Here's my humble opinion. I attended the meeting but didn't take roll call. The fact you asked the question you did suggests you didn't attend today's conference yourself. I don't hold that against you any more than I would hold it against the three tackle shop owners you referenced in your post. Maybe they were busy and had conflicts, maybe they didn't know about the conference, maybe they didn't care. Disagree with your sentiments singling out only people who make a living from this fishery attending. There are so many others who have a lot at stake if the current options are adopted. I think that thought process is divisive and is what's prevented the "fishing community" in total from having the unified voice it needs to be heard and create change.

There were representatives today from Cape May, the Highlands, Belford, Belmar, Point Pleasant, Barnegat etc. representing different interests and groups but all with a common purpose, to voice their concerns regarding the continued mismanagement of a very important public resource to the extent we risk losing it all together. My advise to you, in all due respect, would be attend the meetings yourself and you'll know who gives lip service to the cause and who is actually willing to commit their time and effort to make a difference. If you don't, by default you include yourself in the same category of people you're calling out in your post. Get involved and you'll be able to answer your own question.