New threat to fishing...

[njdiver]

A1639 Establishes NJ Coastal and Ocean Protection Council; appropriates $75,000.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A2000/1639_I1.HTM

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A2000/1639_I1.PDF

[Luna Sea 5]

good find

[IrishAyes]

As if we do not have enough regulations as it is.

My plan, after retirement, is to go south for the winter.  If this state continues on the course it is steering, I may just go south forever.  What a bunch of freaking idiots.

Some excerpts from the bills.

 a.     The quality of life and strength of the economy in New Jersey are challenged by persistent threats to the health and vitality of one of the State's most cherished and fragile assets, its ocean resources;

Shutting down a thriving fishing industry goes a long way for quality of life and to strengthening the economy?


g.     The Pew Oceans Commission and the United States Commission on Ocean Policy both recommend that government agencies move toward an ecosystem-based management approach and should be required to protect, maintain, and restore coastal and ocean ecosystems;

It's a good thing we have the PEW around or none of us would know what is good for us.

f.     The ocean is a public trust and in order to ensure the protection of the public trust, the governance of these ocean resources should be guided by principles of sustainability, ecosystem health, precaution, recognition of the interconnectedness between land and ocean, and public participation in the decision-making process;

Yes, a public trust. So, let's keep it public and not deprive the public of it's use!

(3) the Executive Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism in the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission, or the executive director’s designee, who shall serve ex officio; and

one shall be a representative of a public interest group

Just what public interest group?  Enviros?

one shall be a representative of a non-profit organization

What nonprofit organization and why?  What is their involvement in this?    bngh bngh bngh

[njdiver]

Here's who we may be up against if this passes:

"one shall be a representative of the academic community with expertise, knowledge, or experience in coastal or ocean ecosystems and habitat;"

Read as Monmouth University’s President Paul G. Gaffney II or one of his Professors.


"one shall be a representative of an environmental organization with expertise, knowledge, or experience in coastal or ocean ecosystems and habitat;"

Read as NJ Sierra Club’s Jeff Tittel.


"one shall be a representative of a public interest group with expertise, knowledge, or experience in coastal or ocean ecosystems and habitat;"

Read as American Littoral Society’s Tim Dillingham.


"one shall be a representative of a non-profit organization with expertise, knowledge, or experience in habitat protection and land preservation;"

Read as Clean Ocean Action’s Cindy Zipf.

[IrishAyes]

My point exactly NJDiver.  Stack the deck against the outdoors people.  What is this state coming to?  It will be shut down for anything eventually.   

[TurboDan]

Hmm... sponsored by politicians from Essex and Bergen Counties, no less.  Wonder how much money the environmentalists had to donate to get them interested in the Shore.  Usually, they only care about taking our money.

The clowns they'll pull out of the woodwork to serve on this commission/board will be a motley crew, indeed, especially since it appears a Pew attorney wrote the bill's text.  We'll be lucky if it's someone from Monmouth University - I met one of the professors from their Urban Coast Institute and he's an avid Manasquan River weakfish angler.  Turned me on to a few new spots last season.

[njdiver]

By the way we're too late:

S2645 Establishes NJ Coastal and Ocean Protection Council; appropriates $75,000.
Bills and Joint Resolutions Signed by the Governor

5/10/2007 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment Committee
11/8/2007 Reported from Senate Committee as a Substitute, 2nd Reading
12/10/2007 Passed by the Senate (33-4)
12/10/2007 Received in the Assembly without Reference, 2nd Reading
1/7/2008 Substituted for A4332
1/7/2008 Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (72-5-1)
1/13/2008 Approved P.L.2007, c.288.

[IrishAyes]

And where are these groups who are in want of our money when this happened?  Are they talking a good game but not showing up to play?

I know it takes time and they do what they can, but is that good enough?  We MUST band together.

As I have said many times before, we need ONE group to fight for us. One group to stay on top of these issues.  We are so spread apart we will not get things accomplished.

A donation here, a donation there.  Pool all of them donations together and we will have a strong voice.  Until then, we will be just a bunch of rag tag fishermen who no one will take seriously. 

Shame on us for allowing this to happen.

I see more hits and replies for football posts than I do for any conservation posts lately! How sad is that? 

[ped579]

So true Joe, I believe the reason that we haven't banded together as one is because of ego.  If it is, those of us that have a problem need to get off our high horse and join the fight as one.

If we don't I am afraid we will loose many battles if not the war.

[njdiver]

And where are these groups who are in want of our money when this happened?  Are they talking a good game but not showing up to play?

All three testified against the Senate bill in Committee last year.  No one from the "public" showed up to testify against! The Committee meeting was held at Wilson Hall, Monmouth University in Long Branch.

[njdiver]

I know it takes time and they do what they can, but is that good enough?  We MUST band together.

As I have said many times before, we need ONE group to fight for us. One group to stay on top of these issues.  We are so spread apart we will not get things accomplished.

A donation here, a donation there.  Pool all of them donations together and we will have a strong voice.  Until then, we will be just a bunch of rag tag fishermen who no one will take seriously. 

Shame on us for allowing this to happen.

I see more hits and replies for football posts than I do for any conservation posts lately! How sad is that? 

So true Joe, I believe the reason that we haven't banded together as one is because of ego.  If it is, those of us that have a problem need to get off our high horse and join the fight as one.

If we don't I am afraid we will loose many battles if not the war.

There is a new PAC (Political Action Committee) that was formed to fight the animal activist Legislation to change NJ’s Fish & Game Council.  They were not only successful in defeating the bills, but also defeating the primary sponsors of the bills in their re-election attempts.  The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, you may have seen several posts here by their Chairman Mr. Anthony P. Mauro Sr.  If you would like to hear him speak, he will be at the New Jersey Council of Diving Clubs meeting January 30th, 7:30 PM, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Hall in Union, NJ.  You are welcome to attend.  He will be first on our agenda.   

[IrishAyes]

I was at the Monmouth rally.  He is a great speaker.  Doing a lot of good for the cause.