While last year proved a big disappointment for those fighting to clear commercial gear off New Jersey’s artificial reefs, the battle was quickly renewed at the start of 2012 and continues without missing a beat.
After a Jan. 9 deadline passed without legislation outlawing traps on the reef ever leaving the Assembly, specifically the Agriculture and Natual Resources Committee chaired by Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano (District 1), supporters of the bills quickly worked to introduce new ones for 2012.
Similar legislation has been circulating in the New Jersey legislature since 2006 and Capt. Peter Grimbilas, chairman of Reef Rescue, has been one of its staunchest advocates.
Grimbilas, along with the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance and other groups, have organized meetings with legislators, letter writing campaigns and town hall meetings in an effort to clear the reefs.
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