On a vote of 24-8, the New Jersey Senate passesd the Menhaden Bill (aka Bunker Bill) yesterday. Earlier this year, the NJ Assembly also passed it's version of the law. The commercial fishing opposition pulled out all the stops on this one.
As you may recall, this legilsation will prohibit the operation of the bunker reduction boats within New Jersey waters. NJ bait boats (who take only a small portion of menhaden) will be allowed to operate.
Now, its off to the Governor's Office (lame duck). He has stated he supports the legislation, but there is always the chance of a veto.
The RFA, JCAA, Salty Dogs (grass roots fishing organization) and various NJ & PA fishing clubs across the state deserve alot of credit for their hard work and putting a hurting on thier faxes and computers. NJ Senators received ALOT of faxes in support of this legislation.
This all started when the Salty Dogs (ad hoc group of guys fed up with bunker reduction) started march on Trenton in the cold rain to let our legislators know we were fed up with the raping of our seas. That rally had a big impact on our legislators. For many years we have been trying to get the bill passed to stop the raping of menhaden off the Jersey coast. Hopefully, this will be a reality if the governor signs the bill.
With the passage of the elver bill that prohibited netting of baby eels we are seeing more stripers in the bay, creeks, and rivers. With passage of the bunker bill, more bluefish and stripers will make the coast thier home. If you think fishing was really good this year, wait to next year if the bill is signed.
Thanks to all who worked ard to get this bill passed. Now, time to go fishing
As you may recall, this legilsation will prohibit the operation of the bunker reduction boats within New Jersey waters. NJ bait boats (who take only a small portion of menhaden) will be allowed to operate.
Now, its off to the Governor's Office (lame duck). He has stated he supports the legislation, but there is always the chance of a veto.
The RFA, JCAA, Salty Dogs (grass roots fishing organization) and various NJ & PA fishing clubs across the state deserve alot of credit for their hard work and putting a hurting on thier faxes and computers. NJ Senators received ALOT of faxes in support of this legislation.
This all started when the Salty Dogs (ad hoc group of guys fed up with bunker reduction) started march on Trenton in the cold rain to let our legislators know we were fed up with the raping of our seas. That rally had a big impact on our legislators. For many years we have been trying to get the bill passed to stop the raping of menhaden off the Jersey coast. Hopefully, this will be a reality if the governor signs the bill.
With the passage of the elver bill that prohibited netting of baby eels we are seeing more stripers in the bay, creeks, and rivers. With passage of the bunker bill, more bluefish and stripers will make the coast thier home. If you think fishing was really good this year, wait to next year if the bill is signed.
Thanks to all who worked ard to get this bill passed. Now, time to go fishing