Press Release
Smith Leads Letter from 13 NJ Delegation Members to Oppose Summer Fishing QuotasIn a letter sent today, authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) and signed by most of the New Jersey Delegation, to Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, New Jersey lawmakers expressed the need to delay any 2017 restrictions placed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on the New Jersey fishing industry. The letter highlighted the overwhelmingly negative impact the new regulations would have on New Jersey shore communities. “A reduction of this magnitude will have clear and immediate consequences for the families and businesses along New Jersey’s 130 mile shoreline—many of which are still struggling to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy,” said Smith. “The impact will not stop at the shore—local businesses rely on the fishing industry and the tourism that it helps bring. It is critical that any restrictions placed by ASMFC be delayed.” The proposed regulations would increase the size limit of the acceptable catch to 19 inches, and would decrease the allowable bag limit to just three a day. This would create a burden on New Jersey fishermen all along the shoreline and, as the delegation letter states, is based on insufficient data. A decision from the Secretary is expected by July 11th. “There is no doubt that a moratorium would have harsh and immediate economic consequences for small businesses and the families that own and operate them along New Jersey’s 130 mile shoreline,” says the New Jersey delegation in their letter. “We would encourage continued dialogue between NJDEP and relevant federal agencies to find a suitable solution that meets the conservation needs of the summer flounder fishery, while also ensuring that New Jersey can continue to support its robust and thriving recreational and commercial fishing industries.” The delegation urged the Secretary to give full consideration to the innovative management plan proposed by the state of New Jersey, and urged him to, "work administratively with the State of New Jersey to approve, implement and enforce New Jersey’s 2017 Summer Flounder regulations.” Click Here to Read the Full Letter. Joining Smith on the letter were: Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ); Reps. Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02), Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ-12), Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Leonard Lance (NJ-07), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10). ### |