New fluke regulations will be proposed next week
by Al Ristori/For the Star-Ledger Thursday February 26, 2009, 8:22 PM
Fluke advisors to the Marine Fisheries Council met Tuesday to make recommendations that the Council will vote on during their monthly meeting Thursday, March 5 at 4 p.m. in Galloway Township Library, Jimmie Leeds Road, Absecon.
Council member Pat Donnelly said there was agreement among the advisors on staying with the 18-inch minimum length, while reducing the bag limit from eight to six in order to pick up a few critical days of season. Though the state only has to take a 4.1 percent reduction, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) requires that most of it must come from the season. As a result, it will be necessary to give up either Memorial Day or Labor Day.
The two alternatives approved are from June 1 to Sept. 7, or May 23 to Sept. 4. Donnelly was surprised that northern and southern advisors with financial interests in the fishery were split as to which season would be least disruptive.
Donnelly may be one of the few anglers in the state who will miss the eight-fish limit as he's a real fluke pro who frequently limits aboard his Shanakee from Point Pleasant.
Though Thursday's meeting isn't a public hearing, the public is invited and there will be time for comments on the alternatives. Remember, however, the Council has no control over the regulation. They must use tables, based on the previous year's catches and how much of a cut is required, from the technical committee. The options are calculated to hold our catch to the quota, and all the Council can do is select from those alternatives.
Donnelly suggests it's particularly important for those with a financial stake in the fluke fishery to indicate which alternative will have the least negative effect on business.
Regulations will also be set at the same time for scup and sea bass. Donnelly expects there will be status quo for porgies, but that it will probably be necessary to increase the sea bass minimum to 12½ inches unless the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) decides there isn't overfishing and will allow a continuation of the 12-inch minimum.
TOP CATCHES
Tom Paglioroli will host Jim Hutchinson Jr., new managing director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), on tomorrow morning's Rack & Fin Radio, ESPN 1450 AM, between 9 and 10. Hutchinson will discuss the upcoming federal registry and how the RFA is trying to get a free registration procedure through the state legislature in order to avoid a saltwater license. The show can also be accessed through its podcast address -- espn1450.com.
The saltwater license issue is heating up with the national registry and a likely New York saltwater license bearing down on us. The Saltwater Committee of the State Federation of Sportsman's Clubs and the N.J. Outdoor Alliance held meetings lately to discuss the registry plus a possible license or alternative. Both heard a presentation by Dave Chanda, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, on the federal registration plus the status of funding in the Division -- which takes no position on licensing. Chanda will be happy to provide that presentation for any interested clubs.
Berkeley Striper Club holds their 14th annual Fisherman's Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School, 1200 Bay Blvd., Seaside Heights. Admission is $3, but free for kids under 10. Many custom wood plug makers will be on hand. For additional information, call (732) 280-3281, or visit
www.berkeleystriperclub.org Hi-Mar Striper Club holds its annual Awards Dinner on Sunday at the Channel Club in Highlands.
The Toyota World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition runs from March 5 to 8 at Rockland Community College Field House in Suffern, New York.
At Brielle, Capt. Howard Bogan Jr. of the Jamaica reports he's still doing very well with sea bass and porgies on far offshore wrecks. Last Friday was good, as was Sunday despite choppy seas. Ray Roscoe of Newark caught a total of 47 bass and scup, but his 6-pound bass was edged for the pool by a 6½-pounder.
Wednesday's weather was much better, and catches ranged from 30 to 46 fish. There were some sea bass limits plus jumbo porgies, some ling, and even a few whiting -- a rarity among bottom fish these days. Though Cecil Walker from Queens took the pool with a 6-pound sea bass, Dennis Spanos of Elizabeth had a 5½-pounder in his limit plus 30 porgies and 11 ling. Kerwin Singletary from Burlington had a limit of bass, 32 porgies and 14 ling. Homer Tye of Trenton totaled a bass limit along with 25 scup and seven ling. Bogan said water temperatures over the wrecks are holding at 46 to 47.5 degrees. He sails a limited trip for $170 tonight at 11. The $155 fare applies to the Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday sailings. Call (732) 528-5014 for reservations.
Capt. Joe Bogan reported good wreck fishing for ling last week on his Jamaica II, along with some cod and pollock. Dennis Stock of Fairfield boated an 18-pound cod, and Greg Sergi from Belmar bagged 25 ling. Tye added two cod to his 36 ling, and George Elishans from Reading, Pa. had a pollock plus two cod in addition to 34 ling. Those 12-hour wreck trips are run at 5 a.m. every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Anglers looking into buying a used boat can now check its background, just as can be done with cars. Visit
www.BoatHistoryReport.com. All you need is the hull number (HIN) to get the information needed to determine if it has ever been in an accident.
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