NJ Senate to Hear Saltwater Registry Debate

[Leif]

NJ Senate to Hear Saltwater Registry Debate:
RFA-NJ In Trenton This Week to Testify

On Thursday, December 3 at 10 a.m., the New Jersey Senate Environment Committee will meet in Room 10 on the third floor of the State House Annex in Trenton. At the top of the day's hearing agenda is Senate Bill 2194 sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) and co-sponsored by Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), a bill which create a free recreational saltwater registry in New Jersey in order to comply with new federal fisheries guidelines for data collection.

As written S2194 would specifically direct the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Marine Fisheries Council, to establish and implement a registry program for saltwater recreational anglers modeled on the registry program to be established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This bill specifies that the State cannot charge a fee for registration under this program, and also directs the DEP Commissioner to apply to the federal National Marine Fisheries Service for "exempted state designation" so that New Jersey's saltwater anglers do not have to participate in the national registry of saltwater anglers.

As reported in last Wednesday's Atlantic City Press, State Sen. Jeff Van Drew is rallying support for a proposal to establish a free state registry for saltwater fishermen, a bid which would keep state fishermen from having to pay federal fee in 2011.

"The people of New Jersey are being taxed and fee'd to death," Van Drew told the AC Press on November 25. "The least we can do is give them a chance to do a little saltwater fishing without having to pay another fee for the privilege." Van Drew said he opposed a fee out of fear that future lawmakers would raid the fund, and explained that putting forth a free saltwater registry could help boost coastal tourism by not charging a fee to those who come to New Jersey in order to fish.

Van Drew who is vice chairman of the Senate Environment Committee proposed the legislation in October 2008. An Assembly version of the saltwater registry legislation has already been passed successfully out of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in a unanimous vote, though that bill (A3252) is now resting with the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Van Drew has indicated that Senate Committee chairman, Sen. Bob Smith (D-Somerset) would prefer to see anglers pay the administrative costs associated with such a registry program, which is estimated to run at $1 to $2 per person.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance supports Sen. Van Drew's effort to establish a free registry, and is asking RFA-NJ chapter members to make plans to be in Trenton on Thursday at 10 a.m. in support of the S2194. "We would really like to see the state do what Senator Van Drew wants to do," said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio. "We all agree the registry should be free. This should not used to fund the Division of Fish and Wildlife, it should be about getting better data to do better science and research. This is not the time to be taxing people."

RFA-NJ and RFA-PA members who would like to see New Jersey set an example for other "license-free" states are encouraged to get to the State House early on Thursday to show your support of the registry legislation. The State House is located at 125 West State Street in Trenton, NJ 08625. Metered, on-street parking is available along West State Street, while there are several pay lots located within walking distance. Handicap parking is available in the parking garage and on West State Street in front of the State House and Annex and across the street from the State House.

On July 30, the Senate Environment Committee and Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee held a public hearing in Forked River to hear testimony from the public and invited witnesses on the impact in New Jersey of the new federal saltwater registry. Click here to read the official transcript (registry testimony begins on page 115.)

While there was no open opposition to the registry legislation at the July 30 hearing, it's expected that handful of registry opponents will be in Trenton on December 3 to speak out against Sen. Van Drew's legislation, including representatives from the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (Federation). According to the Atlantic City Press, Ed Markowski, Southern Region Vice President of the Federation said his group is backing a fee to help support what he called the "grossly underfunded" state Bureau of Marine Fisheries.

Saltwater anglers in New Jersey who are passionate about the future of this important registry legislation are encouraged to join the RFA-NJ chapter in Trenton on Thursday.


New York Legislators Look to Repeal Saltwater License

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announces plans to repeal the saltwater license in New York in place of a 'free' saltwater registry, while RFA's Jim Hutchinson looks on.

Click here to read more about New York's saltwater license problems and the efforts by Long Island legislators to repeal the "onerous" fee.

Photo by Joel Lucks (www.JoelLucks.com)



About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, visit www.joinrfa.org.