Recreational Fishing Alliance NJ Chapter Alert - 2/12/2010
RFA-NJ Board of Directors Capt. Adam Nowalsky and Capt. Tony Bogan will be featured guests on this Saturday's Rack & Fin Radio show, airing from 9 am - 10 am on 97.3 ESPN Radio. Capt. Nowalsky, Chairman of the RFA-NJ chapter, will be on to discuss recent efforts by the chapter, including Black Sea Bass regulatory and legal updates, and the upcoming "United We Fish" rally in Washington, DC on February 24th. Capt. Bogan will be discussing the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund's ongoing efforts to improve recreational fishermen's access to Summer Flounder.
The seventh season of Rack & Fin Radio on 97.3 ESPN with host Tom Pagliaroli kicks off Saturday morning from 9-10. The 50K watt signal reaches through central and southern New Jersey. Rack & Fin Radio also streams live on the web at
www.973espnfm.com.
ASMFC Finds New Jersey Out of Compliance with the Interstate FMP for Atlantic Coastal Sharks
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) issued a press release today that a noncompliance finding for NJ's coastal sharks management plan voted on at last week's winter meeting has been forwarded to the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior. Upon notification by the Commission, the Secretary of Commerce has 30 days to review the recommendation and determine appropriate action, which may include a federal moratorium on fishing for all 40 species of coastal sharks managed under the FMP in New Jersey's state waters.
The state Department of Environmental Protection, with the support and assistance of the state Marine Fisheries Council, prepared a Marine Fisheries Regulatory Package for 2007. The package has taken three years to get through the review process but has been ready for publication in the New Jersey Register since last fall, awaiting only the governor's approval to move forward. Because of former Governor Corzine's failure to act on the package, New Jersey is facing a potentially damaging shutdown of its shark fishery. Expedited approval of the Marine Fisheries Regulatory Package is now required by Gov. Christie.
"The RFA-NJ Chapter sent a letter to Gov. Christie shortly after he assumed office advising him of the need to respond to this issue," said state chapter Chairman Capt. Adam Nowalsky. "This will be very damaging because of its impact on a number of very high profile shark tournaments that are held up and down New Jersey's coast in the early summer -- tournaments that help generate income for New Jersey's fishing industry."
About Recreational Fishing Alliance & RFA-NJ
The RFA is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA-NJ chapter mission is to safeguard the rights of New Jersey's saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries.
For information, visit
www.joinrfa.org.
