A Fisherperson needs your help!

GDubya07 thanks so much for your support! Every donation counts and gets us closer to correcting the declining trajectory this fishery has been on for way too long. Making a mistake is one thing, allowing it to continue for who knows what reasons is inexcusable. Regulations have to change, your contribution will help see that happen. Thanks again!

[TomKaye]

Thanks for the link and all your hard work.
Have been an RFA member for a few years. You made it easier for me
to donate a few extra bucks so my grandkids can one day enjoy my passion.
.

Tom I know your post was directed to Dave as it should be. His commitment to help preserve fisheries for everyone's benefit is inspiring. We're not talking about blowfish, kingfish, croakers etc. here, we're talking about the future of one of the mainstay inshore fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic Region and good part of the New England Region. Fluke, Stripers and Blues always highlighted summer months followed by winter species for generations.

These fisheries are facing challenges never before faced. A rebuilding plan for stripers has been established and is working, same for bluefish. Management of the summer flounder fishery, on the other hand, has employed the same failed strategy over the last decade as the stock and recruitment levels continue their substantial declines. Why changes haven't been introduced is anyone's guess but it certainly isn't supported by the volumes of data science has provided. The regulations going into the 2022 season have to change so the rebuilding process can begin to save this fishery from it's own regulations.

It won't be hard, the blueprint is already there from the nineties. Why management ever elected to replace regulations that promoted the most explosive growth in the history of the fishery with ones that resulted in substantial declines over this past decade is truly a question without a rationale answer.

Tom your post is in the spirit of this fund raiser. To preserve a fishery for future generations, one our grandparents, parents and all of us enjoyed for the better part of our lives.

Thanks again for your contribution and commitment in helping make that happen!

[Rocky]

Donated for a great cause. Thanks again for all the hard work you have been doing through the years.

[dales529]

Thanks ACABTB, Gdubs, Tom Kaye and Rocky for the support! Appreciate your taking this up hopefully we can get on a little roll here and more will follow suit.
I will keep you posted and the work ahead and where we think its going as time goes on.

Thanks again it all helps!!

[GDubya07]

Dave thank you and the countless others who do the grunt work

GDubs-

[dales529]

Bueller / Anyone? Still way short of the goal

Originally Posted by dales529

Bueller / Anyone? Still way short of the goal

Well Dave as they say, the best laid plans of mice and men. Think Bueller would consider going to Washington on our behalf? Might as well book transportation for one foot and one leg to represent the fishery and all sectors rights as it certainly appears you're efforts will come up well short of the measly $5k goal.

Just an fyi, I'll have the draft to the Secretary of Commerce, NOAA, NMFS, Congressional Representatives, State Representatives representing shore communities, Members of the ASMFC and MAMFC ready in a few weeks. Would like you to review and comment before sending out to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

The summer flounder fishery, and there's no other way of putting this, is being destroyed by asinine and archaic regulations. There's so much we can do if we just take time to articulate what we feel and support the groups that support the fishery. But we don't. We bitch and moan and when it comes time to put our money where our mouths are, we bitch and moan more. Summer flounder is headed in exactly the same direction as winter flounder and we're letting that happen. Never thought I'd see us throw in the towel in my lifetime but actions speak louder than words.

Review the four attached charts. Summer flounder is on the exact same trajectory winter flounder has been over the last two or three decades. Substantial cuts in landings weren't enough to fend off declines in the fishery. It's not about landings in the absolute as much as it is about landing the correct age classes. Kill the spawning stock, kill the breeders, kill recruitment and kill the fishery. Pretty basic concept fisheries management refuses to acknowledge or doesn't comprehend. Personally I believe it's the former. Take close note of recruitment trends between stocks in the first and third chart. Recruitment is a leading indicator of every fisheries health and these trends driven by regulations mandating the harvest of wrong age groups will kill these fisheries. It's an absolute certainty. Winter flounder is already destroyed, summer flounder is following suit.

Compare the attached charts from the summer and winter flounder stock assessments. Substantial cuts in landings over the years in both stocks were not able to fend off declines in both stocks. As I said, harvest the breeders, kill already depleted younger age classes in the process, kill recruitment, kill the fishery. It's no different than a business, if revenue continues to decline you can't possibly compensate by cutting enough operating costs before ultimately closing the doors. Marine fisheries can cut landings all they want but as long as we continue harvesting the wrong age classes recruitment will continue plummeting and no amount of cuts in catch with a presumed 25% natural mortality rate will save this fishery. Regulations will only change if we have a voice and we'll only have a voice if we have representation in Washington in the form of a unified lobbying effort. Other than that, enjoy blue fishing because that will be the only game in town during the summer months and when all pressure falls on that fishery it's chances of survival are slim to none.

[dales529]

Just a reminder what RFA-NJ does for us anglers and this is the short list.
I highlighted that we hired a Lobbyist below to make a point and that point is that lobbyist works with RFA-NJ on behalf of NJ Anglers through the convoluted process to help us get the best possible fishery regulations obtainable. Most on here asked for this and we did it. With that comes a cost and without fundraising we have no chance to keep this going.
See below: its ALL Volunteer.
Please if you can help do so even if its 5 bucks. WE are 90% short of the the $5000.00 goal meaning we got around $500.
You can hate the process but stop hating the groups or individuals that try like hell to make a difference.
Just sayin We lose the funds we lose the voice!
https://www.joinrfa.org/rfa-new-jersey-chapter/

You do NOT have to join RFA to donate but we hope you do


RFA-NJ
Non Profit Chapter of the National RFA that specifically represents NJ anglers interests in Trenton
– All volunteer NJ board with no salaries
– Raises funds for political influence in Trenton

Uses Funds and Energy in a Variety of Ways
– Influencing and supporting political campaigns and elections
– Applying political influence to fishing related legislation
– Hired a lobbyist in 2020
Recent Accomplishments
– Early reopening of fishing related businesses during Covid Pandemic
. Curbside bait pick up for tackle stores
. Limited load charter and party boat fishing
– Held the line on NJ Fluke regulations allow NJ angers to keep 18 inch fish
– Allowing NJ to have regulations that can be different then surrounding states

[dales529]

Hi again. Some funds would go a long way in getting our voice heard louder especially while we are fighting for a NJ slot fish!
We didnt even come close yet on the 5K goal but are still working for NJ regardless and hope you see that.
If you agree please consider whatever you can afford to help us keep up the fight.
Thanks to all that responded to the RFA National survey and all comments are appreciated.