From an e-mail Tom Fote from the Jersey Coast Anglers Association:

I received (the following) from Congressman Pallone's Office about the Coast Guard planning on making the Shark River Station a seasonal station. Here's a flier on the  meeting. What is seasonal anymore? People are fishing year-round, and we need Coast Guard coverage at Shark River.

I am not sure if you guys heard but the Coast Guard is planning on making the Shark River Station a seasonal station.  Obviously, Rep. Pallone is going to fight against shutting it down because it will result in diminished search and rescue coverage in Rep. Pallone's district.  This would have adverse affects on recreational and commercial off season fishing.

We need some help getting this info out to the fishing community. Can you guys send us some lists of people to invite to the event?  Also please send this information around to your membership.

The New Jersey lawmaker noted that while the volume of boat traffic is greater during the summer months, the off-season brings some of the worst weather and most dangerous conditions at sea. The Coast Guard's proposed reduction in services "unacceptable". Our concern is that this might be a first step by the Coast Guard toward closing this station, located in Avon-by-the-Sea, permanently.

To ensure that the concerns about this suggested schedule change are addressed, Pallone has organized a public forum where community members and concerned individuals can join him in questioning Coast Guard representatives about their proposal and the effect it would have on the Shark River area. The forum will be held on Wednesday, August 8th at the Shark River Station, located at 125 Washington Avenue in Avon-by-the-Sea, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

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