"Pots Off the Reefs" to be Heard by NJ Senate Committee.

[njdiver]

The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation is proud to announce that Senate Bill 221, which would prohibit the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs, is scheduled to be heard by the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Monday, February 1.
 
This bill has been a prioritized by the NJOACF council for the past 2 years with active support and participation by council members; Reef Rescue, JCAA, HRFA, NJ Beach Buggy Assoc., Greater Pt Pleasant Charter Boat Assoc., Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, NJ Council of Diving Clubs, Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club, and all NJOACF council members including hunting and forestry organizations.
 
Reef Rescue and NJOACF held a rally to bring attention to the bill last year, which elevated the issue to the attention of legislators - commercial gear must be removed from the reefs. In fact, a letter sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife service by Reef Rescue and NJOACF, which informed them of the obstructions caused by commercial gear, ultimately resulted in a statement of support by NJ DEP and NJ DFW for removal of commercial gear in order to remain in compliance with Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish (Wallop-Breaux) Restoration Funds.
 
NJOACF council members will continue to be at the forefront of the fight for legislation that will advance our freedoms to fish, hunt and practice all forms of conservation and outdoor recreation.   
 
The public is welcome to attend. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 10, 3rd Floor, State House Annex in Trenton, NJ.  Directions can be found at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp.
______________________________________________________________________
Anthony P. Mauro, Sr
Chair
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects       
     
 "We've got your back!" ________________________________________________
 
JOIN NJOA:  http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

[WATSNEXT]

You  know we should take a lesson from the NewYork guys on this subject.

CAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ONE POT ON ANY ONE OF THEIR REEF'S

What did we do wrong ?

[mgm]

Maybe with Roberts leaving the Speakers position, there may be a chance for the Assembly to vote on it......I can't believe a few commercial fisherman along with their Associations can beat back the wishes of the masses!

[njdiver]

S221 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.

Unanimously passed by the NJ Senate Environment & Energy Committee this morning. A statement was made early that “I think we need a bigger room!” A standing room only hearing room was witnessed once again to a unanimous decision to pass the bill on to the full Senate, where in two previous sessions; it received 32 votes each time. Now it's on to the Assembly for another battle.

[njdiver]

Here is the history of this legislation:

This is where it died the first time:

A3986 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
2nd Reading in the Assembly

2/22/2007 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
5/21/2007 Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
1/7/2008 Motion Order of the day (Kean)
1/7/2008 Motion To Table (Watson Coleman) (41-32-0)

S2635 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
2nd Reading in the Assembly

5/10/2007 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment Committee
11/8/2007 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
1/3/2008 Passed by the Senate (32-0)
1/3/2008 Received in the Assembly without Reference, 2nd Reading
1/7/2008 Motion Order of the day (Kean)
1/7/2008 Motion To Table (Watson Coleman) (41-32-0)


This is where it died the second time:

A1519 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
Agriculture and Natural Resources

1/8/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee

(Was not brought before committee.)

S336 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
Agriculture and Natural Resources

1/8/2008 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment Committee
2/21/2008 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
10/23/2008 Passed by the Senate (32-4)
10/23/2008 Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee


Present status:

A1152 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
Agriculture and Natural Resources

1/12/2010 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee

(No scheduled meeting at this time.)

S221 Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
Environment and Energy

1/12/2010 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
2/1/2010 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading

[njdiver]

This is what's next:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010

SENATE SESSION 2:00 PM Senate Chambers
Voting Session: Time and Board List to be announced


Unfortunately:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010 (continued)

*ASSEMBLY QUORUM
The Assembly Quorum has been CANCELED. C & D Committees will not meet.

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee is in Group D.


Unless they can get their "act" together, this will possibly be the next time A1152 may be heard by the Assembly Committee:

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010

ASSEMBLY QUORUM Assembly Chambers
10:00 AM: Group (C) Committees scheduled to meet
2:00 PM: Group (D) Committees scheduled to meet

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/calendar/012910.htm http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/calendar/012910.htm

[njdiver]

Next step in the battle for our reefs...

General Assembly Leadership

Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver (D) (Assembly Speaker)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS:

15-33 Halsted Street
Suite 202
East Orange, NJ 07018

PHONE NUMBER: (973) 395-1166
FAX NUMBER: (973) 395-1724
EMAIL: AswOliver@njleg.org


Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D) (Majority Leader)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS:

985 Stuyvesant Ave.
Union, NJ 07083

PHONE NUMBER: (908) 624-0880
FAX NUMBER: (908) 624-0587
EMAIL: AsmCryan@njleg.org


Assemblyman Jerry Green (D) (Speaker Pro Tempore)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS:

17 Watchung Ave.
Plainfield, NJ 07060

PHONE NUMBER: (908) 561-5757
FAX NUMBER: (908) 561-5547
EMAIL: AsmGreen@njleg.org


Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D) (Majority Conference Leader)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS:

235 Ninth Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302

PHONE NUMBER: (201) 217-4614
FAX NUMBER: (201) 217-4617
EMAIL: AswQuigley@njleg.org


Call them, write them, fax them, email them. Ask them to have the bill heard in committee! Let them know you want the "Pots Off the Reefs"!