Who says there’s no politics in recreational fishing? From Danish developers’ plans to build offshore wind farms along the Jersey Coast, to legislative appointees to commissions and councils divvying up options for striped bass regulations, our entire coastal resource is ultimately managed by politics.
Which means the public does get a say!
For New Jersey’s saltwater anglers and recreational fishing industry professionals, the window of opportunity for commenting on these proposals is typically very short; and in terms of the recent notice given by email during the week of August 18-24, 2019, there’s typically not that much advance warning either.
Have an opinion on offshore wind farms planned for the Jersey Shore? How about striped bass management and new regulations for 2020? Speak now, or perhaps forever hold your peace!
AUGUST WIND
Just hours after Denmark refuses to sell Greenland to the U.S., Danish power company Ørsted announces NJ hearings aimed at selling wind to the U.S. Ørsted, the Danish power company selected to develop a 1,100-megawatt wind project off the coast of Atlantic City, will be holding three public meetings about the project. Attendees will hear an Ocean Wind project overview then visit and interact with Ørsted employees and consultants to discuss specific aspects of the company’s plans to build an offshore wind farm.
Ocean Wind will be located 15 miles off the coast of Atlantic City. Construction is expected to commence in the early 2020, with the wind farm operational in 2024.
Monday, August 26
Atlantic City
Stockton University’s Atlantic City Academic Center
3711 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City. Free parking in the Atlantic City Parking Garage.
Meeting Details.
6 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, August 27
Ocean City
Howard S. Stainton Ocean City Senior Center
1735 Simpson Avenue #5, Ocean City.
Meeting Details.
6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 28
Waretown
Holiday Beach Club
Lighthouse Drive, Waretown.
Meeting Details
6 to 8 p.m.
SEPTEMBER STRIPERS
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) has announced the schedule for upcoming public hearings regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Board approved Draft Addendum VI for public comment. The proposed measures include reduced quotas for commercial fisheries and changes in bag limits, minimum size limits, and slot limits for the recreational sector. Options for the use of circle hooks when fishing with bait to reduce release mortality are also included.
Tuesday, September 3
Roselle Park Borough Hall
110 East Westfield Avenue
Roselle Park, NJ 07204
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4
Ocean City Public Library
1725 Simpson Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 12
Bay Avenue Community Center
775 East Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Also, New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will hold their bimonthly meeting at 5 p.m. on September 5 at the Stafford Township Municipal Building at 260 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin, NJ. For information call 609-292-7794. See the agenda.
PENNSYLVANIA & DELAWARE
On August 21, ASMFC officially announced the lineup of public hearings for striped bass management along the entire Atlantic Coast.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
7 p.m. Silver Lake Nature Center
1306 Bath Road
Bristol, PA
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
6 p.m. DNREC Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE
