Reef Rescue Blind Sided

[Captain Dave Wittenborn]

Even though the reef bill passed the Senate environmental committee by a unanimous vote, the full Senate is not taking their recommendation due to good old political pressure.  Read this article and see how politics really work.

Captain Dave

RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN & DIVERS ARE LOSING THE BATTLE!
 
Monday the NJ Senate was scheduled to vote on our ?Pots Off the Reef? Bill S2635.  It was supposed to pass easily.  Instead, once again we were ?blind sided? by commercial fishing industry and the Bill was put aside.  NO VOTE WAS TAKEN!  THE BILL WASN?T EVEN MENTIONED!
 
Tuesday we found out why.  A well known, very influential lobbying firm, contracted by the commercial sector, flooded the Senate floor with faxes proclaiming that Senate Bill S2635 would be devastating to (a handful of) commercial fishermen.  If passed, most potters would go out of business and there would be a major shortage of lobster and reef fish for the general public to consume.  The faxes must have had clout and obviously coerced Senate Speaker Codey to abandon the vote.
 
It was also rumored that this lobbying firm contributes substantial amounts to political campaign funds and that might be the real reason Bill S2635 was passed over.
 
Is this the way the democratic system is supposed work?  Why isn?t the majority being heard?  Aren?t they listening to New Jersey?s 1.3 million saltwater anglers?  I THINK NOT!
 
The Senate has (3) more voting sessions before the legislative year end: December 17, January 3 and January 7.  If Bill S2635 is not voted on, we go back to square one in 2008.  IT IS TIME TO MAKE A CALL!  Or, WE LOSE!
 
The same thing holds true for the General Assembly.  They have only a few voting sessions left.  Assembly Bill A3986, which is identical to S2635, has not been posted for a vote. WE NEED BOTH BILLS POSTED NOW, VOTED ON AND APPROVED!  Or, WE LOSE!
 
MAKE A CALL NOW!  Below is the list of Senators and Assemblymen.  The main targets are Senate President Richard  Codey, General Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and especially Assistant Majority Leader Jeff Van Drew.  They have the ability to push the bills to a vote.  When you call, an administrative assistant will answer.  Just mention the bill number and ask why it?s not being voted on, what is the hold up, do they realize how many fishermen and divers want to see these bills passed, that sportspeople paid for the reefs while a few commercial potters are allowed to dominate them and blanket them with gear!  Make sure you mention your club affiliation and how many people you represent.  Ask that the Assemblyman or Senator call you back. 
 
MAKE THAT CALL TODAY!  BEFORE IT?S TOO LATE!
 
Thanks & good luck to all,
Captain Pete Grimbilas
REEF RESCUE
www.njreefrescue.com
 
Senator Richard J. Codey, (D) 449 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052    (973)-731-6770
 
Assemblyman Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., (D)  Brooklawn Shopping Plaza, Rt. 130 South & Browning Rd., Brooklawn, NJ 08030   (856)-742-7600
 
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, (D)  21 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210   (609)-465-0700
District Office: 223 East Main Street, Millville, NJ 08332   (856)-293-8353  District Office: 1028 East Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360   (856)-696-7109
 
Senator John H. Adler, (D) 1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 (856)-489-3442

Senator Diane B. Allen, (R) 11 West Broad St., Burlington, NJ 08016 (609)-239-2800

Senator Nicholas Asselta, (R)  Main Tree Commons, 1450 East Chestnut Avenue, Building 1, Suite B, Vineland, NJ 08361
(856)-691-3004

Senator Martha W. Bark, (R) 3000 Midlantic Drive, Suite 103, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054   (856)-234-8080

Senator Wayne R. Bryant, Esq., (D) 501 Cooper Street, Camden, NJ 08102 (856)-757-0552

Senator Anthony R. Bucco, (R)  75 Bloomfield Ave., 3rd Floor, Denville, NJ 07834    (973)-627-9700

Senator Barbara Buono, (D) 100 Plainfield Ave., Suite 1, Edison, NJ 08817  (732)-819-8141

Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R) 350 Madison Avenue, Cresskill, NJ 07626  (201)-567-2324

Senator Andrew R. Ciesla, (R) 852 Highway 70, Brick, NJ 08724  (732)-840-9028
 
Senator Joseph Coniglio, D 205 Robin Road, Suite 216, Paramus, NJ 07652    (201)-576-9199

Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr., R 620 West Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731   (609)-693-6700

Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, D 1738 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07305    (201)-451-5100

Senator Nia H. Gill, Esq., D 425 Bloomfield Avenue, 2nd Floor, Montclair, NJ 07042    (973)-509-0388

Senator John A. Girgenti, D 507 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506   (973)-427-1229

Senator Peter A. Inverso, R 3691A Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690   (609)-586-1330

Senator Sharpe James, D 50 Park Place, Suite 1535, Newark, NJ 07102   (973)-622-0007

Senator Ellen Karcher, D 400 West Main Street, 3rd Floor, Freehold, NJ 07728   (732)-462-8883

Senator Walter J. Kavanaugh, R 76 North Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876  ! (908)-526! -4222

Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr., R 203 Elm Street, 1st Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090   (908)-232-3673
District Office: 57 Union Place, Suite 310, Summit, NJ 07901   (908)-918-0414

Senator Bernard F. Kenny, Jr., D 235 Hudson Street, Suite 1, Hoboken, NJ 07030   (201)-653-1466

Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr., R One Arin Park Building, Suite 303, 1715 Highway 35, Middletown, NJ 07748 (732)-671-3206

Senator Leonard Lance, R 119 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822   (908)-788-6900

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D 985 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083   (908)-624-0880

Senator Robert E. Littell, R  P.O. Box 328, 25 Route 23 South, Franklin, NJ 07416   (973)-827-2900

Senator Fred H. Madden, Jr., D 129 Johnson Road, Suite 1, Turnersville, NJ 08012    (856)-232-6700
District Office: 18 Somerdale Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012   (856)-227-5900

Senator Robert J. Martin, R 101 Gibraltar Dr., Suite 1-A, Morris Plains, NJ 07950   (973)-984-0922

Senator James J. McCullough, R Hamilton Mall, Suite 108, Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330(609)-641-4433

Senator Henry P. McNamara, R 191 Godwin Ave., 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 68, Wyckoff, NJ 07481  (201)-848-9600

Senator Joseph A. Palaia, R 290 Norwood Ave., Suite 204, Deal, NJ 07723   (732)-531-1303

Senator Ronald L. Rice, D 1044 South Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07106   (973)-371-5665

Sena! tor Nicholas J. Sacco, D 9060 Palisade Ave., North Bergen, NJ 07047   (201)-295-0200

Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D Fleet Bank Building, 2nd Floor, 207 Hackensack St., Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075  (201)-804-8118

Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, D  1514 E. Saint ! Georges Ave., 2nd Floor, Linden, NJ 07036   (908)-587-0404

Senator Robert W. Singer, R 2110 W. County Line Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527   (732)-901-0702

Senator Bob Smith, D 216 Stelton Rd., Suite E-5, Piscataway, NJ 08854  &! nbsp;(732)! -752-077 0

Senator Stephen M. Sweeney, D Kingsway Commons, 935 Kings Highway, Suite 400, Thorofare, NJ 08086   (856)-251-9801 
District Office: 14 East Commerce St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeton, NJ 08302  (856)-455-1011  District Office: 1 New Market St., Salem, NJ 08079   
(856)-339-0808

Senator Shirley K. Turner, D 1440 Pennington Rd., 1st Floor, Ewing, NJ 08618   (609)-530-3277

Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D 87 Main St., Woodbridge, NJ 07095   (732)-855-7441

Senator Loretta Weinberg, D 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666   (201)-928-0100

Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano, D 21 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210   District Office: 223 East Main Street, Millville, NJ 08332   (856)-293-8353   District Office: 1028 East Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 (856)-696-7109

Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes, III, D Stephenville Park Plaza, 3 Stephenville Parkway, Suite 2E, Edison, NJ 08820  (732)-548-1406

Assemblyman Bill Baroni, R 2239 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite E, Hamilton, NJ 08619 ! ;  (609)-631-9988

Assemblyman Christopher Bateman, R 36 East Main St., Somerville, NJ 08876   (908)-526-3600

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, R 256 Route 79, 1st Floor, Morganville, NJ 07751   (732)-772-1571
< /SPAN>Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi, R 1 East High St., Somerville, NJ 08876   (908)-252-0800

Assemblyman Francis J. Blee, R The Courtyard, 707 White Horse Pike, Suite C5, Absecon, NJ 08201  (609)-407-0407

Assemblyman Fran! cis L. Bodine, D 3000 Midlantic Dr., Suite 103, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054   (856)-234-8080

Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick, R 203 Elm St., 1st Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090   (908)-232-3673
District Office: 57 Union Place, Suite 310, Summit, NJ 07901  (908)-918-0414

Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli, D Kingsway Commons, 935 Kings Highway, Suite 400, Thorofare, NJ 08086
(856)-251-9801   District Office: 14 East Commerce St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeton, NJ 08302   (856)-455-1011
District Office: 1 New Market St., Salem, NJ 08079   (856)-339-0808

Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, D 371 Bloomfield Ave., 2nd Floor, Newark, NJ 07107   (973)-350-0048

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, R 20 South St., Suite 2B, Morristown, NJ 07960    (973)-539-8113

Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis, R 3000 Midlantic Dr., Suite 103, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054   (856)-234-8080

Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula, D 888 Easton Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873   (732)-247-3999

Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen, D 985 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083   (908)-624-0880

Assemblyman Herb Conaway, M.D., D Delran Professional Center, Suite 125, 8008 Route 130 North, Delran, NJ 08075   
(856)-461-3997

Assemblyman Jack Conners, D Delran Professional Center, Suite 125, 8008 Route 130 North, Delran, NJ 08075  (856)-461-3997

Assemblyman Christopher J. Connors, R 620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 !   (609)-693-6700

Assemblyman Steve Corodemus, R 40 First Ave., P.O. Box 266, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716   (732)-708-0900

Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, D 116 North 2nd Street, Suite 101, Camden, NJ 08102   (856)-541-1251

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, D 985 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083   (908)-624-0880

Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer, R 2110 W. County Line Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527   (732)-901-0702

Assem! blyman Alex DeCroce, R 101 Gibraltar Dr., Suite 1-A, Morris Plains, NJ 07950   (973)-984-0922

Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., D  908 Oak Tree Ave., Unit P, South Plainfield, NJ 07080   (908)-757-1677

Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty, R  127 Belvidere Ave., 2nd Floor, Washington, NJ 07882   (908)-835-0552

Assemblyman Joseph V. Egan, D 100 Bayard St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901   (732)-249-4550

Assemblyman Charles T. Epps, Jr., D 1757 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07305   (201)-200-1820

Assemblywoman Elease Evans, D 100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 1400, Paterson, NJ 07505   (973)-247-1521

Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher, D 14 East Commerce St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 ! ;  (8! 56)-455- 1011
District Office: Kingsway Commons, 935 Kings Highway, Suite 400, Thorofare, NJ 08086   (856)-251-9801
District Office: 1 New Market St., Salem, NJ 08079   (856)-339-0808

Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin, D 1333 Broad Street, Clifton, NJ 07013 &! nbsp; (973)-779-3125
 
Assemblyman Robert M. Gordon, D Radburn-Plaza Building, 14-25 Plaza Road, P.O. Box 398, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410   (201)-703-9779

Assemblyman Jerry Green, D 17 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060   (908)-561-5757

Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein, D 7 Centre Dr., Suite 2, Monroe, NJ 08831-1565   (609)-395-9911

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, D 1103 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 142, Voorhees, NJ 08043   (856)-435-1247

Assemblyman Guy R. Gregg, R 230 US Highway 206, STE 201, Flanders, NJ 07836   (973)-584-5422

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D 226 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608   (609)-292-0500

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin, R 890 Main St., Belford, NJ 07718   ! (732)-787-1170

Assemblyman James W. Holzapfel, R 852 Hwy. 70, Brick, NJ 08724   (732)-840-9028

Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey, D 15 Village Plaza, Suite 1B, South Orange, NJ 07079   (973)-762-1886

As semblyman Gordon M. Johnson, D 1 Engle St., Suite 108, Englewood, NJ 07631   (201)-541-1118

Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow, R 1 Maple Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822   (908)-782-5127

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean, R 1334 Laurel Avenue, Suite A, Wal! l Twp., NJ 08750   (732)-974-0400

Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt, D 1103 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 142, Voorhees, NJ 08043   (856)-435-1247

Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone, III, R 311 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ 08505   ! (609)-298-6250

Assemblyman Louis M. Manzo, D 107 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07305   (201)-309-0770

Assemblyman David R. Mayer, D  18 Somerdale Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012   (856)-227-5900
District Office: 129 Johnson ! Road, Suite 1, Turnersville, NJ 08012   (856)-232-6700

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, R 13 Main St., Suite 8, Sparta, NJ 07871   (973)-726-0954

Assemblyman John F. McKeon, D  4 Sloan St., Suite D & E, South Orange, NJ 07079   (973)-275-1113

Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt, R 12 Old Brookside Rd., Randolph, NJ 07869   (973)-895-9100

Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty, D  129 Johnson Road, Suite 1, Turnersville, NJ 08012   (856)-232-6700
District Office: 18 Somerdale Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012   (856)-227-5900

Assemblyman Eric Munoz, R&n! bsp; 57 Union Place, Suite 310, Summit, NJ 07901   (908)-918-0414
District Office: 203 Elm St., 1st Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090   (908)-232-3673

Assemblyman Kevin J. O'Toole, R  573 Valley Rd., Suite 2, Wayne, NJ 07470   (973)-696-2323

Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver, D  15-33 Halsted Street, Suite 202, East Orange, NJ 07018   (973)-395-1166

Assemblyman Michael J. Panter, D  167 Avenue of the Common, Suite 7, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702   (732)-544-2116

Assemblyman William D. Payne, D  40 Clinton St., Suite 200, Newark, NJ 07102   (973)-621-1400

Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio, R  101 Gibraltar Dr., Suite 1-A, Morris Plains, NJ 07950   (973)-984-0922

Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, D  100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 1403-05, Paterson, NJ 07505   (973)-247-1555

Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, D  1249 Paterson Plank Rd., Secaucus, NJ 07094   (201)-770-1303

Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley, D  The Hamilton Park Foundry, 242 Tenth Street, Suite 101, Jersey City, NJ 07302   (201)-217-4614

Assemblyman John E. Rooney, R  Valley Office Park, 436 Old Hook Rd., Emerson, NJ 07630   (201)-967-8910

Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, R  620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731   (609)-693-6700

Assemblyman David C. Russo, R  22 Paterson Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432   (201)-444-9719

Assemblyman Frederick Scalera, D  ! 8 00 Bloomfield Ave., Lower Level, Nutley, NJ 07110   (973)-667-4431

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, D  1 Howe Avenue, Suite 302, Passaic, NJ 07055   (973)-249-3665

Assemblyman Brian P. Stack, D  3715 Palisade Avenue, 3rd Flo! or, Union City, NJ 07087   (201)-330-3233

Assemblyman Craig A. Stanley, D  1200 Clinton Ave., Suite 140, Irvington, NJ 07111   (973)-399-1000

Assemblywoman Linda Stender, D  801 East Second St., 2nd Floor, Sc! otch Plains, NJ 07076    (908)-668-1900

Assemblyman Samuel D. Thompson, R  725 Highway 34, Matawan, NJ 07747   (732)-583-5558

Assemblywoman Oadline D. Truitt, D  1064 Clinton Avenue, Suite 180, Irvington, N! J 07111  (973)-371-2066

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D  1 Engle St., Suite 108, Englewood, NJ 07631   (201)-541-1118
District Office: 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666   (201)-928-0100

Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk, R  220 Kinderkamack Rd., Suite E, Westwood, NJ 07675  (201)-666-0881

Assemblyman Joseph Vas, D  276 Hobart St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08862   (732)-324-5955

Assemblyman Silv! erio A. Vega, D  303 58th St., West New York, NJ 07093   (201)-854-0900

Assemblywoman Joan M. Voss, D  520 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024   (201)-346-6400

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, D  226 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608   (609)-292-0500

Assemblyman Jim Whelan, D  511 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 08225   (609)-383-1388

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, D  3145 Bordentown Ave., Suite B,! Parlin, NJ 08859   (732)-316-1885

Assemblyman David W. Wolfe, R 852 Hwy. 70, Brick, NJ 08724   (732)-840-9028

[CapBob]

Dave

Good post, bend over boys, here it comes again "BOHICA"

My calls were made today

[IrishAyes]

WHAT A WAY TO RUN A STATE!  As always, money talks, BS walks. 

Let's let them spend their money on lobbyists.  We will do our damage at the polls come reelection time.  LET THEM KNOW THAT!

[PeggyLee]

Good Post! Here we Go ! We got the names and the numbers to call. Lets do it. Thanks, AJ

[Luna Sea 5]

 

[Captain Dave Wittenborn]

Some more reading-

Captain Dave

This could be the DO or DIE week for Pots Off The Reefs!
 
It has boiled down to whether or not Assembly Speaker Roberts and Senate President Codey will post the bills for a vote.
 
Remember, the last time our bill was taken off the table was due to an influx of faxes from the commercial lobbyists the day of the vote.  I don?t think we should sit back and allow this happen again!
 
My request to all clubs, organizations and fishermen; every couple of hours, for the next three days, send a fax to both legislators!  We need them to know there are a lot of us fishermen watching and waiting.
 
ASK:  are you going to post our Bill for a vote!?
 
Assemblyman Speaker Roberts:  (Bill A3986)  FAX: 856-742-1831
 
Senate President Codey:  (Bill S2635)   FAX:  973-731-0647
 
Pass this message on!



Captain Pete Grimbilas
Cell: 973-454-0315
 
Lawmakers can't ignore vote on reef bill any longer
The fate of A-3986 in the state Legislature should prove to be fascinating material for high school civics and college political science students to study in the weeks ahead.

A-3986 is the bill that would ban the setting of fish and lobster traps on the state's artificial reefs. Only one Assembly session is left, Jan. 3, and the measure has not been posted for a vote on that day thus far.

A companion bill in the Senate � S-2635 � has been posted for a vote Jan. 7. If the Senate bill passes, and the Assembly measure is not posted, or posted and not voted favorably, the initiative will die.

Both bills have considerable public support and there is opposition only from a small group of commercial trap fishermen and their lobbying firm.

James A. Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, said the number of organizations that have an interest in the reefs for recreational fishing and diving purposes and conservation of marine life is huge.

"It reads like a who's who of organizations with an interest in the marine environment," he said. "They have given so much to the building of the reef system over the years."

Among them are the Atlantic County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, American Littoral Society, Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, Reef Rescue, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Crestwood Village Fishing Club, Atlantic County Party and Charter Boat Association, Manasquan River Marlin and Tuna Club, Greater Point Pleasant Charterboat Association, Village Harbor Fishing Club, Atlantic County Reef Society, Cape May Party and Charter Boat Association, McGraw-Hill Foundation, Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, Shark River Surf Anglers, Spring Lake Live Liners Fishing Club, Asbury Park Fishing Club, Fish Hawks, and The New Jersey Artificial Reef Association.

Others include Fish America Foundation, the Absecon Saltwater Sportsmen, Ocean Wreck Divers, Berkeley Striper Club, Manasquan Fishing Club, Monmouth Beach Cartoppers, Bradley Beach Fishing Club, Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club, Belmar Fishing Club, New Jersey Council of Diving Clubs, the Monmouth County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Monmouth/Ocean Surfcasting Alliance, Surf City Anglers, New Jersey Saltwater Flyrodders, the Forked River Tuna Club, Bayshore Saltwater Flyrodders, Hudson River Fishermen's Association, Schuyler Tuna Fishing Club and many more.

The bills were passed out of committee � the Senate unanimously, the Assembly with one dissenting vote � but they languished in the state Legislature for months.

Anglers, hunters and environmentalists have been asking Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., D-Camden, to post the bill for a vote. A handful of commercial fishermen have been urging him not to post it.

Capt. Pete Grimbilas, a member of Reef Rescue and the Greater Point Pleasant Charterboat Association, reminds that there are over one million men, women and children who fish recreationally in New Jersey waters, and probably 40 percent of them have fished on the reefs or tried to fish on them in the past. Many were frustrated by the commercial lines, flags and traps on these structures.

"I and so many others have been calling Speaker Roberts' office urging him to post the bill," he said. "He has to realize how important getting this gear off the reefs is to the party and charter boat industry and everyone who fishes on the reefs."

Greg Hueth, president of the Shark River Surf Anglers, said that the reef bills would do more than provide recreational access to these sites.

The structures attract and multiply marine life and anglers take only a fraction of it.

"If these bills become law, they will help the environment, conserve marine life, reduce conflicts on the water, and add to the state's economy through more angling and diving opportunity," he added.

Speaker Roberts has to choose between the commercial trap fishermen and their lobbying firm or the mass of citizens who built and paid for the reefs with donations and money from excise taxes on fishing tackle.

The two reefs that are actually in state waters are the Sandy Hook and Axel Carlson reefs. The other 13 reefs off the state's coast are in federal waters.

The Axel Carlson reef, located off Bay Head, is the most heavily used by commercial fishermen. State biologists estimated in 2005 that there were 341 active traps there with 23,637 feet of runners or 4.4 miles of lines criss-crossing the four-square-mile site. There are more there today, as well as dozens of ghost pots, according to divers.

This maze of gear not only traps marine life continuously, regardless of weather, but prevents anglers from using the structure that they built and paid for. The area was barren sand bottom with little life on it before the reef was constructed.

The real marine tragedy on the Carlson reef and the other 14 artificial reefs is the problem of the ghost traps, gear that was lost, broken away or abandoned.

Bill Figley, former head of the state's artificial reef program, deplores both the monopoly of the reefs by trap fishermen and the indiscriminate killing by the ghost pots.

"These ghost pots continue to fish," Figley said, "catching a stream of fish, crabs and lobsters, all doomed to a slow death, until the traps deteriorate and ultimately break apart."

Massachusetts recognized the threat of ghost pots to marine life several years ago, and collected them in operations conducted in 1998, 2003 and 2007 in Cape Cod Bay. Funding was provided by both the federal government and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Many other states, including New York, have already banned traps on artificial reefs.

"The pot lines also compete directly with recreational fishermen in another way," Figley explained. "The bottom lines that connect the numerous traps together are polypropylene, which means the line floats up in arcs off the ocean bottom between each pair of traps.

"When recreational boats drift between two pot flags, everyone on the boat snags the pot line and loses their rig," he continued. "Anchors may also snag pot strings. The end result is that one or two commercial fishermen can set enough gear on a reef site to both dominate the catch and reduce access to all other boats.

"And this monopoly goes on continuously, 24/7, without a commercial fisherman anywhere in sight," he added.

"Past and present experience shows that the problem will continue to get worse," he said. "As reef construction expands, so do the number of pots on reefs. Every time a new structure is placed on the sea floor, pot flags appear around it."

 

Commercial fishermen fighting for right to artificial reef
By GREG DiDOMINICO • January 2, 2008

The New Jersey artificial reef program was taken over by the state Department of Environmental Protection in 1984. Prior to that, private organizations and individuals applied for permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to sink materials to make reefs.

Historically, both commercial and recreational sectors were involved in these reef operations, with reef materials placed close to existing underwater structures. These reef structures were open for anyone to fish around — commercial or recreational fishermen. There was no de-facto private leasing of ocean bottom.

The artificial reef program is now under attack by proposed legislation (S-2635) that would remove all commercial lobster pot fishing off the reefs.

The DEP has managed the artificial reef program to the benefit of both the commercial and recreational sector. As recently as 2003, DEP policy on artificial reefs was clear: "Artificial reefs can improve marine habitat and provide structure for benthic marine organisms while enhancing recreational and commercial fishing and diving opportunities."

It is worth noting that in 1984, when the DEP developed the artificial reef program, the initial funding was derived from the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey. More than $400,000 was provided to the DEP to offset fish kills associated with the cooling of the facility. The commercial industry agreed to allow its portion of the funding — $200,000 — to be used on the artificial reef program, a program that allowed commercial fishing on the reefs and limited the artificial reef program to the current 15 sites. This provided additional structure for historic lobster and fish pot sites, and prevented future expansion of the program into other dragged fishing grounds.

Recreational and commercial fishermen agree that the primary function of artificial reefs is to attract and concentrate fish and shellfish from surrounding, open areas into their proximity. Occasionally, conflicts do occur on the reefs. Numerous commercial fishermen can tell of returning to pull their gear to find their pot lines cut. Any conflict of this nature has been readily addressed by the DEP and U.S. Coast Guard.

The recreational community is now pursuing this bill to remove all commercial pot fishing from the reefs. They argue it is not a ban of commercial fishing because it still allows for hook-and-line fishing. There are two problems with this argument. There is no commercial hook-and-line fishing in New Jersey and lobsters cannot be caught using a hook and line.

This bill is nothing more than an unfair taking and would prevent New Jersey's commercial fishermen from catching nearly 250,000 pounds of lobster each year, lobsters that New Jersey consumers have enjoyed for generations and should be able to continue to enjoy. That is why the New Jersey Restaurant Association, the Food Council of New Jersey and the Garden State Seafood Association oppose this bill.

Instead of trying to take away rights via the Legislature, we urge recreational anglers to work with us, the Legislature and the DEP to find workable, sensible solutions.

Greg DiDominico is executive director of the Garden State Seafood Association, a statewide organization of commercial fishermen and fishing companies, related businesses and individuals working to promote the interests of the commercial fishing industry and seafood consumers in New Jersey.

 

[Fishin Dude]

I will be making phone calls and sending faxes tomorrow. It's amazing that with all of the big name,supposedly powerful,money collecting orginazations that are one our side, we can still get shafted. We need to boycott ALL commercial seafood, period. <'((((><

[IrishAyes]

Instead of trying to take away rights via the Legislature, we urge recreational anglers to work with us, the Legislature and the DEP to find workable, sensible solutions.

It is a damn shame on the commercial fishermen's part that they did not try this before they put all of their pots with lines between them, thus depriving the recreational fishermen their due access.  Now, screw them!!!  They had their chance to do the right thing!  They did not!  They did not care about us then, why should we care about them now.  

They had their opportunity and blew it.  Tuff!  Let them now pay the price.

[ped579]

I agree Joe,  We have to flood their offices and fax machines and oh yeah their e-mail Inbox.

Just keep on sending and sending and sending till this bill passes.

If spammers can do it so can we, especially for the betterment of our sport.

Let the e-mails begin...

Paul