Earlier this evening the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (NJMFC) voted unanimously to move the Artificial Reef Regulation on to be published as a Proposed Rule in the NJ Register on February 2nd. This compromise between the Commercial and Recreational fishermen was brokered by the NJMFC Artificial Reef Advisory Committee, NJ Marine Fisheries Bureau and the NJDEP Commissioner’s Office. It allows the use of sections of the two reefs within State waters (Axel Carson and Sandy Hook) by Commercial and Recreational pot fishermen with restrictions and penalties. This regulation once published will have a 60 day public comment period. Thereafter, comments will be considered and a Final Rule will be published in a subsequent issue of the NJ Register.
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