plugcrazy
03-31-2010, 06:32 PM
Fishing Column: Shark anglers granted reprieve
By JOHN OSWALD • STAFF WRITER • March 22, 2010
New Jersey shark fishermen can breathe a collective sigh of relief now that the federal government has given the state more time to bring its management measures into compliance.
The state faced a moratorium on shark fishing this season due to non-compliance with regulations required in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Atlantic Coastal Sharks Interstate Fishery Management Plan.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has agreed to give New Jersey until July 30 to implement the regulations necessary to avoid a moratorium on the state's shark fishery.
New Jersey's plan to implement the required regulations was outlined in a letter from DEP Commissioner Bob Martin to NOAA. As a result, the federal government has delayed imposition of the moratorium. One may still be imposed on July 30 if New Jersey fails to meet its implementation schedule.
The decision means that New Jersey's shark season can commence as normal.
New Jersey had been facing a complete moratorium on shark fishing this year for being out of compliance with 22 rules governing 40 species of coastal sharks, which was essentially due to a lapse in paperwork processing through Trenton.
"This is great news for our coastal fishermen, particularly given the fact that the New Jersey's shark season historically gets underway just over two months from now," said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). "We have thresher sharks arriving as early as May for our inshore guys and a whole host of offshore mako tournaments coming up in June and July, so the DEP has come through for our fishermen on this one," Donofrio said.
http://www.app.com/article/20100322/SPORTS06/3220339/1017/Fishing-Column-Shark-anglers-granted-reprieve
By JOHN OSWALD • STAFF WRITER • March 22, 2010
New Jersey shark fishermen can breathe a collective sigh of relief now that the federal government has given the state more time to bring its management measures into compliance.
The state faced a moratorium on shark fishing this season due to non-compliance with regulations required in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Atlantic Coastal Sharks Interstate Fishery Management Plan.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has agreed to give New Jersey until July 30 to implement the regulations necessary to avoid a moratorium on the state's shark fishery.
New Jersey's plan to implement the required regulations was outlined in a letter from DEP Commissioner Bob Martin to NOAA. As a result, the federal government has delayed imposition of the moratorium. One may still be imposed on July 30 if New Jersey fails to meet its implementation schedule.
The decision means that New Jersey's shark season can commence as normal.
New Jersey had been facing a complete moratorium on shark fishing this year for being out of compliance with 22 rules governing 40 species of coastal sharks, which was essentially due to a lapse in paperwork processing through Trenton.
"This is great news for our coastal fishermen, particularly given the fact that the New Jersey's shark season historically gets underway just over two months from now," said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). "We have thresher sharks arriving as early as May for our inshore guys and a whole host of offshore mako tournaments coming up in June and July, so the DEP has come through for our fishermen on this one," Donofrio said.
http://www.app.com/article/20100322/SPORTS06/3220339/1017/Fishing-Column-Shark-anglers-granted-reprieve