October 18, 2007 - 11:24am

Press Release

MCCULLOUGH REEF PROTECTION BILL PASSES COMMITTEE TEST

By wmurray

Legislation sponsored by Senator James J. McCullough, (R-2), which would prohibit setting commercial fishing pots or traps on any of New Jersey’s artificial reefs cleared the Senate Environment Committee unanimously today.

“New Jersey’s artificial reef program is an important economic and environmental benefit for all New Jersey residents bought and paid for, in a large part by recreational anglers,” McCullough stated. “When large commercial pots are placed on our artificial reefs it interferes with recreational fishing.”

New Jersey currently maintains 15 artificial reef sites located from 2 to 25 nautical miles offshore. This bill would prohibit, within the marine waters of the State, any person from using, leaving unattended, setting, or deploying fishing gear, other than rod-and-reel, hand line, spear, or recreational gig, within 100 feet of artificial reefs created under the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s artificial reef program. Violators would be subject to the penalties established for violations of the Marine Fisheries Management and Commercial Fisheries Act.

“Not only will the use of commercial pots or traps on our reefs deny their use to recreational anglers they very well may destroy the reefs they are monopolizing. The existing reef structures are vital to increasing the bio-mass and bio-diversity off of New Jersey’s shores,” McCullough concluded.

WMURRAY can be reached via email at WMurray@njleg.org.

Related topics: McCullough, Reefs, Recreational fishermen

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