SSFFF Reaches out to all site sponsors
 

First of all, thank you to all of NJ Fishing.com's sponsors that originally donated to SSFFF 7 years ago. That money was used to hire Dr Mark Maunder. His work was accepted by NMFS and kept the summer flounder fishery open for all of us. Unfortunately 2 years ago NMFS decided they were no longer going to use his model. As a result we had to contract Cornell Univ and Rutgers Univ for two separate but related projects to assist NMFS. The monies previously donated were all used on Dr Maunder's stock modelling project. These two current projects together add up to over $60,000.00. The invoices are coming due and we need about $15,000.00. So, if you donated in the past, we are once again asking for your help. If you have never donated before we are now asking you for your help. Whether you have a 6 pack boat, a party boat, a tackle shop, an online tackle business, sunglasses, bucktail manufacturer, or marina it is in the best interest for your businesses and your customers to take 5 minutes and send a check to: SSFFF, PO Box 86, Brielle, NJ 08730. Any amount brings us closer to paying those two invoices.

Re: SSFFF Reaches out to all site sponsors
 

Dear Dave and the SSFFF, thanks again for all of your efforts to preserve this fishery. While the Mushin is not really a fluke boat - we fully support the importance of SSFFF and what it does - and will absolutely support this important cause!

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Thank You Alan!

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After all that's been put in by the few, I can't believe that there has only been
one response. The sponsors on this site all make their living from being able to
fish, SSFFF has only done good things to help us maintain a fishery, time for the industry to stand up and make a donation $$$, to help pay for the science
to keep you in business.

If you cannot afford to donate $, then how about donating some time. I have been boat fishing for 55 years, and I want there to be a fishery for the next
generations, that is why I have donated both $ and time at shows to give back
what fishing has given me.

Silence does not help, dollars and time does, Time to Stand Up and Help,

Sorry for the rant, but if I can find the time not being in the industry, those in the industry should be ashamed if you let the few do all the work.

Henry

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Jake , Its not a rant , its true , a few minutes after seeing Gerry's post , i wrote a check . I cannot understand how people making their $$$ fishing for fluke could be so cheap . I would ask them , is there any reason why your not helping ?

Re: SSFFF Reaches out to all site sponsors
 

Unfortunately they won't answer your question and their customers will continue to support them anyway...I can't figure that one out.:confused:

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Unfortunately it will not change , I had personal expierance in the first go around with a prominent fishing & clothing manufacturer that produced a very nice product & certain amount of sales would be directly donated to SSFFF .
A colleague & I finally got the 25K for SSFFF but it was a surprise at howmany active stores directly related to this fishery that did not step up ! If all had I'm sure we could have raised 50K !
This is critical & every manufacturer , charter or PB should step up ! What's gonna happen when fluke season is 2 months & the bag limit 2 fish !
Don't think it can't happen look no further than the gulf of Maine regs on ground fishing . The Capt I fished with up there for years had to sell both his boats !!
Maybe we should list the parties that have donated so any board member might consider sending them some business ! This should include manufacturers as well.
In essence the SSFFF is keeping us all fishing for fluke , we need to pay back the favor & the time to step up is now .

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I have gone to the well so many times with my customers, and they have always responded, some more than once or twice. I cannot in my heart ask them again, nor should I have to, it's time for those who have been the Monkey on our back to step up and show some support.

Then again some people have no shame and are here for a quick buck, always been this way, always will be......Sad.

Thank you Gregg, Nicky, Dave, Willy, Bob, Adam, Billy, Tony and everyone else who has worked hard for us, the dedication will always be remembered. There will always be a Special place in my heart for you guys! :):)

Capt. Ron

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Still wish I could hand you cash
Richie

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Appreciate it Rich but the Cash gets too involved as you know.....

Re: SSFFF Reaches out to all site sponsors
 

As of yesterday's mail, we received donations from: The Angler, the Gambler, the Ocean Explorer, NJFishing.com, Eyes on First Ave, Down Deep, and The Reel Seat. That is the entire list of donations from site sponsors since Jan 2016.

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Just my opinion, but while I think the SSFFF has tried hard. many guys see it as a wasted effort.
when NMFS just does as it wants to even after being given better Science . it shows they need to be approached in a different way.
I think money would be better spent on taking them to court and FORCING them to do, as well as pay for all these new studies. not the fishing community.
seems it wouldnt make a difference if a million dollars worth of studies were done until NMFS hand is forced to do the right thing.

look at how they do the for hire surveys monthly.
They only ask how many time your boat left port with customers.
Not one question about what you fished for, or how many fish you caught.
just how many times you went out. yet they are allocating money and paying for someone to ask questions that dont give them any info about catches at all.

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REALLY? I guess you never read the mission statement from SSFFF because if you did you would know our mission is only for better science. The RFA is a political lobby group. But hey you came up with a reason to not donate...good for you:confused:

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The court suggestion while it may be the way to go , as of now we can't even raise $15 K required for further studies ! I'm sure ur talking real money in that fight !
If everyone on any NJ fishing site just sent $20 bucks less than most spend in tipping a mate I'm sure we could reach our goals .
It's not always the amount it's getting all to particate , hell if a presidential candidate can raise millions on donations that average about $10 bucks or so , we certainly have enough members, site sponsors & lurkers to meet this obligation .
The SSFFF will dissolve , just like our fluke fishery if we don't step up now . It's so typical a small group doing for all & the others couldn't care less , simple if we don't come together golf stores will be real busy I guess :mad:

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well Actually I had both donated as well as supported the SSFFF , and still would .
I also Marched BOTH times in Washington losing a days pay hoping some changes could be made

Yet seems no one wants to stand up and say why others havent donated.
I did, if that offends you, thats your problem.

NMFS took all those past donations , hard work , and emotional effort and found it could still do as they wanted.
IMO trying to do more research all over again without a foundation to MAKE them listen and do something with that info is taking the same path.

Heck if just every 1 who fishes for fluke gave a buck , you could get all the money ever needed for research, but if no money is spent on enforcing that research , what would actually be gained ?

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Just back in yesterday from running another Fundraiser Fishing trip. Over the past 9 years these trips have been run for both SSFFF and RFA-NJ. I have enjoyed doing it and it has become a brotherhood but here is the problem:
I probably have run 16 trips, worked the shows, marched in Wash etc
It seems its always the little guy and the SAME guys year in, year out on these trips doing the leg work. Just fishermen who give a damn and contribute for years. Having said that there are a few Charter and PBs that have helped, donated raffle open boat trips etc but not enough.

Time for those in the industry to support all these individual fishermen who pay for your living and give something back to them. They all charter your boats, buy your tackle from your shops, buy your food at your delis etc etc and are still willing to go on a fundraiser trips and spend a little more.

Industry Needs to Step up more and support its all in your best interests.

Thanks SSFFF for doing your work!

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[QUOTE=hammer4reel;

Heck if just every 1 who fishes for fluke gave a buck ,

Lot of people on this and other sites do alot of complaining but no donations. It is in our best interest to support this cause as for hire capts. but the full responsibility should not fall on our shoulders alone. Every recreational fishermen should donate a few bucks. Some people seem to think because we make a living fishing they should not have to give a dime. On the other hand there are head boats that have not given any donations and many charter boats! I praise the people who have donated private and for hire.

After we spend more money on science and get real numbers what will be next? I agree with Hammer that liagation is the only way. If they do nothing with our new science are we wasting time and money? God knows that if New Jersey has one thing it is an over abundance of lawyers!

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I have reached out to Jim Donofrio (RFA), a couple weeks ago, I wanted to find out and hear what Mr. Trump thinks or if he even knows what has been going on in the Fishing world and the powers that rule us.....Jim said they have reached out to his organization and hopefully will have an answer for us soon.

I'm sure when Mr. Trump hears about our debacle for so many years, things may change (More Hope and Change)!! We can only Hope.

The Businesses and jobs that have been lost over the years is frightening for such a once viable industry.....The lack of young people involved or interested in the industry is even more scary for the future.

Capt. Ron

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Sorry for the late response on this, don't know how I missed this. :confused: I have been very busy at the store and not on the site as much. A good problem to have. Sending out a check today.

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Thank you!

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How about opening a PayPal account? It will be a lot easier for individuals like myself to send in a donation who don't really use checks.

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We are in the process of setting one up but you can still donate on our website with your credit card

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Why don't we hear from the company that makes Gulp they make billions off of you Fluke fisherman. The Reel manufacturers,Hooks,Line & Rod Manufactures. These are Billion dollar corporations, I'm not talking about our local company's & tackle shops & party boats that donate on a very limited income. It's time the big boys step up to the plate. I only hope the Fluke get tired eating of gulp if I can I want to stop using that stuff. Go back to dragging bait spearing & squid. Go back to your local tackle shops & buy only from them.
If I'm going to use a bucktail it won't be a spro I think our local boys like bucktail boys & our local sponsor guys make a better product & it's cheaper as well boycott the big boys.

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Most of the larger tackle manufacturers belong to the ASA (American Sportfishing Association) and they contributed $10,000.00 last fall and also donated a Mako center console for us to raffle off 8 years ago. I am sorry but there is absolutely no reason why local tackle businesses, tackle shops, charter boats, and local online "tackle dealers" can't come up with $100.00. If things are that tight it might be time for a new career.

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I don't know if that "Mr. Trump" stuff was a joke or not but I'd rather never fish again then rely on that blowhard. Regardless I gave a donation the second Gerry put his post up on Facebook. It troubles me how few likes and shares it received. I'm not privy to the metrics but I'd bet that post had 20 percent of the impressions of a guy showing off a couple bluefish. That's the true troubling thing. I also fully agree that Berkley should be kicking in something to this. Not something to raffle. Some cold hard cash towards the fisheries that keeps them in business around here.

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Was in to pick up a reel on Saturday. Put a little something in the ssfff jar. I know Dave is looking for people in the business to step up, but if all of us gave a little (in some cases a little more) then we can get this done. Thanks to ALL the sponsors who have stepped up and thank to Dave as well!