no bunker for 2014?

[cricker]

theres rumors going around that the commercial menhaden fishery will be closed on February 13, 2014, i cant find anything about it on F & G, can anyone clarify whether this is true or not? 

[ChrisL]

Here is a letter posted to FB by Absecon Bay Sportsman Center regarding the closure....

February 10, 2014

 Dear Atlantic Menhaden Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, Bait Net License Holder:
 New Jersey Menhaden Dealer:

 As of February 10, 2014 the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has determined that the Atlantic Menhaden quota allocated to the commercial Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, and Bait Net fisheries will be harvested by February 12, 2014. Based upon this information and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 23:3-51.11(d)1 (L. 2013, c.74, s.13) the New Jersey directed harvest of menhaden in the commercial Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, and Bait Net fisheries will be closed as of 11:59 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2014.

 Therefore, effective 12:00 AM, Thursday, February 13, 2014, no vessel shall land or possess nor shall any dealer accept any Atlantic menhaden harvested by Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, or Bait Net in excess of the by-catch trip limit of 6,000 pounds through December 31, 2014. The commercial Atlantic Menhaden Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, and Bait Net fisheries will re-open on January 1, 2015.

 If the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife determines the directed commercial quota for harvesting Atlantic menhaden using Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, or Bait Net was closed prematurely, notification re-opening those gear types will be provided.

 If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Marine Fisheries at 609-748-2020.

 Sincerely,

 Brandon Muffley, Administrator
 Marine Fisheries Administration

[Pops Soul]

 

[Hunter 2]

Bad news for bait shops and the local guys who net Bunker to sell the bait shops. Looks like snagging bunker to sell is okay but I doubt anyone will be doing that.  
  Good news for gamefish.

[cricker]

the tackle shops along the delaware bay that rely are summer crabbing for a majority of their business are gonna get killed but i guess it needs to happen if the stocks are really that bad, guess i better load up on bluefish and shad early on in the season

[Pfishingruven]

Double edged sword!

The thing that sucks about this is a most of the catches aren't used for bait and the small businesses are going to hurt now. The State FG&W and Federal Marine Fisheries needs to start protecting the interests of these businesses and stop catering to the big businesses who are shipping these fish to factories for fish oil, fish meal, etc...Of course that will never happen because money talks!

This is good news, though for the fisheries management and the fish that feed on them!!

[cricker]

it kills me that such an ecologically important fish like menhaden gets used in applications that there are so many other options for, like if you need fish meal use the invasive asian carp taking over the midwest, if you need omega 3s use flax seed... it makes me sick how we treat our natural resources

[Capt. Carl]

Bait shops will still have the bunkers....they pay local cast netters to get their bait and the seiners will still be allowed the 6000 lbs to be sold as bait.

[Pfishingruven]

Bait shops will still have the bunkers....they pay local cast netters to get their bait and the seiners will still be allowed the 6000 lbs to be sold as bait.

Thanks

[ChrisL]

Here's an explanation of the issue from JCAA...
http://www.jcaa.org/JCNL1403/1403BunkerBait.htm

[fluke - u]

 ...Thanks Chris, ....

[BigAl13]

http://gizmodo.com/what-do-fertilizer-omega-3-pills-and-pig-feed-have-in-1517014100