The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) represented the interests of its Conservation Foundation members (see list below), some of the largest salt water fishing and diving organizations in NJ, at the Marine Fisheries Council meeting last night to show support for the Christie Administration compromise rule proposal to remove fixed gear from reefs in state waters.
Anthony Mauro, Chair, NJOA, thanked the Christie Administration, Commissioner Martin, and the Marine Fisheries Council, for their commitment to resolve the long standing problems encountered by anglers that are caused by fixed gear on reefs. Mauro stated, “For years members of the NJOA Conservation Foundation faced an uphill battle of advancing the issue against some very powerful interests wanting to maintain the status quo.”
Mauro continued, “The reef compromise rule is not only a testimony to the enormous accomplishments that can be realized when sportsmen and women work together to solve difficult and protracted problems, but also shows that there are ways to find common ground among unaffiliated groups with conflicting agendas. Let’s keep in mind that this compromise was forged by people on two very different sides of this issue.”
Captain Pete Grimbilas, President, NJOA CF, stated, “The compromise rule proposal will help keep reef areas in NJ waters free of gear that not only cause snags and other problems for drift fishing but it will also help maintain the integrity of the reefs and the natural resources that inhabit or use them.” Captain Grimbilas is also President, Reef Rescue, an organization that was formed specifically to advocate for the removal of fixed gear on artificial reefs.
As part of the compromise, the DEP will build a new reef site for anglers to ensure “no net loss” of reef area for hook and line, and spear fishing. A new reef will be built to compensate for the zones on the Axel Carlson and Sandy Hook sites where hook and line, spear, and fixed gear fishing will be allowed. The issue of removing fixed gear on reefs located in federal waters off of New Jersey’s coast continues to be pursued by NJOA CF members. Commissioner Martin has stated that the Christie Administration will petition the federal government to have fixed gear removed from these reefs in the near future.
The rule proposal will be available for public comment shortly and may be viewed at the NJ DEP site: http://www.nj.gov/dep/rules
