December 2012 One Dollar Organized May 24, 1935
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Page 1 News For The Garden State Prsrt Std U.S. POSTAGE Outdoors Enthusiast PAID Newark, NJ Permit No. 973 Vol. 45, No. 12 December 2012 One Dollar Organized May 24, 1935. Serving All the Sportsmen & Women of NJ Counties: Atlantic - Bergen - Burlington - Camden - Cape May - Cumberland - Essex - Gloucester - Hudson - Hunterdon - Mercer - Middlesex - Monmouth - Morris - Ocean - Passaic - Salem - Somerset - Sussex - Union - Warren NJ FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Assoc. of Field Trial Clubs of NJ - NJ Bass Federation - Jersey Coast Anglers Assoc. - NJ Beach Buggy Assoc. - NJ Chap. of Nat. Wild Turkey Fed. - NJ Ducks Unlimited - NJ State Council Trout Unlimited - NJ Trappers Assoc. - NJ Waterfowlers Assoc. - United Bow Hunters of NJ DEP Issues Hurricane Sandy Takes Toll on Recreational Fishing and Boating Advisory Garden State Fisheries TRENTON – Due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, several waste water treatment facilities in the state went off- The U.S. Department of Commerce line, resulting in the temporary runoff of in mid-November approved NJ Governor effluents into certain waterways. As a Chris Christie’s request for a declaration of public health and safety precaution, the a federal fishery resource disaster as a NJ Department of Environmental result of the devastation to the commercial Protection in early November advised and recreational fishing industries caused recreational boaters, anglers and crab- by Hurricane Sandy. bers to temporarily avoid these water- “I sincerely thank Acting Commerce ways and is advising residents not to eat Secretary Rebecca Blank for acting swiftly any fish, crustaceans or shellfish from to respond to my request for help for New these waters due to contamination from Jersey’s fishing industries, which sustained pathogens, both bacteria and viruses. serious losses during the storm,” Governor Affected waters include the New Christie said. “My administration will be Jersey portion of the Hudson River, working closely with federal officials in Passaic River, Hackensack River, assessing the extent of the storm’s eco- Newark Bay, Kill Van Kull and Arthur nomic impacts and in developing a Kill, Raritan Bay, Raritan River, and response that will help the fishing industry Sandy Hook Bay. If you are boating or in this time of great hardship.” fishing in these waters, you are advised Sandy resulted in significant losses to thoroughly wash, clean and disinfect for the industry in New Jersey, damaging any gear immediately. or destroying vessels, ports, facilities, and In addition, the DEP is conducting equipment. It also left coastal areas that the tests of waters along the state’s entire industry needs severely damaged or inac- Atlantic coastline. Rebecca M. Blank, Acting Secretary of Authorities are encouraging all cessible. The Commerce Department’s NJ Governor Chris Christie. David declaration also applies to New York’s Commerce and Deputy Secretary of anglers, crabbers and boaters to visit the Shankbone photo, courtesy wikipedia.com. fishing industries, which also sustained Commerce. Photo courtesy commerce.gov. Hurricane Sandy webpage at heavy losses during the storm. www.nj.gov/dep/special/hurricane- “We are taking action because of the sandy/ for updates on this advisory. In storm’s devastating impact on the people $1.4 billion in annual sales. ognize the significant economic and envi- addition, please visit fishsmarteatsmart- who live and work in coastal communities The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery ronmental contributions made by out- nj.org for current fish consumption advi- that were hit hard by Sandy,” said Acting Conservation and Management Act doorsmen and women to New Jersey. sories. Secretary Blank. “Many of these hard- authorizes the Commerce Secretary to “These contributions are both quali- Anyone consulting fishsmarteats- working Americans depend on a robust declare a fishery resource disaster and a tative and quantitative. Conservationists martnj.org will find a map with specific fishing industry to support their families catastrophic regional fishery disaster, are stewards of wildlife and the environ- informatory advisories to people in vary- and local economies. This disaster declara- respectively, which allows Congress to ment, while supporting businesses as ing groups. The information provides tion is part of a coordinated federal effort appropriate federal relief funds for assis- diverse as tackle shops, charter boats, statewide, regional, and water body-spe- to help the region rebuild.” tance to alleviate harm resulting from a restaurants, hotels, gas stations, marinas, cific advisory information for various A federal fishery disaster declaration natural disaster. boating, etc. The debilitative impact from fish species. The table lists the recom- triggers a federal economic transition pro- Upon appropriation of funds by Sandy on these businesses is unprecedent- mended fish consumption frequencies gram to provide disaster relief for impact- Congress, Commerce’s National Oceanic ed.” for the General Population and High-risk ed aspects of the industry, including com- and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) The Christie letter also stated “The Individuals for waters statewide and for mercial fishing operations, charter fishing will work closely with members of revenue loss for New Jersey’s fishing specific water bodies. operators, processors, and owners of relat- Congress and the governors of impacted industry is - both now and in the future - High Risk Individuals: This ed fishery infrastructure affected by the states to develop financial assistance plans patent. Significant infrastructure and eco- includes infants, children, pregnant disaster. to help coastal communities and the fish- nomic redevelopment will be needed to women, nursing mothers, and women of The New Jersey Department of ing industry. revive this badly damaged industry. For childbearing age. Environmental Protection has begun pre- In a letter written to Blank, in which this reason, a federal catastrophic regional General Population: This includes liminary work to assess economic impacts Governor Christie had stated the request fishery disaster declaration and assistance all others not in the high-risk category. of the storm to the industry and has teamed for a declaration of a federal fishery via a regional economic transition program PCB advisories for the General up with officials from the National Marine resource disaster, he noted: is appropriate. Such a declaration for New Population are presented in meal fre- Fisheries Service and the Atlantic States “New Jersey’s fishing industry is not Jersey will assist in obtaining immediate quencies (for example: one meal per Marine Fisheries Commission to visit only a defining element of the Jersey Shore disaster relief assistance for all negatively month or four meals per year). This commercial and recreation fishing opera- and a crucial tourism draw, but is also vital impacted fishermen, charter fishing opera- range is based on an estimated 1 in 10,000 risk of cancer during your life- tions that were impacted. They will also be and essential component of New Jersey’s tors, United States fish processors, and time from eating fish at the advisory assessing the cascading impacts of storm coastal economy and invaluable recre- owners of related fishery infrastructure level. had on other parts of the state’s economy ational activity.” affected by the disaster.” By using this advisory, you have that support the commercial and recre- Governor Christie continued, the necessary information to make an ational fishing industries. “Indeed, New Jersey’s fishing industry If you can’t fish because your favorite access point, marina, or dock is informed choice on the number of meals “Our fishing industries need our help provides jobs for fishermen, fish proces- of fish to consume. You can reduce your recovering from the devastating effects of sors, and related maritime support indus- gone because of Hurricane Sandy, Chris Zeman, New Jersey’s representative to risk further by eating less than the advi- this natural disaster,” DEP Commissioner tries, among others. In 2011, New Jersey’s sory meal frequency, however, this needs Bob Martin said. “This formal disaster commercial fishing industry landed rough- the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fishery Council, would like specifics. to be balanced with the health benefits of declaration is the first step in the road to ly 175 million pounds of seafood, generat- eating fish. recovery for industries that are important ing over $1.3 billion of economic activity. Mr. Zeman is writing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The limits that follow each species to the economy and identity of shore and to Similarly, the economic impact of recre- to get federal disaster aid for the recre- assume that no other contaminated fish the entire state. We will continue to work ational fishing is significant, supporting, ational fishing industry and is looking for are being eaten. If you eat more than one closely with the industry as we work according to industry, approximately 8,500 the help of anglers. species of fish listed in the advisory, the through this process.” jobs and $1.4 billion in annual sales.” He is looking for recreational total consumption of fish should not In 2011, New Jersey’s commercial Anthony Mauro, Chair of the New anglers to provide some details as to exceed the recommended frequency as a fishing industry landed roughly 175 mil- Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA), com- where specific infrastructure damage has guideline for consumption.