WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd) on Feb. 2 blasted the decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to drastically reduce the catch limits for South Jersey fishermen by approximately 32 percent.
“It is absolutely absurd that New Jersey fishermen are arbitrarily subjected to these draconian cuts when those from neighboring states are free to pillage our waters at more favorable limits,” stated LoBiondo in a release. “Just when our fishing industry was recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, unelected bureaucrats in Washington use questionable methodologies and outdated science to cut us off at the knees. I will do everything in my power to run this ASMFC decision aground.”
At the ASMFC meeting in Washington, it was adopted that a three-bag limit would be instituted for this season with a fish length requirement of 19 inches instituted. In 2016, New Jersey anglers held a five fish bag limit with an 18-inch minimum requirement. The length of the fishing season did not change, and New Jersey fishermen stand to lose the most by the decision.
Following the ASMFC decision, LoBiondo met with the state Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Bob Martin in Washington to coordinate next steps in fighting this decision.
LoBiondo had previously urged the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to adopt restrictions less harmful to South Jersey fishermen in a Jan. 5 letter with members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to then U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.
