baitstealer
11-09-2009, 09:52 AM
If they keep going there will be nothing open for us to fish.
Kean introduces resolution against sea bass closure
Although the closure of the black sea bass fishery is in federal waters three miles off the coast, State Sen. Sean Kean, R-Monmouth, has introduced a New Jersey Senate resolution opposing the six-month closure of the black sea bass fishery.
The ban on fishing for black sea bass in federal waters began on Oct. 5 and so far, its impact has not been fully felt since anglers are still finding fair numbers of fish on inshore reefs and rocks.
However, as the water turns colder, these fish will be heading farther offshore, putting one of the few species left for party boats to target, off limits.
"It is unfair to take such a drastic measure and restrict fishermen when other conflicting reports show that the quota for black sea bass will not be exceeded," he said. "Local anglers should not be punished as a result of this flawed data."
The most recently approved stock assessment, published in 2009, reported that stocks of black sea bass are not being overfished and it indicates that the black sea bass stock has been at or above target levels for the entire past decade.
"The harvesting of black sea bass is essential to our state's recreational fishing industry as well as to the state's coastal economy," said Kean.
Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, supports Kean's resolution and what the other members of the assembly are doing to oppose this closure.
"The resolution clearly makes a point to our delegation in Washington," said Donofrio.
The RFA is currently preparing a lawsuit to have the federal closure of the black sea bass set aside.
Kean introduces resolution against sea bass closure
Although the closure of the black sea bass fishery is in federal waters three miles off the coast, State Sen. Sean Kean, R-Monmouth, has introduced a New Jersey Senate resolution opposing the six-month closure of the black sea bass fishery.
The ban on fishing for black sea bass in federal waters began on Oct. 5 and so far, its impact has not been fully felt since anglers are still finding fair numbers of fish on inshore reefs and rocks.
However, as the water turns colder, these fish will be heading farther offshore, putting one of the few species left for party boats to target, off limits.
"It is unfair to take such a drastic measure and restrict fishermen when other conflicting reports show that the quota for black sea bass will not be exceeded," he said. "Local anglers should not be punished as a result of this flawed data."
The most recently approved stock assessment, published in 2009, reported that stocks of black sea bass are not being overfished and it indicates that the black sea bass stock has been at or above target levels for the entire past decade.
"The harvesting of black sea bass is essential to our state's recreational fishing industry as well as to the state's coastal economy," said Kean.
Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, supports Kean's resolution and what the other members of the assembly are doing to oppose this closure.
"The resolution clearly makes a point to our delegation in Washington," said Donofrio.
The RFA is currently preparing a lawsuit to have the federal closure of the black sea bass set aside.