By John Oswald - Asbury Park Press
Senate Bill 1122, which would create a free saltwater registry for New Jersey anglers, received unanimous approval in the Energy and Environment Committe on Thursday morning and will now move for a full Senate vote.
The passage of the bill out of committee was a long time coming.
But now New Jersey anglers have the chance to avoid paying a $15 fee to sign up for the mandatory federal registry required by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Without a state saltwater registry, New Jersey anglers will be required to pay the fee come Jan. 1.
Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) and Sen. Jennifer Beck (D-Red Bank), S1122 would require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to maintain a free annual saltwater registry program to meet the new federal mandate for data collection.
An Assembly version of the legislation (A823) has already passed (54-16) which would allow the state to apply for exempted state designation from the federal registration requirement.
Supporters of the bill are hoping to see S1122 moved to the floor of the Senate for a full vote as soon as possible.
"New Jersey's fishing community made their voices heard, and we want to thank all those Senators who helped get this bill to the committee for discussion," said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).
"Our praise of course to Committee Chair (Robert) Smith (D-17th District) for putting the bill up for a vote today. I know he's had concerns with the legislation and was waiting for input from the DEP, and that's why it was so good to have an opportunity to see discussion of the bill in the Committee," Donofrio said.
Representatives from recreational fishing groups from across the state, including The RFA and its New Jersey chapter, The United Boatmen, New Jersey Beach Buggy Associaton, Village Harbor Fishing Club, the Hi-Mar Striper Club, Forked River Tuna Club and N.J. Saltwater Fisherman.com turned out to participate in the process.
"We needed to get the bill moved and we got it moved," Tom Fote of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association said. There's no need to give the (federal) government $15."
While a representative from the Department of Environmental Protection asked the Committee to consider incorporating a $5 fee on the registration, the Committee heard compelling testimony from Sen. Van Drew to vote in favor of the no fee registry.
"Senator Van Drew was brilliant," said Jim Hutchinson, managing director of the RFA. "He told the committee how the fishing community was already taxed to the hilt and that bait and tackle shops were going out of business from a tough economy and draconian regulations. Van Drew told the committee that we don't need to put another obstacle that people must overcome to access this resource," Hutchinson said.
While the big question about the registry has always been who is going to pay for it, Van Drew maintains the cost will be minimal
He went on to explain that saltwater anglers paid more than $60 million in excise taxes to the federal government in the 2006 calendar year alone. The feds returned $3.8 million in Sport Fish Restoration funds to the state. Where's this money going, he asked?
"There was some confusion at first because some legislators weren't aware of the fact that fishermen already pay a 10 percent excise tax to the federal government on every piece of saltwater tackle they buy in addition to fuel at the docks," Donofrio said.
"When members of the Environment Committee heard today that the $3.8 million in Sport Fish Restoration Funds coming back to the state are used for salaries and other expenses instead of important programs like this, it was a pretty clear message," he added.
Senate Committee members voting in favor of the free angler registration bill included Beck, Sen. Linda R. Greenstein (D-Monroe), Sen. Robert M. Gordon (D-Fair Lawn) and Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerville). Sen. Smith abstained.
"In the end, the facts won out over the rhetoric, and the saltwater fishing community made their voices heard," Donofrio said. "But now it's time to call your state senator back and ask that they please help move this bill to the floor of the senate before the month is out." he added.
