Fishermen's Rally For Guadagno in Pt. Pleasant Saturday [Archive] - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Angler Paul

10-26-2017, 02:04 PM

Chris beat me to posting this but here is more info - Paul Haertel

The outdoor Sportsmen of New Jersey have a chance to help elect a Governor who will support us. We need to get as many people as possible to attend this rally for Kim Guadagno. We also need to make sure that all of us along with our family and friends get out and vote for her. The gap in the polls is narrowing and she now has a legitimate chance to win.
Recently Kim attended a joint meeting of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance and the New Jersey Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs. Phil Murphy was invited to attend a meeting with these groups as well but he did not even respond. We know that he intends to raise our taxes, make NJ a sanctuary state and ban the bear hunt. He is anti- hunting, anti-fishing, and anti-trapping.
On the other hand, Kim Guadagno is a friend of the outdoor sportsmen. This past winter she was the keynote guest speaker at the NJOA wild Game dinner. Two summers ago, she invited the leaders of various sportsmen’s groups to a barbeque at her home in appreciation for getting her elected as Lt. Governor. She and her children regularly attend the Governors Surf Fishing Tournament at Island Beach State Park.
At the joint meeting she was asked a number of important questions pertaining to outdoor sportsmen’s issues. Below are the questions, followed by here responses:
1) Marine Fisheries Bureau Funding (asked by Pete Grimbilas, Chair, NJOA)
New Jerseys’ Bureau of Marine Fisheries is one of the most poorly funded programs on the entire east and gulf coasts even though New Jersey ranks No.3 in economic values. Comparable states, with similar coastline lengths and similar recreational and commercial economic value, like North Carolina and Massachusetts, receive $28 million and $20 million respectively to fund their marine fisheries programs. This amount of funding allows N.C. and M.A. to conduct mandatory ASMFC species studies to defend or increase quotas, enforce state and federal regulations and increase/enhance public access to saltwater.
For the past decade, New Jersey has barely squeaked out a mere $1.6M for their marine fisheries program. This year, due to increased pressure from the recreational fishing community, the Bureau received $3.4M in dedicated funds. It’s still not nearly enough to defend existing quotas, enforce regulations, or enhance access. New Jersey’s 900,000 recreational fishermen and women are losing the right to the resource because the State can’t defend them with science backed data. If elected Governor, what will you do to correct this dire situation?

Answer—“I would support salt water anglers and understand this issue. We need to determine funding sources.”
2) NJ’s Bear Management Program (asked Jack Spoto, Past President of United Bow hunters of NJ) New Jersey’s black bear population is estimated at 2,400 bears. However N.J. remains the most heavily bear populated state in the US even while the current management program is helping to reduce the numbers. Phil Murphy says he will put a moratorium on future bear hunts. What are your plans to control and maintain a healthy bear population plus protect the public from bear/human encounters?
Response “I would maintain the bear hunt as a conservation tool.”
3) State Lands; State Park Police rules Vs NJ Fish and Wildlife policy (asked by John Rogalo, Chairman of the Board for Federation, Federation Northern Region President, and NJOA Trustee)
State Park Police and State Park officials have been bumping heads with recreational fishermen and hunters recently. This has occurred at Warton State Park, Lake Hopatcong State Park and most recently at Lake Aeroflex and Lake Musconetcong. The State Park Police feel they have the authority to restrict access to State woods and waters as they deem necessary even though DFW’s Title 23 and State Park’s Title 7 clearly allow unrestricted access to the resource for fishermen and hunters. If elected, how will you solve this issue?
Answer- “If elected I will review and support statues allowing requested access.”

4) Sand mining for Beach Replenishment (asked by John Toth, President JCAA, NJOA Trustee) Beach replenishment has been a high priority to safeguard our shore residents and maintain the shore economy. A Major new project between Manasquan and Barnegat Inlets just started this summer. An area of great importance to N.J. anglers, Manasquan Ridge, is being proposed as a source of beach sand. The Ridge is essential marine habitat sustaining a fishery that’s been utilized by commercial and recreational stakeholders for literally hundreds of years. It is a “Prime Fishing Area” as defined within the Coastal Zone Management Rules which were promulgated as part of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. The Division of Fish and Wildlife knows the value of this historical fishing ground and is against taking sand from it. The Bureau of Marine Fisheries seem receptive to seeking alternative sites for sand but cost is always an issue. As Governor what can you do to protect Manasquan Ridge and other prime fishing areas?
Response- “The emphasis/cost of designated environments like historic fishing areas must be higher than beach replenishment. I feel designated, environmentally, and historic would be more important.”
5) DEP Commissioner and Natural and Historic Resources Assistant Commissioner positions (asked by Ray Szpond, President of Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs) NJOA and other outdoor sport organizations have developed an excellent rapport with both DEP commissioner Bob Martin, Deputy Commissioner David Glass and Assistant Commissioner Rich Boornazian. They have listened and responded to our concerns and needs. If elected, would you keep these two fine gentlemen in those positions?
Responds: “I would if they wanted to stay on. Martin has indicated he wanted to go back to the private sector. Who would you (the outdoors community) want to see head these organizations?
6) Funding the Division of Fish and Wildlife (asked by Frank Virgilio, Member of the NJ Fish and Game Council, Past Federation President) The Division of Fish and Wildlife, through hunting and fishing license sales is the only government agencies that collects money from sportsmen for their services. Because N.J.’s government deems DFW as a profit center, they’re one of the few agencies that is charged rent plus fringe and direct expenses. This money could be used for projects like the archery park, that DEP says they can’t afford, that would be the first Olympic level facility in the east and draw archery enthusiasts from across the nation and internationally. The facility could become self-sustaining; create needed jobs for locals and the east coast center for the sport. If you become Governor, what will you to eliminate these unfair charges to DFW and encourage projects like the Archery Park?
Responds: “I support the Archery Park Project with private funding.”
7) A1616- Blood Tracking Bill (asked by Darren Doran, President, United Blood Trackers of NJ) NJOA has been advocating a ‘Blood Tracking Bill (A1616)’ for several years. This proposed law would allow for the use of a tracking dog and retrieve a hard to find, wounded animal during hunting season. Would you support and sign this bill if it gets to ye Governor’s desk?
Responds: “Yes.”
8) Firearms I.D. Card (asked by Ed Markowski, Past President of N.J. State Federation, NJOA Board of Directors) Currently, the firearms ID card, which is used to purchase and legally transport long guns, is issued one time and is good until revoked by the court. Murphy has stated that he would revive old legislation that would require the renewal of the firearms ID card every four years and attach is to your drivers licensee. The current system has worked without a hitch since 1968. Long guns are not the problem when it comes to crimes committed with firearms. Why change a system that has worked well for almost 50 years? What is your position?
Responds: “If it’s not broken, then don’t fix it.”
9) The Fish and Game Council (asked by Ray Szpond, President JN State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs) Several administrations have tried to disband or change the N.J. Fish and Game Council. Are you in favor of the existing Fish and Game Council, the current structure and their responsibilities?
Responds: “I would leave it as it is.”
10) The Marine Fisheries Council (asked by Rob Winkle, Past Chief of Conservation Law Enforcement for NJ) Are you in favor of the existing Marine Fisheries Council, the current structure and their responsibilities? Are you aware the Council is total lopsided if favor of the commercial fishing industry? Additionally, are you aware that council representation is also lopsided, it is comprised with one person from northern N.J. and the rest from south of Barnegat? Do you realize the MFC can only veto regulation or policy?
Answers: “I am aware that there is tension between the recreational saltwater anglers and the commercial fishermen and that there should be equal geographic representation on the marine fisheries council.”
11) Marine Fisheries Management (asked by Sergio Radossi, Member of the Marine Fisheries Council, NJOA Board Member) NJ’s marine fisheries management is primarily dependent on NOAA driven management data. Specifically, trawl surveys and the marine recreational information program (MRIP). This data drives decisions which dictate how the NJ Marine Fisheries Administration and the NJ Marine Fisheries Council manage our (N.J.) marine commercial and recreational regulations. This data is deemed suspect by the majority of recreational fishing community. The NJOA has prepared a long term action plan to address this. As governor, would you review this issue and take the appropriate corrective actions? The NJOA action plan follows.
Responds: “We need to find a DEP commissioner that would bring all parties together.”