Petition in support of legislation that could prohibit commercial traps on NJ reefs

[the giggler]

Received this from a very good friend who is active protecting <ACRONYM title="New Jersey">NJ</ACRONYM> Sport Fisheries. Thought maybe some here might be interested, and take up the cause.
________

I just took action in support of legislation that could prohibit the use of obstructive commercial traps on marine artificial reefs. I encourage you to do the same.<O></O>

Please take action today. It's quick and easy:
http://keepamericafishing.salsalabs.com/o/6394/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4056 <O></O>
For more information, visit http://www.keepamericafishing.org <O></O>

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Thanks Mike. This has been both a long and uphill battle here in NJ and we're losing federal funding as a result. The problem, as with so many things in life, is politics. Those in the state senate that block this "traps off the reef" bill that has been introduced numerous times are taking in significant donations from the commercial fishing industry that benefits from the problem at hand which is that they are taking over artificial reefs paid for and to be used for recreational angling, diving, etc.

The recreational anglers can't even fish most of these any longer because they are so tangled with commercial gear and ropes that you only lose rigs. Divers now find many of these sites equally dangerous for the same reasons. Federal law dictates that matching funds applied toward the building of these artificial reefs be accepted by states only to allow recreation fishing. The tide is turning, pun intended, as so many NJ state congressmen are now applying pressure to the minority to come around. The minority has agreed to compromise (meaning their commercial buddies continue to fish on the reefs), but federal law is clear - only recreation angling allowed.

Same old, same old - special interests have the funds to get what they want more often than not. Happens at every level of government in one form or another.

 

[Joe D]

Received this from a very good friend who is active protecting <acronym title="New Jersey">NJ</acronym> Sport Fisheries. Thought maybe some here might be interested, and take up the cause.
________

I just took action in support of legislation that could prohibit the use of obstructive commercial traps on marine artificial reefs. I encourage you to do the same.<o></o>

Please take action today. It's quick and easy:
http://keepamericafishing.salsalabs.com/o/6394/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4056 <o></o>
For more information, visit http://www.keepamericafishing.org <o></o>

Your links aren't working...

 

[the giggler]

Try this:

http://keepamericafishing.salsalabs.com/o/6394/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4056