The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (Council) is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at the Stafford Township Firehouse at 133 Stafford Avenue in Manahawkin.
By statute, the council consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, and is to be composed of four sports fishermen, two active commercial fin fishermen, one active fish processor, two members of the general public, and the chairman of the two sections of the Shellfisheries Council.
Membership on the Council is voluntary and is not a paid position.
After a long and drawn-out process under the former Murphy administration, all 11 Council seats were eventually filled in late summer of 2025. However, since that time two Council members – Richard N. Herb representing Sportfish interests and Jeff Kaelin as a commercial Processor – have stepped down, leaving two vacant seats for new Governor Mikie Sherrill to fill.
Council Members:
Dr. Patrick Donnelly, Chairman (Sportfish)
Dr. Eleanor Ann Bochenek (Public)
Warren Hollinger (Del. Bay Shellfish Council)
Greg Hueth (Sportfish)
Walter L. Johnson, III (Atl. Coast Shellfish Council)
Joe Rizzo (Commercial)
Robert R. Rush, Jr. (Sportfish)
John Tiedemann (Public)
Kevin Wark (Commercial)
Vacant (Processor)
Vacant (Sportfish)
As per state statute, the Council is responsible for contributing to the preparation and revision of fisheries management plans and advising the commissioner the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP on policies of the department and in the planning, development, and implementation of all departmental programs related to marine and shellfish.
The Council is also empowered to disapprove, within 60 days of the proposal, any rule or regulation or any amendment thereto proposed by the commissioner. The board also submits to the commissioner any recommendations for new rules and regulations or revision to existing rules and regulations which it deems necessary for the proper operation of an effective marine fisheries program.
The Marine Fisheries Council assembles Council Advisory Committees to discuss issues for a particular species, group of species, gear type, or other fishery management topics. These Committees consist of three to five Council members and several citizen advisors. Prospective advisors must apply for appointment by completing an Advisory Committee Application that will provide the applicant’s background, experience, and reason for interest in being an advisor.
For more information contact the NJDEP’s Division of Fish & Wildlife at 609-748-4344.
