The Fishing Line: Don’t Be an April Fool

Another week of unpleasant weather has kept anglers at the dock. On the few nicer days, I did see some brave souls fishing along the North Wildwood-Stone Harbor banks. No one reported any luck. The good news is that both the air and the water temps are warming up and that should shift things in our favor. Meanwhile, keep reading and stay up-to-date with the legislative side of the game.
One day classes on boating safety will be held on Saturdays, April 6, May 4, June1, July 6 at Price Hall, Academy & Seashore roads, Cold Spring. Students will receive a NJSafe Boating Certificate, required by law for all persons 16 years of age and over who intend to operate a personal watercraft or vessel 12 feet or over. Instructors are qualified personnel of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary, Flotilla 86. Cost $45. For reservations, schedules and more information, call 889-2236.
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, along with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, has scheduled public hearings for Summer Flounder, Black Drum and American Eel management proposals. A brief explanation of the proposals, along with the public hearing dates and locations, where to submit written comment and contact information for each species, can be found at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/marinehearings.htm .
NJ DEP Commissioner Bob Martin signed an Administrative Order reopening additional shellfish beds in the southern portion of Barnegat Bay, effective March 29, 2013. The beds had been closed since Oct. 29 as a precaution in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy making landfall in New Jersey. Details at www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2013/shellfish_ao2013-03.pdf
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is informing those interested in becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Training Course at Mercer County Community College Nov. 4-8, 2013. Successful completion of the course will count for 40 hours toward the 200 hour New Jersey apprenticeship licensing requirement. More information coming in late summer, but the tentative agenda is now at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2013/rehab_course_agenda11-13.pdf
You are invited to join wildlife enthusiasts and sportsmen in sharing knowledge, insights, and recommendations for strengthening NJ’s wildlife diversity and habitats at the NJ Wildlife and Conservation Conference, April 26 and 27, Sheraton Hotel, Eatontown. Information at www.conservewildlifenj.org/getinvolved/event/njwcc/ .
And, if you haven’t already, please consider signing the petition to save access to Drag Island. Here’s a portion of the press release: “Drag Island Access Preservation Association (DIAPA) has recently been founded by several interested New Jersey residents and anglers, including Bill Shillingford of Cape May County. DIAPA is described as a group formed and determined to fight for continued foot access to Drag Island, a historic surfcasting location at the base of the Garden State Parkway and Beesley’s Point bridges in Somers Point.
“The State of New Jersey is building a new southbound Parkway bridge and plans to demolish the Beesley’s Point Bridge in its entirety, leaving no access to Drag Island for fishermen, crabbers, folks who like to jog or walk, and nature lovers. Access has been in existence to Drag Island for 85 years since the Beesley’s Point Bridge first opened in 1928, but plans for the new project would forbid foot access. DIAPA volunteers say that once the Beesley’s Point Bridge is demolished, all angler access to Drag Island will be forever taken away, thus violating NJDEP rules regarding public access. If you are interested in helping save access, DIAPA has started an online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-drag-island-access.
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at
www.capemaycountyherald.com.
Let’s go fishing!