Editor's Note 2/13/08: Threats from the government to impose moratoriums on fishing can seem old hat. A threatened moratorium on fluke fishing is a real possibility, and now here's another one being threatened for tautog.

Many people in New Jersey's recreational fishing industry will argue that no shortage of fluke and tog were available to catch this past year and that the problem lies in the government's methods of managing these fisheries, such as faulty fish population surveys that lead to unrealistic and unnecessary population goals, like with fluke. Moratoriums on either tog or fluke would substantially harm the industry, and a fluke moratorium would devastate it.

The typical angler seems likely to read the below press release and be stunned that another moratorium is being threatened.

That's reasonable.

But being stunned without a meaningful reaction won't change anything.

Understanding the entire issue, such as Addenda IV and V that the ASMFC is saying that New Jersey failed to comply with, would be the first step.

For example, in a conversation with Chris Vonderweidt, a low-ranking member of the ASMFC staff, Vonderweidt was sympathetic but said he thought the government so far had been generous in its consideration to anglers regarding this tog issue.

Fishing Reports Now also recently talked with a member of the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund at the Atlantic City Boat Show who was asked how the public was reacting to the SSFFF's efforts to spread the word at the show about the threatened fluke moratorium. He said anglers were upset, but he agreed, when asked, that if an angler was doing nothing to fight such measures, then the angler usually had no right to be upset. If this press release, the fluke situation or any such issues upset you, be sure you do something about it, such as supporting organizations like the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the SSFFF or others. First read about the organizations and make sure you believe in their efforts.

But do something. It's up to you--the angler--and nobody else.

On that note, the following is part of an e-mail sent by Tom Fote from the Jersey Coast Anglers Association on February 7 in reference to the press release:

To All,

It was not a close vote at the tautog board or policy board meeting. I tried to make the case but I was the only there doing that besides the state. I was the only recreational person that also said anything at the summer flounder meeting. If you have any questions about the ASMFC Meetings I attended give me a call (Fote's personal phone number and other info omitted by Fishing Reports Now--he can be reached through the JCAA).

Tom Fote

* * *

And here's the press release from the ASMFC:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 7, 2008
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER 202/289-6400

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has found the State of New Jersey out of compliance with the mandatory management measures contained in Addenda IV and V of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The Commission will be notifying the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior of its finding.  This action is taken pursuant to the provisions of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act of 1993.

The State of New Jersey has not implemented Addenda IV and V's mandatory harvest reductions, which require the state to implement a management program that will achieve a 25.6 percent reduction in exploitation by January 1, 2008.  This reduction is necessary to initiate rebuilding of the overfished tautog stock and to maintain effective cooperative management of the tautog resource. According to the 2006 peer-reviewed stock assessment, the tautog resource continues to be at low biomass levels. Since the mid-1980s tautog has undergone a substantial decrease in total and spawning stock biomass, with both currently at levels about one-third of their historical averages. 

To come back into compliance, New Jersey must implement management measures that reduce fishing exploitation by 25.6 percent. Upon notification by the Commission, the Secretary of Commerce has 30 days to review the recommendation and determine appropriate action, which may include a federal moratorium on fishing for tautog.

For more information, please contact Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, at (202) 289-6400.

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