A call "For Help" and "To Help"

[CaptTB]

My response, and let me say up front that this is a HUGE disappointment. NJOA has decided to work without the RFA (who has thousands of recreational members from the state of NJ) at the state level, while continuing to withold its active support of RFA and United Boatmen's efforts.

IF and when NJOA ever actually takes a public stance and course of action on this topic suffice to say United Boatmen will support it iuf it has anything worht supporting to it.

Here is my direct response to "Ant"

Originally Posted by apmaurosr

Similarly, we haven't seen support from United Boatmen on removing commercial gear from the reefs. We don't assume there is lack of support by United Boatment - it might just be that it is not a priority or perhaps it is being approached from a different angle or maybe there's a conflict - we don't assume to know.

Difference is Ant that United Boatmen never held up removing commercial gear as a reason to join or support United Boatmen, as a matter of fact United Boatmen has never commented on the topic and has therefore no connection to it whatsoever.

NJOA however DID use the Sea Bass Closure as a reason to attend the NJOA rally and support NJOA...

Big difference sir, and if you cannot see that then I question your judgement on this and other issues as well.

The NJOA is dedicating its efforts at the state level (Gov., DEP and DFW) and is attempting to leverage any influence from the state back on the federal government for those reefs in federal waters.

Anyway, we at the NJOA wish the RFA, United Boatmen and commercial interests success on raising funds for litigation. Hopefully the length of time ligigation entails can make a diference in the short term, as well as the long term. In the interim, the NJOA will pursue an alternate course of action.

Again, feel free to copy and paste this response to on the other forums where you are asking such questions.

Ant

Thank you for your non-response, response.

It is a shame that NJOA, in my first hand experience attending NJOA sponsored meetings previously, has talked about unity and consensus yet when pressed has chosen to remain silent when asked to unify.

This is the response I expected, it is too bad NJOA has chosen to ignore the fact that groups like UB and RFA have been working locally and at a state level for years before NJOA even existed, while simultaneously working at the federal level, and has chosen to go it alone with an as yet unspecified "different approach".

For those reading, United Boatmen and RFA will continue to work on both the local, state and federal levels, while offering actual public support (and not just well wishes) for any action NJOA and other groups may actively take, if we ever find out what they are.

Working behind the scenes is something that has been done since before the closure even happened, knowing that it was likely to come as many of us did.

Time to work openly and support each other. Too bad NJOA has chosen not to do that.

Capt. Tony Bogan