This bill specifically designates certain areas of the Sandy Hook and Axel Carlson artificial reefs for use by commercial fishermen. The designated areas are as follows:
1) On the Sandy Hook permitted artificial reef site – NW 40.22.93n x 73.56.08w; NE 40.23.03n x 73.55.13w; SW 40.22.30n x 73.56.08w; SE 40.22.55n x 73.55.48w; and
2) On the Axel Carlson permitted artificial reef site – NW 40.00.50n x 73.58.80w; NE 40.00.50n x 74.00.60w; SW 39.59.80n x 73.58.80w; SE 39.59.80n x 74.00.60w.
The bill includes in these areas, designated by latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, 300 feet outside of their geographical boundaries. These areas represent about 50 percent of the area historically available to commercial fishermen.
In these designated areas, the bill restricts the number of lobster or fish pots that can be set to 75 pots, and a limit of 25 pots per line to any string of pots. The endpoints of any trawl or sinking line linking pots is required to be clearly marked with at least one “high flyer” – defined in the bill as a flag, radar reflector, or radio beam transmitter on a pole, buoy, fishing line, or other equipment, that is visible above the water line.
No commercial fishing of lobster using lobster pots would be permitted in the designated areas from November 1 through December 15, and of other fish using fish pots from May 15 through October 1.
The bill also prohibits the recreational use of lobster pots in these areas. Under current law and regulation, there is no distinction between commercial or recreational use of other fish pots including conch pots, although most of the major fisheries in the State, other than conch, currently require commercial landing permits. Therefore, only conch and a very limited number of other fish can be caught with pots by a person who does not have a commercial landing permit.
The bill further requires all federal funds received by the State for artificial reefs to be used exclusively for areas of permitted artificial reef sites other than those areas designated for commercial fishing above. The funds may also be used to expand the size and area of the Sandy Hook and Axel Carlson artificial reefs to offset the area of the artificial reefs designated for commercial fishing. The bill restricts to donations funding for operation, maintenance, or restoration of the areas of the artificial reefs designated for commercial fishing. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to review and revise projects associated with the State Artificial Reef Program to ensure that the projects are eligible for use of funds received as part of any federal law providing funding for artificial reef programs, including but not limited to, the federal “Sports Fish Restoration Act,” 16 U.S.C. s.777 et seq.
Finally, the bill requires the DEP to apply, within three months after the date of enactment, to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to designate all permitted artificial reef sites constructed under the Artificial Reef Program of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife within federal waters as Special Management Zones pursuant to section 648.148 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.
Establishes restrictions and requirements for use of fishing gear and conch, fishing, and lobster pots on artificial reefs.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A3000/2645_I2.HTM
A2645 Establishes restrictions and requirements for use of fishing gear and conch, fishing, and lobster pots on artificial reefs.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Albano, Nelson T. as Primary Sponsor
3/8/2012 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Committee Voting:
AAN 3/8/2012 - r/favorably - Yes {3} No {0} Not Voting {0} Abstains {2} - Roll Call
Albano, Nelson T. (C) - Yes Wilson, Gilbert L. (V) - Yes Caride, Marlene - Yes
Clifton, Robert D. - Abstain Dancer, Ronald S. - Abstain
Here is the URL to get the recording of the meeting:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/archive_audio2.asp?KEY=AAN&SESSION=2012
Click on “Listen” to the right of the date (March 8, 2012).
Responses
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