NJMFC Archives - Saving Seafood

NEW JERSEY: Fishing slows to a crawl, new commercial and recreational fluke allocations sought

January 29, 2021 — Fishing has slowed to a crawl as we approach the dead of winter. There are just a handful of party boats are sailing on either daily or limited schedules.

The Jamaica II and Ocean Explorer party boats took patrons out for blackfish a couple of times this week.

After so-so fishing on Monday and skipping Tuesday due to the ocean conditions, Capt. Bobby Quinn reported the blackfish were hungry on Wednesday. The ocean was a bit lumpy from northwest winds but fishable.

One of his fares reeled in a 14-pound blackfish as Quinn said the big fish were really on the feed. He observed a number of fish in the six to 10-pound range get hauled in. He had anglers catch their four-fish limit.

Capt. Ryan Bogan of the Jamaica II sailed Monday. He bounced around and reported a catch of 17 keeper blackfish on the boat. There was one codfish and one ling landed on the boat.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

New Jersey council sets summer flounder, black sea bass regulations

April 9, 2018 — The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council met Thursday and set summer flounder and black sea bass regulations in front of an overflow crowd at the Bay Avenue Community Center in Stafford Township.

Although black sea bass regulations were set, they may change after the upcoming Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council meeting April 30 to May 3, said Bob Rush, a council member and owner of the Starfish fleet out of Sea Isle City.

That’s where states unhappy with their reduced quota — such as New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island — will make their case that New Jersey should share some of its increased quota with them.

Unlike last year, when flounder regulations were controversial, this year it was sea bass regulations that generated more discussion, Rush said.

Rush said limits on flounder size are the same as last year’s, over which the council fought and won against ASMFC.

But other rules are more liberal this year.

“We are actually getting extra fish and days at sea,” said Rush. “Last year the season ended the beginning of September. This year we are getting an extra week or two out of it.”

But black sea bass rules remain uncertain, said NJMFC acting Chairman Dick Herb, captain of charter boats out of Avalon.

Read the full story at the Press of Atlantic City

Feds threaten shutdown of N.J. fishery as showdown escalates

June 2, 2017 — Call it the Great Flounder War of 2017.

A simmering battle between New Jersey recreational fisherman and the federal agency governing fishing along the Atlantic Coast has now escalated — with potentially disastrous consequences for the fishermen.

In a teleconference on Thursday morning, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) officially found New Jersey to be out of compliance with federal regulations. The decision follows months of wrangling between the two sides, casting shadow over the opening of summer flounder (sometimes called fluke) fishing season.

The matter is now headed to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross for a final decision. If Ross agrees with the recommendation, both recreational and commercial fluke fishing could end up banned altogether in the Garden State.

The clash began in February, when the ASMFC announced stricter rules for fishing fluke coast-wide in order to address overfishing worries. The ASMFC called for a a 19-inch minimum on fishes caught, with a three fish limit per trip over a 128-day season.

New Jersey’s Marine Fisheries Council immediately pushed back and created its own rules as a compromise: a shorter fishing season (104 days from May 25 to Sept. 5 — 24 fewer days than were allowed in 2016), but an 18-inch minimum.

Read the full story at NJ.com

New Jersey assures fishermen they can fish for summer flounder

May 26, 2017 — In the tumultuous lead-up to the opening of summer flounder season, the state has assured recreational fishermen that the season will start on Thursday with an 18-inch size limit and 3-fish possession limit in place.

In simpler words, fishermen can fish for summer flounder despite a motion Monday by a regional fishery body to not accept New Jersey’s approved regulations.

New Jersey’s Marine Fisheries Council adopted the state’s new regulations last week but a motion to not accept them was made by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder Management Board on Monday.

In a press release on Wednesday, just hours before the start of the recreational season for summer flounder, the Department of Environmental Protection said any possible federal non-compliance decisions would first need to be voted on by ASFMC’s Policy Board and the full Commission before a finding of non-compliance is sent to NOAA Marine Fisheries for consideration.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

NEW JERSEY: The rules to know for the 2017 fluke & sea bass seasons

May 23, 2017 — After an offseason filled with heated public debate, it’s time for the summer flounder fishing season to actually begin.

At an emergency session last Wednesday the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council made its recommendation for this year’s regulations, which were approved the following day by Bob Martin, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection commissioner.

The season starts Thursday. The regulations are as follows:

For all N.J. coastal waters

18-inch minimum size limit
3-fish possession limit
Open season May 25 – Sept. 5

Delaware Bay and tributaries

17-inch minimum size limit
3-fish possession limit
Open season May 25 – Sept. 5

Island Beach State Park (shore fishing only)

16-inch minimum size limit
2-fish possession limit
Open season May 25 – Sept. 5

On Friday fishermen can also target black sea bass season. It will be another season of starts and stops. The regulations are as follows:

10-fish possession limit, 12.5-inch minimum size limit, May 26 – June 18
2-fish possession limit, 12.5-inch minimum size limit, July 1 – Aug. 31
15 fish possession limit, 12.5-inch minimum size limit, Oct. 22 – Dec. 31

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

NEW JERSEY: NJMFC meeting will choose from fluke season options on Wednesday

May 17, 2017 — The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will be meeting in Avalon tomorrow afternoon to select an option for the 2017 fluke season. The only thing sure is that lots of fisherman will be unhappy with whatever the council decides. DEP Commissioner Bob Martin is expected to quickly set whatever is decided into law — as the season could open as early as next week.

The meeting is open to the public at 4:00 p.m. in Avalon Town Hall, 3001 Avalon Avenue. The compromise plan approved by the ASMFC would maintain the 18-inch minimum, but with only three fish — and a shortened September season. We could also join N.Y. with a 19-inch minimum, or stay at status quo while being out of compliance.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar, Jamaica from Brielle, and Queen Mary from Point Pleasant all reported great bluefishing on jigs today — with limits for all and many releases of blues ranging up to 14 pounds.

Striper fishing was picky, but Art Berkman of Pompton Plains was delighted with the 46-inch, 45-pound striper he trolled as part of Tank Matraxia’s party with Capt. John Contello on the Sea Hunter out of Keyport. They had to run down to Asbury Park to find that bass, and the only other one was trolled by Marty Nowinski of Lyndhurst — a personal best 40-pounder.

Read the full story at NJ.com

NEW JERSEY: Sea bass regs pass council, Tamaroa sinking delayed

April 21, 2017 — The black sea bass regulations were approved by the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved the measures at its April 13 meeting.

They are almost identical to last year, except the 13-inch size limit — which was in place last fall — is not returning.

The season’s first wave opens May 26 and extends through June 18 with a ten fish bag limit at 12 ½-inch size limit. It is then closed for two weeks.

The second wave opens July 1 through August 31 with a two fish bag and 12 ½-inch size limit. It will then close until Oct. 21.

The final wave of the season is Oct. 22 to Dec. 31. Fishermen will have a 15 fish bag limit and a 12 ½-inch size limit.

Bob Martin, head of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, has to sign off on them, a spokesperson from the department said.

Tamaroa sinking delayed

The sinking of he United States Coast Guard cutter Tamaroa, on an artificial reef was delayed this week by weather.

The vessel gained notoriety for its daunting rescue missions during the “Perfect Storm” of 1991, but she was originally the U.S. Navy’s Zuni, an ocean/salvage tug, commissioned in 1943. She is the last surviving vessel from the Battle of Iwo Jima.

She is destined for the DelJerseyLand artificial reef jointly shared by New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. At 205-feet long the vessel is expected to provide a lot of habitat for marine life that will make it a productive fishing and dive site.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press