New Jersey shark fishermen can breathe a collective sigh of relief now that the federal government has given the state more time to bring its management measures into compliance.
The state faced a moratorium on shark fishing this season due to non-compliance with regulations required in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Atlantic Coastal Sharks Interstate Fishery Management Plan.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has agreed to give New Jersey until July 30 to implement the regulations necessary to avoid a moratorium on the state's shark fishery.
New Jersey's plan to implement the required regulations was outlined in a letter from DEP Commissioner Bob Martin to NOAA. As a result, the federal government has delayed imposition of the moratorium. One may still be imposed on July 30 if New Jersey fails to meet its implementation schedule.