Give us back our reefs! Protest a Success

Press release
April 9, 2011Belmar, NJ

More than 50 people marched in protest in front of the District 1 Legislative Office in Cape May Courthouse to request a hearing for legislation that would bring New Jersey into conformance with a federally funded reef program and provide access to artificial reefs for the paying public.

Assembly Bill A1152 is designed to remove commercial fixed gear (traps) from obstructing access to ocean reefs and allow recreational anglers and divers using hook and line, and spear to fish. As Chairman of the Agriculture and Natural resource Committee, Assemblyman Nelson Albano, District 1, has blocked Bill A1152 from being heard. A companion Bill S221 was passed overwhelmingly in the Senate last month.

According to Captain Pete Grimbilas, "Bill A1152 would assure that New Jersey conforms to the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program and remove the threat that the Federal government will stop funding New Jersey's artificial reef program. Bill A1152 would also allow access to the reefs by recreational anglers and divers, who pay for the reef administration though excise taxes on fishing gear. Currently the commercial fishing industry has taken over the reefs with their fixed gear (traps). It's an outrage, especially since they pay nothing for the reefs." Mr. Grimbilas is cofounder of ReefRescue, a group that coordinated the protest and is committed to providing public access to artificial reefs.

Bill A1152 would require that fishing on artificial reefs be limited to hook and line, and spear fishing per the grant objectives of the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program. Captain Grimbilas commented, "I'm very happy with the turnout. This is the first of three planned protests. Our mission is for New Jersey legislators and the commercial fishing industry to give us back our reefs. These are reefs the recreational angler and diver have paid for but are restricted from accessing."

Anthony P. Mauro, Chairman of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance added, "We had a good cross section of reef users represented. There was a young boy, several elderly men up into their 80s, women, and even hunters who came out in support of their angling brethren."

Mauro continued, "I am amazed that a few legislators would protect an arrangement that allows the commercial fishing industry to profit at the expense of the common man, and in the process jeopardize federal funding for artificial reef administration while denying access to the recreational anglers and divers who pay for the reefs. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia have all corrected the same injustice by removing the fixed gear (traps) and complying with the federal government. Even Delaware has begun corrective measures to give the reefs back to those who pay for them. New Jersey is now noticeable for the mistreatment of its own people."

Two more protests and a rally are scheduled to heighten public awareness about the lack of access to artificial reefs and to ensure federal funding is not discontinued for reef administration due to non-compliance. The next protest is schedule for Saturday, April 23rd. The final protest, which will end with a rally, is scheduled for April 30th. Each will begin at 10:00am in front of Legislative District 1, 21 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.

People can use the link that follows to send a prewritten letter requesting that bill A-1152 be heard in the Assembly, which allows for public access (hook and line, and spear fishing) to ocean reefs as intended by the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program.

http://capwiz.com/njoutdooralliance/issues/alert/?alertid=36620501&PROCESS=Take+ActionNJOA (CF) Council members supporting "Traps Off the Reefs" are:


NJOA (CF) Council members supporting "Traps Off the Reefs" are:

- New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
- Reef Rescue
- NJ Council of Diving Clubs
- Jersey Coast Anglers Association
- NJ Trout Unlimited
- NJ Beach Buggy Association
- Hudson River Fishermen's Association
- Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association
- Jersey Shark Anglers Association
- Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
- NJ State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
- Hi-Mar Striper Club


Non Council Members supporting "Traps Off the Reefs":

- Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County
- The Regency Fishing Club
- Manasquan Fishing Club
- Sunrise Bay Anglers Fishing Club

- There are additional saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting and conservation groups that support "Traps Off the Reefs." The list will be updated on an ongoing basis.


Anthony P. Mauro, Sr

Chair
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects


"Preservation through conservation"


JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html




Officers: Ed Markowski, Captain Pete Grimbilas, Jerry Natale, Len Wolgast, PhD., Anthony Mauro