Mid-Atlantic Council Votes in Favor of SMZ Status for 13 N.J. Reefs

[Lido-Gambler]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT!
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​Just hours ago at the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Coucil Meeting in Baltimore a vote was held ending 10 years of conflict*to set Special Management Zone Status for all 13 Artificial Reefs off of New Jersey. A compromise vote was barely defeated*by a vote of 10-9 before the final vote of 11-7 passed the proposed legislation.
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The NJOA applauds Tom Baum and New Jersey representative Adam Nowalski for being strong, vocal proponents of SMZ status at the meeting.
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Said NJOA Chair Capt. Pete Grimbilis, " A light is shining down on recreational hook and line and spear fishermen tonight, but much work still needs to be done to ensure that National Marine Fisheries sees that this important vote becomes law."
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​Thank you for all your letters, phone calls and hard work in the weeks leading up to this historic vote, NJOA thanks you all immensely.
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​Trustees of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
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[Capt Joe]

Special Management Zone status................hmm..................

[Gerry Zagorski]

Nice and congrats to everyone who supported this.

[njdiver]

Originally Posted by Capt Joe

Special Management Zone status................hmm..................

Background material:


https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...sideration.pdf

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...MZ-Request.pdf

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...ns+%281%29.pdf

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...z+letters+.pdf

[njdiver]

The fight is not over quite yet. NMFS must decide to create a proposed rule and publish it for public comment or give written reason why not. It is on Mr. John Bullard's desk now for these final steps.

John Bullard
Regional Administrator
Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Office
National Marine Fisheries Service
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

978-281-9200

John.Bullard@noaa.gov