Editor’s Log: Bleating & Babbling - The Fisherman

Editor’s Log: Bleating & Babbling

You ever get to feeling that you need a lawyer/lobbyist onboard every time you fish to stay on top of the ever-changing rules and regulations?  Throw in COVID-19 and there’s no way we could’ve gotten much in the way of access without a team of advocates working behind the scenes – and yes that includes both lawyers and lobbyists!

Ever since New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s initial “stay at home” executive order in March, the United Boatmen of New Jersey and Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) through their New Jersey chapter have led efforts to keep us fishing through the crisis, from the initial curbside bait and tackle sales to the allowance of for-hire fishing prior to many neighboring states.  Both organizations worked in tandem with groups like the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) in gaining allowances for state marinas and boat liveries as well.

On June 9, Governor Phil Murphy finally lifted the “stay at home” order in the Garden State; regrettably, that order did not include a boost from the 25-passenger limit that he’d placed on for-hire fishing two weeks earlier.  That seemingly changed by the weekend of June 13th when I received an email from Ray Bogan, the general counsel for RFA, United Boatmen and the MTA/NJ.

“(RFA’s) John Depersenaire, Howard (Bogan), Ed Kirschenbaum and I received notice from Congressman Smith’s office yesterday that the 25 passenger limit has been suspended,” Bogan said in a June 15th email.  A partner in the law firm of Sinn, Fitzsimmons, Cantoli, Bogan, West & Steuerman in Point Pleasant Beach, Bogan said the notice he received was enough to inform headboat operators that they’re allowed to increase capacity again.  “I texted a couple of folks and I’m sure there was talk on the VHFs. For-hire boats are still subject to the 6-foot separation and other virus avoidance measures.”

That Tuesday the Asbury Park Press was running with the story; but given that there was nothing published in any government literature, it would take me another 24 hours to get confirmation from state officials that this was indeed the case.  Like I said, we could all use a lawyer/lobbyist to break the bureaucratic red tape.

There’s been a lot of heavy lifting by RFA, United Boatmen and MTA/NJ on behalf of their members.  But that doesn’t mean these organizations are focused solely on industry; their customers, we as individual anglers, are ultimately the constituents forced to bear the brunt of a government restrictions.  As RFA executive director Jim Donofrio told me, “(it’s) not just the captains and the crews of the headboats, but this is very important for the recreational anglers who fish on these boats as they provide access to areas and species only accessible by boat.”

“So, this is a win for the anglers for fishing headboats as well, not just the business owners,” Donofrio said.

Party boat anglers will find onboard capacity varies based on vessel length and beam in terms of keeping passengers 6 feet apart along the rails.  Patrons should also expect to continue wearing face shields while following the ongoing directives “for maintaining a clean, safe and healthy work environment,” with touchless payment via credit card by phone or internet.  Party boats will also demarcate and post signs denoting 6 feet of spacing in all common areas, where people may form a line or fish along the rails.

Is this the so-called new normal?  God I hope not; and I know the lawyers and lobbyists working to protect and preserve our access rights don’t want this either. Earlier this season I posted a photo of me online, donning a mask with a 40-pound striper just prior to release.  Someone referred to me as a “sheep” for mindlessly following the COVID-19 regulations.  Considering the alternative, I guess it’s better a sheep than the lamb.

Related

Editor’s Log: Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham

Editor’s Log: Is This Really A Victory?

Editor’s Log: End Of An Era In Montauk