An endangered species listing for the Atlantic sturgeon is threatening New Jersey’s spring trawl survey and creating concerns it could eventually halt some fishing operations.
The state is struggling to conform to the federal mandate to protect sturgeon and for now is telling fishermen to keep fishing.
“As of right now, they should continue as usual,” said Brandon Muffley, head of the N.J. Bureau of Marine Fisheries.
Sturgeon, a prehistoric fish once abundant in New Jersey, particularly in the Delaware Bay, will officially become an endangered species April 6.
Read the complete story from The Press of Atlantic City.