NJ Marine Fisheries Council Slated To Meet July 14 - The Fisherman

NJ Marine Fisheries Council Slated To Meet July 14

The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (Council) is slated to meet at 5 p.m. on July 14 at the Galloway Township Branch of the Atlantic County Library at 306 East Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway, NJ, just east of Exit 41 off the Garden State Parkway.

Created by the Marine Fisheries Management and Commercial Fisheries Act of 1979 (N.J.S.A.23:2B), the Council membership is set by statute and consists of 11 members.  As per state statute, “nine of whom shall be appointed by the Governor of New Jersey (Governor), with the advice and consent of the New Jersey Senate.” The nine Governor-appointed members include four members representing interests of sports fishermen, two active commercial fin-fishermen, one active fish processor, and two members representing the general public. The remaining two seats on the Council are held by the chairmen of the two sections of the Shellfisheries Council.

There are currently two open seats at the Council yet to be filled since becoming vacant in late 2020, one “at large” public seat and the other a seat belonging to the recreational fishing community.  As per N.J.S.A.23:2B statute, Council members are appointed for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed at the end of each term. “All appointed members shall serve after the expiration of their terms until a successor is appointed,” the legal guidelines state, adding “The Governor’s Appointment’s Office shall annually review Council membership regarding any changes or reappointments.”

When contacted earlier this year by The Fisherman regarding the two vacant seats, the Governor’s Office said, “There are two vacancies for which candidates are consistently taken under consideration,” while noting that “The Governor’s Office does not comment on specific appointments before they are made.”  Pressed further as to a timeline for filling the vacancies, the Governor’s Office said on April 5, “We will not be commenting further at this time.”

A volunteer group, the Council is responsible for advising the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on various issues and management programs related to marine fishery resources.  To confirm date and time of the July 14 meeting and for details on attending this week’s meeting online go to www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/mcnclmtg.htm.

For additional questions call the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Fisheries Administration at 609-292-7794.

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