SMZs approved for Delaware reefs

[njdiver]

Forces fighting to get commercial fishing gear off artificial reefs got a boost on Wednesday at the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) meeting in Virginia.

The council approved several options for designating the sites as Special Management Zones (SMZs) in the Delaware EEZ. The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife had petitioned the Council for the designation under provisions of Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The request was made in an effort to mitigate conflicts between hook and line fishermen and fixed pot and trap gear in use at those locations.

The Council approved options 2a, which designates all five of Delaware’s five reef sites as SMZs; option 3b, which restricts fishing activities to hook line and spear fishing; option 4b, which designates the sites as SMZs for the entire calendar year; and option 5c, which creates a 500 meter buffer zone around each reef.

Under option 3b, commercial hook and line fishing gear would still be permitted in the SMZs.

Capt. Peter Grimbilas, chairiman of the Reef Rescue Fund, and a tireless worker to get commercial gear off New Jersey’s artificial reefs called Wednesday, “a really good day.”

“The best thing about yesterday (Wednesday) was that finally, the MAFMC is paying attention to what the Sport Fish Restoration Funds are all about,” said Grimbilas. Grimbilas was referring to the fact that a good portion of the funding for artificial reefs comes from the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, which is to be used to support recreational fishing.

Grimbilas said that Dr. John Organ, chief of the fund, has repeatedly warned states that they can’t continue to take funds for reefs that benefit commercial interests.

These actions by the MAFMC are far from set in stone. The recommendations will go out for public comment and then on to the National Marine Fisheries Service for a final decision.

“It just so important that Delaware gets their way because we’re (New Jersey) going to be following right on their shirt tails. “We’re going to be asking for the same things for the same reasons,” Grimbilas said.

Grimbilas said that New Jersey already got it hand slapped for not requesting SMZ status earlier. The state’s funding from the federal government has been put on hold until it resolves the issue of commercial use of its artificial reefs.

“Delaware was smart enough to request SMZs and because they had the wheels rolling, U.S. Fish and Wildlife didn’t cut the funding,” he said.
The request for SMZ status for New Jersey’s reefs won’t be too far in the future. Grimbilas believes DEP Commissioner Bob Martin will be making the request once a proposal can be crafted that will be acceptable to all the parties involved.

Also on Wednesday, the MAFMC approved the Scientific and Statistical Committee’s recommendation to increase the 2013 black sea bass quota by one million pounds. Discussion of the black sea bass quota will continue at next week’s meeting of the ASMFC Winter Meeting in Virginia.

http://www.app.com/article/20130214/...Delaware-reefs

[dfish28]

Thanks for the info! It's great on all parts, especially the sea bass increase!!

[007Hookem]

A good step in the right direction...you don't often hear about regs that are in the favor of recreational fisherman. Nice to hear good news!

[RnK]

very encouraging news in the right direction - thanks for the update. Appreciated. Please keep us updated. Thanks

[frugalfisherman]

This was over 4 years ago. NJ fishermen Species > Conservation
July 10, 2008
NJ officials back 'pots off the reefs' legislation Similar legislation was blocked from coming to a vote last year...
Related Tags: Conservation email
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shareComment New Jersey reef fishermen were delighted to receive endorsements for the effort to eliminate fish and lobster pots from the artificial reefs built with recreational funds for hook and line fishing. Legislation (S-336) introduced by Senator Sean Kean (R-Monmouth County) was endorsed by Division of Fish and Game Director Dave Chanda. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson indicated she would also comply with the legislation's request that she apply to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council for similar protection on the 13 reefs that lie in federal waters. Similar legislation was blocked from coming to a vote last year by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden). The commercial Garden State Seafood Association held a big fundraiser for Roberts, who represents a non-competitive district), earlier this year.

This was over 4 years ago. NJ fishermen are getting the run around.

[njdiver]

We are not done with this yet. The next step is up to the National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Director, Northeast Region.

3. The Council, following review of the Team's report, supporting data, public comments, and other relevant information, may recommend to the Northeast Regional Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service (RD) that a SMZ be approved. Such a recommendation would be accompanied by all relevant background data.

4. The RD will review the Council's recommendation, and if he concurs in the recommendation, will propose regulations in accordance with the recommendations. He may also reject the recommendation, providing written reasons for rejection.

5. If the RD concurs in the Council's recommendations, he shall publish proposed regulations in the Federal Register and shall afford a reasonable period for public comment which is consistent with the urgency of the need to implement the management measure(s).

http://www.mafmc.org/fmp/pdf/SFSCBSB_Amend_9.pdf

http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1996-11-15/pdf/96-29165.pdf


“If the Council ultimately decides to forward a recommendation for designation to NMFS to implement SMZs through regulation, then a much more in-depth analysis of the consistency of the ultimate recommendation will be conducted.”

http://www.mafmc.org/meeting_materia...13_reduced.pdf

[007Hookem]

Theres Government bureaucracy for ya!! 4 years for these sandbags to get anything close to done.

[njdiver]

MAFMC motion on Delaware's SMZs:

I move that the Council recommend to
the RA with respect to the Special
Management Zone designation proposal
to approve 2a (all five reefs), 3b
(hook, line and spear fishing only to
include taking by hand), 4b (all year
round), and a 500 yard buffer.
Anderson/McMurray (11/3/2)
Motion

11 for, 3 against and 2 abstain. RA means Regional Administrator, referring to the National Marine Fisheries Service. He will have the final say if this goes forward to a public comment on a Proposed Federal Rule or not.

[njdiver]

John Bullard
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region
National Marine Fisheries Service
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298
Phone: 978-281-9250
Fax: 978-281-9207

Daniel Morris, Deputy RA - 978-281-9311