Well, if you considered the weather during the last full week of February, then you probably felt that winter was in the rear-view mirror. Not so quick though, as thunderstorms and the accompanying cool front rolled through over the weekend, and returned the area to more seasonal conditions. Still though, most everyone I spoke to who likes to fish or participates in other outdoor activities had been bitten by the “spring fever bug.” Only time will tell if winter will return, so for now enjoy the nice days and get some fishing in if you can. Elsewhere, word arrived of an important development on the summer flounder regulation front, and that’s what we’ll use to get us started this week.
Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that they will introduce new legislation to prevent the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2017 and 2018 summer flounder quotas from going into effect. These quotas would affect the recreational and commercial industries.
“The recreational fishing industry contributes over $1 billion to our state’s economy and directly supports 20,000 jobs. The cuts for New Jersey are greater than what NOAA had required for the region, and too many anglers and their families are going to suffer because of them,” said Pallone. “These cuts are a body blow to the recreational fishing industry in New Jersey, and that is why congress needs to take action.”
Congressman LoBiondo stated, “We are united with the state in fighting these draconian cuts to New Jersey fishermen which allow neighboring states to freely pillage our waters at more favorable limits. The use of questionable methodologies and outdated science by NOAA bureaucrats will cut our fishing industry off at the knees. This bipartisan legislation is the next effort in our fight against these severely flawed quotas.”
The Pallone-LoBiondo legislation would maintain the 2016 quota levels and require that NOAA conduct a new assessment before issuing new quotas.
Pallone and LoBiondo realize the importance of fishing to the coastal communities and the state as a whole. Last month, they and a bipartisan group from New Jersey sent a letter to then U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, asking her to prevent rulemaking that would reduce the summer flounder quotas for recreational and commercial fishing from going into effect.
Pallone also appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA’s quota reductions because of the previously mentioned harm to New Jersey and its coastal communities.
I received an update from Bill Shillingford that the New Jersey Marine Council Meeting scheduled for March 2 has been cancelled. This meeting has been rescheduled for April 13 at the Galloway Township Library at 4 p.m.
Bill reads this as a positive move. First, it allows New Jersey to check for “legal ways to get around the proposed” regulations. A lot of opposition has been voiced so far, but a strong effort is still needed. That leads to the second point, and how that extra time can be used to the benefit of the effort. Fluke fishermen can again voice their disapproval of the proposed regulations by alerting their congressman of their feelings. “Even if you have written on the same subjects in the past few weeks” you should do it again to remind them of your opinion.
As more information becomes available about the upcoming meeting, I will pass it on.
Alright, let’s move on to some news of actual fishing. From friend and reader Cheryl Bulifant comes word of her daughter Brooke and her recent fishing adventure. Brooke Sarter was fishing down in Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica. Quepos, a small town in Puntarenas province, is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast and is considered a top destination in the world for big game sport fishing. Brooke made the most of her time there. While in town, she took a trip aboard the Front Row on Feb. 16. For her effort, she was rewarded when she caught her first ever sailfish. Good job, Brooke, as you created a memory that will last forever.
Closer to home we had some more nice tog catches. The winter season ended as February moved out, but the last weekend provided some good action. Tony Pacitti kept his hot streak going as he landed two more big tog, with one topping the 14-pound mark. Tony was fishing with Al Crudele on Bayhound Charters. It was the second weekend in a row that Tony landed some hefty double-digit blackfish.
Something to remember is that the local backwater and the rivers of Atlantic and Cumberland counties are now officially open to for striper fishing. The rivers are also giving up a load of white perch. Get out, grab some bloodworms and hit the water. Make your own highlights and let me know how you do.
Out and about: Keep Sunday, March 19 open. That’s the day of the Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo. I’ve been getting updates of different vendors who are committed to attend, and it seems to be growing daily. That’s a good thing, and it should be good for the local businesses, too. Also, there will be some nice door prizes, and various seminars have been planned for your enjoyment. Check out www.fishingexpowildwood.com or Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo on Facebook. Make plans to get out and enjoy the day.
One other date to keep in mind is Sunday, April 9. I know it’s still over a month away, but just keep it in the back of your mind. That’s the day of the Cape May Fishing Flea Market, running from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m.
Try to get out and enjoy the weather, if it cooperates, and maybe I’ll see you around.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.