NJDEP Fluke Press Conference Update

[Sullivan]

Originally Posted by dakota560

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.

Thanks for the reply , Dakota , but your right , I was thinking about what Dave (reel seat) had said about seeing more shop owners show ,I don't mean to divide , sorry .
As far as roll call , I had said I did'nt know who those people were that's why I asked , and most of you know each other , as I have read many familiar names , but you don't know me . Yes , I was there and at Galloway also . Maybe some day I'll match up the names with the faces !

No need to apologize. I understand your question and agreed with Dave's comments as well. I just think if anyone is going to be questioned under any circumstances, they deserve to be involved in the thread and afforded an opportunity to reply because again in this case they might have wanted to attend but had personal issues preventing them. Too many unknowns but more so someone's livelihood is being brought into it. Have seen many threads get closed when personalities or individuals are singled out. Yesterday's meeting was a very positive step in the right direction and would hate to see this thread meet the same fate.

Glad you attended the meeting yesterday. At some point hopefully we have an opportunity to associate a face to our screen name.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Most participation I've ever seen was at the first SSFFF fund raising dinner which if I recall was at Crystal Point Yacht Club. Place was jammed!! Not sure of the year but it was when they threatened to shut down the entire fishery.

We had a win there but it's been a long time since we've had another. Every year we've been beaten down by the very system that continues to takes our hard earned tax dollars and uses them against us. We even had to pay to force a Sex Study to improve the science which should have been funded by our tax dollars!!

The timing of what you all saw at Galloway and this Press Conference could not be any better because people are growing tired of fighting and not having anything to show for it.... We now have a new more sportsmen friendly administration coming into office, state and local political support at several levels and groups that usually fight against each other are now united.

It's very rewarding and encouraging to see some progress here and everyone come together as a group. However, things like this don't just happen..... They are the sum of many individual efforts.

Stick with me here, I have a point. We as individuals can make a huge difference!!

Not sure who was responsible for forming groups like the RFA, SSFFF, JCAA or NJOA. It was likely a few regular guys like you and me talking over a beer that hatched the idea. Those few individuals were the ones who created the movement we have now.

Don't think for a minute you can't make a difference.... Lead, follow, volunteer, donate and use your voice to encourage each other and others to do the same. It all adds up and as you can see with this movement, the whole is greater then the sum of its parts.

Get involved and stay involved however you can and let's get this done together.... Enough is enough!!

[nate chud]

thank you guys for all who attended wish I could have been there sounds like they all have a little more backbone and are going to stick with us on this finally hope the new administration in dc backs us up I think they will lets wait in see

[captain george angler]

It looks like we may have turned around and will have a fluke season season this year. I can't wait for warm days and drifting for fluke. It was good to see Atlantic Highlands was represented by Tom Atlantic Star, Kevin Dorothy B And the Angler had Jeff and myself. Also Tom from Fishermens Den was there. Still work to do and I think Trump is the answer. Captain George Angler

[Oceanroamer]

Great showing yes compared to the usual lackluster showings. But could be 1,000 easy. I too don't understand where the tackle shop, party boat, charter boat, marina owners, etc etc are and were on these things? The burden is put on the few. And I'm not saying that everyone can make everything....people have responsibilities, but even if 30% of those people affected by a fluke problem went, the numbers would be much greater.

So great job to those making calls, letters, emails, rallies, meetings, but why is fishing weak on these things.

[Reelron]

Originally Posted by Sullivan

People who make their living from this fishery should have been there . I don't know all these people , but would like to know ? I fluke mostly at AH , if you get off exit 117 you pass three tackle shops , were they represented ?

You pass quite a few restaurants, dinners, and gas stations too. Where their owners there, they will all feel the down turn if people stop coming down this way to fish. Who knows? Turnout could have been better, but let's be happy with what we got on a cold Friday morning and move on to what is important. Getting these bureaucrats, to listen to the people that know what is really happening and get off our backs!

[Sullivan]

I agree , but you know tackle shops and marinas will feel it more .

[Jarhead]

Good job Gerry & crew. Keep up the good work