23,0), dfrm, tfrm, 0, 0, 0, 0));</script>
2009 HI-MAR FALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Due to the horrible weather forecast given by N.O.A.A. and the dangerous conditions that the fishermen could encounter as a result of the forecast, the Tournament Committee of the Hi-Mar Striper Club canceled the tournament for the entire weekend. It was deemed the the safety of the participants was the main concern for the 26 boats that entered the tournament. Therefore, a drawing was held at the awards ceremony.
The five awards were as follows:
1st. Bob Eccles, CHA-CHING, Washington, NJ
2nd. Casey Campi, MACTAC, West Long Branch, NJ
3rd. Steve Solari, LITTLE SILVER EXPRESS, Little Silver, NJ
4th. Alan Soden Sr., ROCKEY II, Red Bank, NJ
5th. Mike Smith, SHOCK ATTACK, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Bob Kamienski
Tournament DIrector
Posted on 10/26/2009 4:24 PM
| Recreational Fishing Alliance Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732 | For Immediate Release October 26, 2009 |
| 12 MILLION U.S. SALTWATER ANGLERS IGNORED
New Federal Attempts To Circumvent Legislative Process
October 23, 2009 - A recently published federal taskforce report is causing a great deal of concern for America's recreational fishing community. For longtime members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) however, the claim that saltwater anglers have been kept out of the review process is nothing especially new. According to the RFA however, it's good to see the national sportfishing industry starting to report it as passionately as coastal stakeholders have for the past few years. The report from the president's newly appointed Interagency Oceans Policy Task Force outlines a federal initiative that could conceivably pave the way for more restrictive governmental actions in further denying access to recreational anglers, similar to what's already been accomplished in California with the marine life protection act (MLPA). RFA has been actively engaged in the MLPA battle on the west coast for over seven years, as the California RFA chapter especially has fought tirelessly against compromises made between various industry allies and hardline environmentalists. The non-scientific based Pacific Coast closures now seem poised to extend eastward as the new Interagency Oceans Policy Task Force has introduced a comprehensive federal policy for all U.S. coastal, ocean and Great Lakes waters. Under the guise of protection, the current second phase of the Task Force direction is set to develop zoning initiatives which could potentially close vast areas of fishable waters, permanently.
"In reviewing the Report, there are strategies, principles, objectives and other authorizing language that stands to have profound impacts on the recreational fishing community," said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio in official comments to Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). In writing on behalf of RFA members nationwide, Donofrio said "RFA is concerned about the relatively rapid speed at which CEQ is advancing with this initiative and the apparent lack of opportunity the average recreational angler will have when the final Policy and subsequent bureaucracy is put in place
In a recent meeting facilitated by RFA to introduce Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coastal stakeholders to the new Director of External Affairs, Andrew Winer, it was revealed that several national trade and conservation groups had actually participated in the Interagency Oceans Policy Task Force discussions. As reported by ESPN Outdoors, RFA hopes that any future discussions involving recreational anglers that will ultimately impact coastal stakeholders will actually include those coastal constituents. "We're hoping that after listening to the real stakeholders who live and breathe within these vibrant coastal communities every single day, that perhaps Mr. Winer can help us shake a little sense into these Beltway insiders who think they understand recreational fishermen," said Jim Hutchinson, Managing Director of the RFA.
While the RFA commends CEQ for bringing wide national attention to the management of our nation's marine resources, as a national saltwater political action organization representing marine businesses and users alike, RFA is opposed to any taskforce recommendations that might be enacted through the Executive branch as opposed to through legislative efforts. "Considering the broad implications and hundreds of stakeholders groups that will be affected, the most appropriate course of action would be through the Legislative branch," Donofrio said in the letter to CEQ, adding "Stakeholders would have a greater opportunity to discuss the virtues and flaws of the legislation in a more deliberate, transparent process." On June 18, Donofrio testified before the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife in a hearing convened to review H.R. 21, a bill which would establish a new national policy for our oceans. The RFA was the only recreational fishing organization invited to testify before the Congressional Committee. "RFA maintains that Magnuson must remain the nation's primary fisheries law and that any national ocean policy spawned from H.R. 21 provide guidance and recommendations to Magnuson, not supersede it," Donofrio said during the afternoon session back in June.
Several hardline environmental groups have been pressuring Congress and the Obama administration to implement new overriding marine laws, however, several key federal legislators have helped stymie the repressive ocean policy legislation. "This bill's not going to go anywhere," said Rep. Don Young (R-AK). "You may try to work it through the House, you may have the Speaker help you out, but I'll stop it dead in the Senate, because you're not going to mess with my waters in Alaska, you're not going to mess with my fishermen as you've done in the past," Young added.
Donofrio said the RFA is unnerved by glaring similarities of the new report and H.R. 21, the Ocean Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act. "This appears to be an attempt by the Executive branch to circumvent the established legislative process and enact policy that failed as legislation 5 years in a row," Donofrio said, adding "RFA believes enacting laws through Executive order and proclamation sets a dangerous precedence."
The RFA's six-page letter to White House Council on Environmental Quality is available online for review at www.joinrfa.org/press/CEQComments_101909.pdf.
To view the 10/18/09 congressional hearing on the H.R. 21 in its entirety, click here. (Jim Donofrio's testimony begins at 1:06:06) |
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Posted on 10/26/2009 4:21 PM
| | Recreational Fishing Alliance | Action Alert |
| RFA TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE
Hearing On Magnuson Stevens Act Set for October 27, 2009 at 10 a.m. October 26, 2009 - On Tuesday, October 27 at 10 a.m. (EST), the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, led by Del. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), will hold an oversight hearing on implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2006 (MSA), signed into law on January 12, 2007.
The Subcommittee will explore the progress made by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Regional Fishery Management Councils in setting annual catch limits and accountability measures to end overfishing and rebuild overfished fish stocks, as required by MSA. The hearing will focus on how annual catch limits are set, efforts to improve the type and quality of information that informs management decisions, and successes and challenges of implementing annual catch limits and accountability measures.
Witnesses invited to testify include on behalf of the recreational fishing community include Herbert P. Moore, Jr., Esq., Gallagher, Briody & Butler; and Capt. Mark Brown of the Fishing Vessel Teaser 2. Moore of New Jersey and Brown of South Carolina are both members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and are expected to give detailed expert testimony on how mandates within MSA are impacting the recreational fishing sector.
"It is our hope that serious discussion is given to the fatal flaws in the recreational survey methodology now destroying our recreational fishing communities in America," said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA. "The recent closures of red snapper, amberjack and black sea bass should serve as a wake-up call to Congress that our federal fisheries law is falling short of its requirement to protect both the fish and the fishermen," Donofrio said, adding "we're glad that a few of our coastal stakeholders will be there to provide first-hand analysis from the community."
Also expected to testify are Dr. Steven A. Murawski, Director of Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor at NMFS; Duane Harris, Chairman, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Dr. Andrew B. Cooper, Associate Professor, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University; Shawn Stebbins, President and CEO, Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.; Randy Fisher, Executive Director, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission; Julian Magras, Chairman of the Board, St. Thomas Fishermen's Association; Capt. David T. Goethel, Fishing Vessel Ellen Diane; and Gregory DiDomenico, Executive Director, Garden State Seafood Association.
The Subcommittee hearing will be held in Room 1334 of the Longworth House Office Building in Washington DC, and also streamed live via the web from the Committee's Website at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov starting at 10 a.m. EST.
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| About Recreational Fishing Alliance The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. To protect your right to fish tomorrow, join RFA today at www.joinrfa.org or call 888-JOIN-RFA. |
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Posted on 10/25/2009 3:03 PM
Good for you buddy. You should have stopped by the Captain's meeting and got a warm cup of Seafood Chilli to warm you bones.
Posted on 10/23/2009 1:04 PM
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> 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.com2) 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.cfm3) 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. __________________ <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> __________________
SUPPORTER / CONTRIBUTOR SSFFF
MEMBER RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANCE
Posted on 10/23/2009 6:32 AM
So, I'm reading the APP, Hook, Line & Sinker section. John Oswald has an article on the 5th Annual Future of the Ocean Symposium, presented by the university's Urban Coast Institute , being held at Monmouth University. The theme is "The Future of Fish" Third or fourth paragraph, "The public gets very mixed messages about the decline and potential collapse of fisheries, the success of rebuilding efforts of managed fisheries and the quality of the information on which decisions are made." Yadda, yadda, yadda.
"We want to help clarify some of these questions." said Tony MacDonald, director of the UCI. So, my question is, "WHY HOLD THIS SYMPOSIUM ON A TUSDAY MORNING AT 10:30 AM?"
Do they hold these things mid week in the morning just so reporters will have something to fill space with in their fishing colums? Most normal people have jobs and cannot go to a symposium to "clarify their questions on the state of our fisheries." on a Tuesday morning. Lucky for me, I am not normal so I may just go to this anyone else going? <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> __________________
Posted on 10/23/2009 4:43 AM
I know the Tournament is still on until they call Gale but This Sucks!
I think it might get awfull crowded in the river tonight & Sunday morning.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
TODAY
NE WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E 15 TO 20 KT LATE THIS
MORNING AND AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 TO 5 FT. A CHANCE OF RAIN LATE.
TONIGHT
SE WINDS AROUND 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT. SEAS
4 TO 7 FT. RAIN LIKELY...MAINLY AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SAT
S WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT. SEAS 5 TO 8
FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS LIKELY WITH
A CHANCE OF TSTMS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
S WINDS 25 TO 30 KT... BECOMING NW 20 TO 25 KT WITH
GUSTS UP TO 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 5 TO 8 FT. OCCASIONAL
SHOWERS... MAINLY IN THE EVENING.
SUN
NW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT. SEAS 4 TO
6 FT.
I think next year, as soon as Bob announces the date for the Tournament I am making reservations for a vacation!
Oh well at least I got to fish two days this week, guess I should feel bad for the guys that had to work all week and then see this weather?
Sure , yea, right...... ![[Razz]](http://njstriper.com/ubb/tongue.gif)
Posted on 10/22/2009 2:42 PM
Stripers Forever members - on Nov. 2nd the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission – ASMFC – will vote on a proposal to allow states with commercial quotas to transfer the quota that they did not report as caught one year to the following year. This means that if a state’s commercial quota was 1,100,000 pounds, and only 990,000 was reported caught in 2011, the new quota in 2012 could be 1,210,000 pounds. Stripers Forever thinks this is a thinly disguised attempt to add to commercial quotas, and that it is a very bad idea. Here are two big reasons why: - If the state fails to reach its quota during the course of its whole season, it is a very good indicator that there simply are not as many striped bass out there as fisheries managers estimated. The poor fishing reports from our members suggest that this is the case.
- Transferring uncaught quota to the next year provides an incentive for commercial fishermen to underreport their catch and, as a bonus, receive a larger quota the following year. There is already plenty of evidence of under the table sales of striped bass that are never counted toward any commercial quota. Why provide even more temptation?
We have heard that some ASFMC commissioners from striped bass commercial fishing states who favor this proposal will try to push it through in spite of the objections of the recreational community. We have learned that only way to really get the attention of the state fishery directors is to go right to their state’s governor with our comments. Some directors feel quite insulated from public comment, and most of them have a strong allegiance to the commercial fishermen that helped them get their jobs. Governors, however, are elected officials and are far more interested in the views of the public. Naturally the governor has tremendous influence over the state’s fishery director. We strongly urge all of our members to contact your state governor immediately. We have provided below a brief letter that you can use as a template and the contact information for the state governors, though we urge you to put things in your own words if you are so inclined. A letter is best, though e-mails and faxes also count very much. This should be done immediately as the meeting is in less than two weeks. Brad Burns, President - Stripers Forever Dear Governor: On Nov. 2 the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission will vote on a proposal to allow the commercial striped bass quota that states fail to catch in one year to be added to the next year. I strongly disagree with this plan to kill more striped bass. Striped bass fishing has declined greatly in recent years, and it is already costing jobs in the guiding and tackle communities where the value of striped bass far exceeds commercial landings. The trend in spawning success is clearly down, and we should be looking for ways to conserve striped bass not to kill more . The proposed quota roll over would encourage under the table sales of striped bass that would not count against quotas. The striped bass commercial community has a proven history of doing just this kind of thing. It would be a poor policy to offer incentives for illegal activity. I urge you to direct our state fishery director to vote against this proposed quota roll-over at the upcoming meeting, and to direct him to look for ways to conserve striped bass for recreational angling rather than deplete them for commercial purposes. Sincerely, Governor John E. Baldacci Office of the Governor 1 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0001 Phone: (207) 287-3531 Governor John Lynch ~ Office of the Governor 25 Capitol Street Concord, NH 03301 USA Phone: (603) 271-2121 Fax: (603) 271-8788 Governor Deval Patrick Office of the Governor State House, Room 360 Boston, Mass ~02133 Phone: 617-725-4005 Fax: 617-727-9725 Governor Donald L. Carcieri Office of the Governor State House, Room 115 Providence RI 02903 Phone: (401) 222-2080 Fax: (401) 222-8096 Governor M. Jodi Rell ~(R) State Capitol 210 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: ~(860) 566-4840 Governor David A. Paterson State Capitol Albany, NY 12224 ~ 518-474-8390 Governor Jon Corzine 125 West Street PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625 Phone: (609) 292-6000 Governor Edward G. Rendell 225 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Phone: (717) 787-2500 GovernorJack Markell Tatnall Building, William Penn Street, 2nd Floor Dover, DE ~19901 Phone: (302) 744-4101 Fax (302) 739-2775 Governor Martin O'Malley Office of the Governor 100 State Circle Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Phone: (410) 974-3901 Governor Tim Kaine Patrick Henry Building 3rd Floor 1111 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 Phone: (804) 786-2211 Fax: (804) 371-6351 Governor Beverly Perdue Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 Phone: (919) 733 4240 Fax: (919) 715-3175 or (919) 733-2120 Governor Mark Sanford Office of the Governor P.O. Box 12267 Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: (803)-734-2100 Fax: (803)-734-5167 Webform :
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