Recreational Fishing Alliance (NJ)
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732
For Immediate Release
April 28, 2011
May 7 Opening In Jeopardy If DEP Fails To Act
The New Jersey chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA-NJ) today sent a letter to Governor Chris Christie, copying the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bob Martin, urging immediate action to ensure that the 2011 summer flounder (fluke) season gets underway as scheduled on May 7th.
Following action by the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (Council) on April 7 to enact the 2011 summer flounder regulations as having a season of May 7-September 25 with a bag limit of eight fish per person and minimum size of 18 inches, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries subsequently submitted the regulation for approval by the DEP the following day. In past years, regulations approved by the Council were enacted almost immediately, however, according to the RFA-NJ nearly three weeks have now passed without approval of the regulation by the DEP.
"With less than 10 days before the start of the proposed 2011 summer flounder season, the state's anglers and businesses remain concerned that the regulation will be enacted in time," said RFA-NJ Chairman, Capt. Adam Nowalsky. In his letter to Governor Christie and the DEP, Nowalsky stated "Recreational anglers have made reservations on party and charter boats, and bait and tackle stores have ordered bait. Failure to begin the season on the prescribed date will further disadvantage an already struggling industry."
RFA-NJ is advising anglers to contact the Commissioner's office by calling 609-292-2885 and requesting that the 2011 summer flounder regulations be enacted as quickly as possible.
RFA-NJ ADDS BOARD MEMBERS, ELECTS CHAIRS
Chapter Convenes Surf Advisory Panel
At its April 20, 2011 Board of Directors meeting, the RFA-NJ Board voted to add two new members, James Krauss and Capt. Bob Rush, Jr. to the director's table. Krauss is an avid New Jersey angler and has been an active RFA volunteer for a number of years, and his professional background and volunteer efforts make him a perfect addition to the RFA-NJ Board.
Capt. Rush is owner/operator of Starfish Boats in Sea Isle City, and in addition to his election to the RFA-NJ Board of Directors, he's also a board member of the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO) and the United Boatmen of New Jersey. RFA-NJ welcomes both aboard.
Elected as chairs were: Capt. Fran Verdi, Vice Chairman; Ed Goldman, Legislative Chair; Jim Winn, Membership Chair; and, Chris Peszka, Treasurer. "I am thankful for the efforts of our Board members over the past 18 months," said RFA-NJ Chairman Capt. Adam Nowalsky, "and I look forward to our continued success with our new chairs."
The RFA-NJ Board also voted to convene a Surf Advisory Panel, comprised of leaders in the surf fishing community in the state of New Jersey. The Panel will have regular meetings to advise the RFA-NJ Board on actions that need to be taken in support of New Jersey surfcasters.
"The surf fishing contingent is a historic and important component of the angling community in New Jersey," said RFA-NJ Board member Greg O'Connell, an avid surfcaster who will be chairing the new panel. "We look forward to continuing the work RFA has done on behalf of Jersey Shore surfcasters, with an immediate focus on access issues that are imperative for the viability of the surf and land based fishing community."
For more information about the RFA-NJ chapter, visit
www.joinrfanj.org.
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.
