March 17, 2015 — Legislation setting new size and catch limits for anglers who catch striped bass and requiring new homes to be built with sprinkler systems will go to Gov. Chris Christie’s desk for consideration.
The striped bass bill changes the state’s minimum size and catch limits from the current two fish at a minimum size of 28 inches to one fish between 28 and 43 inches and a second fish no smaller than 43 inches.
The change is needed to comply with a mandate from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, a regional agency that sets fishing quotas for East Coast states.
If the Legislature failed to act soon, the federal government could have ordered a moratorium on catching any stripers off the Jersey coast.
The bill also seeks to empower the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council, a board made up of 11 appointees, to set striped bass fishing regulations in future years like it does most fish species. The Assembly approved the bill in February. The Senate’s 40-0 vote Monday sends the bill to Christie.
Read the full story at the Burlington County Times