I just got off the call for the ASMFC meeting today.  It took over 1.5 hours for me to even get into the call.  So I missed the presentation on black sea bass and the public comment as well.  Apparently they only had available seats for 50 callers in the conference call.  After Tom Fote, the Governor’s Appointee to the ASMFC, was also kicked out of the call they suspended the call and increased the available seats. 
 
They then re-opened the floor to public comment in favor for a motion to close black sea bass.  The motion to close the remainder of the 2009 black sea bass season was overruled 7 votes against and 4 for.
 
There was no motion on the floor for scup or summer flounder.
 
There were several states that asked questions as to how the projected landings were calculated and there were some very concerning answers given.  The projections were calculated on the 2008 seasons, bag limits and minimum sizes.  If any of the states had put in place shorter or longer seasons, changed bag limits or minimum sizes those regulations were not used in the projections.  Most states have changed seasons, bag limits and minimum sizes on summer flounder in particular, sea bass has pretty much remained unchanged over the past few years.
 
The ASMFC had acknowledged they had problems and this was one of their first webinar and conference calls but they were pleased with the amount of callers and attendees to the webinars and that they had more people on the conference call than have ever attended a board meeting.  They hope to continue with this forum and look to work out the kinks to be able to provide more opportunity for the public to be involved with the process.

We know something is coming, whether it be the already mandated Federal Registry (Jan. 1, 2010), state registry or state saltwater license.  Delaware put one in place for 2008 and NY has one in the works.  There are some bills in legislature already that hopefully don’t pass the way they are structured.  I am for a state license.  Why would we want to send money to the Federal Government to be put in the general fund and never used for fishing?  I think Tom’s white paper is excellent and brings up a lot of very important points for the structuring of a saltwater license in NJ.  While most of the angling community is against a license, I don’t see a way around it.  If it is well thought out it very well could make things a lot better in the future.  One thing it could benefit is the traveling angler, if you fish Delaware Bay, NJ waters and Raritan Bay if NJ structures the license properly it would be reciprocal or honored in each neighboring state so you would not be required to purchase three licenses.  Despite the corruption and political bias in NJ I think a saltwater license can be structured to help the recreational angler if enough of us get behind the process to ensure it is tailored to our specifications and not the to the politicians liking.

Take a read and I think if you are on the fence or against a license you may rethink your position.

Federal Registry White Paper by: Tom Fote

I have not read the document yet but thought many would be interested in it.  One thing I did pick out of it is that if you posses an HMS permit you are exempt from filing with the registry.

I personally hope NJ instates a saltwater license.  I know many are against it due to the corruption in this state but if the money stays in NJ no matter where it goes it is far better than it going to the federal government to never be seen again.   The fish and wildlife funds are closely monitored due to matching funds and other funds that come from the federal government, so it is very difficult for the Governor and other officials to dip into it or  to divert the funds elsewhere.  It has been tried in the past and stopped by the feds or the matching funds were to be revoked, in the two cases that I know of where this was attempted the state decided to comply.

NMFS Saltwater Angler Registry Final Ruling

NMFS Saltwater Angler Registry Final Rule Fact Sheet

APP: Fishing czar sends a shot across the bow

APP: Commission urged to rethink summer flounder plan