Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

a little news on where this may be headed . not sure if posting links is allowed .
http://wwlp.com/2016/03/10/june-hear...l-permit-case/
lou

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Article to "June hearing set in Everett casino environmental permit case"?

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Take note of the witnesses against the project. Rik van hemmen.

I can not make the meeting due to a prior commitment, but I would be curious as to why he is siding the city to stop the project

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Did a little more digging and found this on the Marine Sanctuary currently in certain parts of the Florida Keys. It clearly states some parts of the keys are closed to recreational fishing.

Here is the reference link https://mcbi.marine-conservation.org...orida_Keys.pdf

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Q: What is South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMS) in relation to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and GRNMS?

Is GRNMS part of National Marine Fisheries Service?

What is the difference between the two organizations?

A: A National Marine Sanctuary is not part of the Fishery Management Council system. Fishery Management Councils, such as the SAFMC, are established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and are charged with reducing overfishing and maintaining fish stocks. The SAFMC advises NMFS (NOAA Fisheries Service) in management of marine fish stocks in federal waters for sustainable fisheries. Sanctuaries are not charged with managing fisheries.

Marine Sanctuaries are designated by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. ONMS is responsible for identifying, designating, and managing ocean and Great Lake areas of special national significance as national marine sanctuaries. Sanctuaries are managed to protect and conserve their resources and to allow uses that are compatible with resource protection. Like NOAA Fisheries, Sanctuaries depend on citizen input through the Sanctuary Advisory Councils to advise NOAA on how to protect Sanctuary resources while allowing compatible use.

(Snip)

http://graysreef.noaa.gov/about/faqs/welcome.html

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Well I think Rik was not prepared for the reception he got tonight in Red Bank. He was greeting by a bit skeptical and sometimes angry group of around 2 to 300 fisherman. It was quite a turn out so much so they exceeded the capacity of the room where the meeting was being held and people were only allowed in when someone came out.

I almost felt sorry for Rik as he was definitely on the back of his heels all night with people coming at him form every corner of the room voicing opposition and questioning his motives. At the end of the day, I think his heart is in the right place and is very sincere about wanting to improve the quality and the envioroment of the area as we all do. However, as it was pointed out by several people, we don't need the Feds to accomplish that and everyone is very skeptical as to what could happen if they get control of the area and started to limit access to fishing, boating, clamming, crabbing etc.

I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Jim Donofrio the from the RFA there. He's seen this sort of thing time and time again... Marine Sanctuaries typically lead to restricted access to fishing and we need to stop this things in its tracks.

It's my understanding that this meeting was to get some public feedback before submitting the application for the Marine Sanctuary since local support is nessecary for consideration. I don't think Rik got the support he was looking for at this meeting. I think he heard the message loud and clear that he would have some major opposition on his hands if he and anyone else continued to persue the Sanctuary designation.

More to follow I'm sure and great to see everyone out there in force today.

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Sounds like people came together for a change. Sorry I couldn't make it and thank you all for representing.

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Rik's heart might be in the right place but what we need is political pressure put on the draggers to stop the extermination of the fishery that should be in these rivers and bays.

There should be stacks of winter flounder spawning but there are none thanks to draggers.

There should be crabs in the river but they were gone from the Neversink thanks to draggers.

Weakfish, fluke should be there in the spring and they are gone thanks to the draggers and idiotic laws that force the taking of breeders.

That is the ecology that has been destroyed but its underwater and people cant see it. That is the message that needs to be sent and then acted upon

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

"It's my understanding that this meeting was to get some public feedback before submitting the application for the Marine Sanctuary since local support is nessecary for consideration. I don't think Rik got the support he was looking for at this meeting. I think he heard the message loud and clear that he would have some major opposition on his hands if he and anyone else continued to persue the Sanctuary designation. "

I think the key would be to continue to keep an eye on this to see if any other meetings take place indicating that he continues to press on despite the strong opposition. It would appear to be a one man show as I really didn't see anyone there to support his efforts? But he was never very clear on who or what was behind him.

I also have to wonder how a Marine Engineer could not foresee any problems with involving the Federal Govt. in the process of keeping the bay &rivers clear of trash? He tried to keep stating that once this Marine Sanctuary takes place the whole thing would be overseen by a "Local Board" of representatives for the towns affected. Wow, Don Quixote for real!

I was very impressed with most of the people that stood up to speak against this plan. I hope that that is the last we will hear from Mr. van Hemmen except maybe an announcement to assemble in Fair Haven for a river clean up!

Re: Sandy Hook Bay Shutdown to Fishing
 

Thanks to all who showed up to protect out waters.

GREAT JOB