Upcoming Forum to Discuss Future of Recreational Fishing

COURT HOUSE – Recreational fishing, is there a future? Here on the Other Side, charter boats are struggling to survive. Meanwhile, some species popular with local anglers are challenged while others are close to being overfished. Nonsensical regulations imposed by unvested bureaucrats pose very real disincentives for recreational anglers, while an equally nonsensical state sales tax structure serves as yet another very real disincentive to in state boat buyers. Locally, many waterways, marinas and even sections of the harbor itself are virtually unusable since for years, winter dredging has been prohibited in order to protect a species of fish, which hasn’t been seen in Cape May Harbor in over five decades.
“Recreational Fishing, is there a future?” This will be the subject of an upcoming forum sponsored by the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening, April 28 at the Greate Bay Country Club, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Chamber has assembled a panel of experts who will furnish their unique insights on this topic and offer their perspectives as to the future of recreational fishing. Anyone who works, lives or plays on Cape May Harbor, the Jersey shore, or loves our way of life here on the other side should take notice, and answer these questions for themselves: Is there a future for recreational fishing, and does it matter?
Mediated by Ray Bogan, the forum will commence with an overview and history of the recreational fishing industry. It is an industry that has been studied extensively. In answer to the question, “Does it matter?” consider statistics compiled in a National Survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As recently as 2006, saltwater fishing attracted 7.7 million anglers who enjoyed 67 million trips on 86 million days. Overall, those 7.7 million saltwater anglers spent more than $11 billion on saltwater trips and equipment, with trip-related expenditures accounting for $5.3 billion, spending for food and lodging at $1.7 billion, and transportation spending totaled $1.1 billion. Other trip expenditures, such as equipment rental, bait, and guide fees, were $2.5 billion. Nationwide, 263,898 jobs were created directly due to saltwater angler spending.
So much for the nation, what about New Jersey in general and Cape May in particular? This same survey revealed that when the top 10 coastal states are ranked in terms of overall retail sales, New Jersey comes in fifth, behind only Florida, California, Texas and South Carolina, with retail sales of $643,659,836.00. This number, while impressive only tells part of the story. According to another 2006 survey compiled by the New Jersey Marine Trades Association, New Jersey’s recreational boaters spent approximately $2.1 billion dollars in 2006. The same survey indicated that 56% of the respondents use their boats primarily for fishing.
So, recreational fishing does matter, especially if you are one of the almost 10,000 New Jersey residents who earn their living in recreational fishing related occupations. In a very real sense, recreational fishing can be regarded as New Jersey’s largest employer.
Is there a future? The Chamber’s panel of experts will address this very question by examining the issues that impact recreational fishing. Brian Muffley from the Marine Fisheries Administration will discuss current regulatory issues including the impact of state funding on marine fisheries, specifically in the recreational sector. Jim Hutchinson from Fisherman Magazine will define the sum of a recreational fishing experience and describe how even a simple fishing trip has a multiple impacts beginning with the trip to the shore, to buying sandwiches at a WAWA and bait and tackle at the boat. Melissa Danko, Executive Director of the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, will discuss the economic impact of trades and services on the recreational fishing industry. Rick Weber from South Jersey Marina will be on hand to discuss the socio-economic impact of tournament fishing on local communities and specifically, the affect of New Jersey’s sales tax on recreational marine vessels. Finally, Dr. Richard Perniciaro of Atlantic Cape Community College will address the trickle-down affect of recreational fishing on economy as a whole and why it is important that we work together to preserve and promote this critical component of our local economy.
Following Dr. Perniciaro’s comments, there will be a question and answer period and an open discussion and closing remarks by Vicki Clark of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce. After the forum, Dr. Eleanor Bochenek from Rutgers University will prepare a “White Paper” to help quantify the issues affecting the recreational marine industry. This White Paper will be available to and used by the industry to educate elected official as to the challenges and encourage them to facilitate changes to aid the industry.
For more details, to download the brochure or to register online to attend the forum, go to: www.capemaycountyfishing.com/fishing or call: 609-465-7181. Admission is $10 and light refreshments will be available. The Atlantic City Regional and the Greater Vineland Chambers of Commerce have joined in supporting this Fishing Forum as Marketing Partners and the event is sponsored in part by Tackle Direct, Hutchinson Plumbing & Heating, and South Jersey Marina.
To read the complete NMFS survey referenced herein, click on the below link…..
http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/Assets/economics/fisheries/recreational/pdf/2011%20HMS%20Recreational%20Angling%20Expenditure%20Report%20FINAL%2011.19.14.pdf