During its August meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) presented its Annual Awards of Excellence to an esteemed group of fishery managers, scientists, and law enforcement officers for outstanding contributions to fisheries management, science, and law enforcement along the Atlantic Coast. Earning an ASMFC Award of Excellence for 2022 was the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Law Enforcement for outstanding efforts to control illegal harvest of Atlantic striped bass from Raritan Bay and its tributaries.
ASMFC officially recognized New Jersey Conservation Police Officers from both the inland and marine regions throughout the state who were involved with the operation across New Jersey’s portion of the watershed. In December 2021, more than 200 summonses were issued and more than 500 illegal striped bass were confiscated.
Efforts continued throughout the spring of 2022. From early March to the middle of May 2022, approximately 4,000 inspections were conducted over the course of 650 patrol hours within Raritan Bay, Newark Bay, Arthur Kill, and the Hudson River. These efforts resulted in over 300 summonses being issued for violations including undersized fish, over the limit catch, fishing during the closed season, and interference with the duties of a conservation officer.
When possible, some of the seized fish were donated to food banks, while others were submitted to New Jersey Bureau of Marine Fisheries for the collection of biological data. The dedication and commitment of the Bureau’s Conservation Police Officers to the enforcement of sustainable fisheries regulations is truly worthy of recognition.
“Every year a great many people contribute to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast. The Commission’s Annual Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding efforts by professionals who have made a difference in the way we manage and conserve our fisheries,” said ASMFC Chair Spud Woodward of Georgia. “I am humbled by the breadth and extent of accomplishments of the recipients and am grateful for their dedication to Atlantic coast fisheries.”
Learn more about those bass busts in “Striper Wars! Poachers, Police & Public Perspective 2021” from the March, 2022 edition of The Fisherman Magazine available online at www.thefisherman.com/article/striper-wars-poachers-police-public-perspective.
