2024 Fluke Regs

[Gerry Zagorski]

By the way for those of you who don't know pddmd who posted above is Dr Pat who serves on the NJ Marine Fisheries Council as one of the Sportfish Representatives.

You should also know these are not paid positions and there are 2 important recreational positions on the council that have remained open for several years now.


This from the NJ DEP website

Marine Fisheries Council
Richard N. Herb, Acting Chair (Sportfish)
Dr. Eleanor Ann Bochenek (Public)
Dr. Patrick Donnelly (Sportfish)
Warren Hollinger (Del. Bay Shellfish Council)
Jeff Kaelin (Processor)
Walter L. Johnson, III (Atl. Coast Shellfish Council)
Joe Rizzo (Commercial)
Robert R. Rush, Jr. (Sportfish)
Kevin Wark (Commercial)
Vacant (Public)
Vacant (Sportfish)

[Broad Bill]

Any idea why the two positions have remained open for that length of time? Is it lack of applicants or the Councils unwillingness to fill the positions or politics?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

Any idea why the two positions have remained open for that length of time? Is it lack of applicants or the Councils unwillingness to fill the positions or politics?

This from the NJ Fish and game website

The members of the Fish and Wildlife Councils and Committees in New Jersey are unpaid volunteers who act in the best interest of the state’s fish and wildlife resources on behalf of the public. The councils help create and finalize each year’s hunting and fishing regulations and enable the professional and scientific management of our resources. The Governor, with the consent of the Senate, appoints each member.

Pretty sure there were candidates, I know people questioned and pushed to get these seats filled, so maybe it just isn't a priority for this administration?

[pddmd]

The process is
nomination made to Governors office
Approval/interview with local legislators
Sign off by Governor
Sent to NJ Senate Judiciary Committee for approval

My first appointment(1997) this took 2 months
My second appointment(2018) took 2+years
The delay starts at the Governors office, and stalls at the office at the 2nd time

Right now we are down 1 recreational, 1 at-large
Delaware Bay Shellfish Council is short 2
Atlantic Coast Shellfish Council short 2

WE have been told there are vetted people ready for Senate approval but that committee has not met recently

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by pddmd

The process is
nomination made to Governors office
Approval/interview with local legislators
Sign off by Governor
Sent to NJ Senate Judiciary Committee for approval

My first appointment(1997) this took 2 months
My second appointment(2018) took 2+years
The delay starts at the Governors office, and stalls at the office at the 2nd time

Right now we are down 1 recreational, 1 at-large
Delaware Bay Shellfish Council is short 2
Atlantic Coast Shellfish Council short 2

WE have been told there are vetted people ready for Senate approval but that committee has not met recently

Thanks Pat - I assume at large is public? If so, I would guess depending on the person to be assigned, this would be more of a recreational representation?

If there's anything we can do to help move this along please let us know.

[pddmd]

At Large is normally either an Academic or a Scientist. Dr Bochenek has worked for NJ Seagrant on topics such as research set asides. But she is a saltwater angler. It could also be a politician, but normally not someone with specific sector ties.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by pddmd

At Large is normally either an Academic or a Scientist. Dr Bochenek has worked for NJ Seagrant on topics such as research set asides. But she is a saltwater angler. It could also be a politician, but normally not someone with specific sector ties.

Gotcha but it sure couldn't hurt to bring more people into the council to round it out and I hope we get some more representation from Central and Northern NJ too

Thanks once again for posting here and keeping us up to date Dr Pat. This is exactly the kind of candid and open communications we need to keep people informed and involved.

[hammer4reel]

Hutch’s report said these 2 options seemed to be the most talked about at the last meeting

Option 23) 5/24-9/4 (3) fish at 17 1/2”

Option 30) 5/5- 9/23 (3) fish at 18”


Option 30 gets you in the water early for bays and rivers and keeps you alive in the ocean longer .
.
But I def like these options better than the slot we have had the last 2 years .

[Bigadam119]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

Hutch’s report said these 2 options seemed to be the most talked about at the last meeting

Option 23) 5/24-9/4 (3) fish at 17 1/2”

Option 30) 5/5- 9/23 (3) fish at 18”


Option 30 gets you in the water early for bays and rivers and keeps you alive in the ocean longer .
.
But I def like these options better than the slot we have had the last 2 years .

Would these options work given the reduction we’re facing? If so, I don’t necessarily think they are that bad.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Bigadam119

Would these options work given the reduction we’re facing? If so, I don’t necessarily think they are that bad.

Yes , both options exceed the 28% reduction needed