Feds order blackfish season closed April 1

[Asbury Park Press]

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All fishing for blackfish in New Jersey will be prohibited by federal law effective April 1.James W. Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, notified Gov. Jon S. Corzine and the state Division of Fish and Wildlife that the Secretary of Commerce agrees with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that New Jersey is out of compliance with the blackfish management plan.New Jersey was notified last year that it must cut its blackfish harvest by 25.6 percent or be found out of compliance.New Jersey countered that it had already cut back its fishery more than enough to meet the new reductions. ASMFC biologists disagreed, claiming that the landings data from 2006 found New Jersey recreational fishermen landed about 700,000 pounds of blackfish while commercial fishermen took an additional 70,000 pounds.The ASMFC further contends that in 2006 northeast fishermen landed about 4.3 million pounds ot tautog, most of which were taken by recreational anglers.The Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey found that landings of blackfish in New Jersey were significant compared with that of other states, and that its landings more than tripled in 2006.Biologists determined that New Jersey's failure to implement management measures and its gross landings in 2006 will undermine the interstate conservation plan for the species. They did not explain how New Jersey could undermine the interstate conservation plan for the species when the species does not migrate north and south and the stocks are, in fact, restricted to the waters off New Jersey with only slight overlapping into New York and Delaware waters. The National Marine Fisheries Service conducted a review of the commission's claim that New Jersey was not in compliance. The review began Feb. 7, and was completed, and New Jersey found out of compliance and notified March 11. Balsiger said April 1 was selected for the closure date because it provided significant conservation benefits while allowing enough time to ensure that anglers, commercial fishermen and dealers are aware of the effective closure date. "It is my understanding that New Jersey must take action to implement management measures to achieve a 25.6 percent reduction in tautog exploitation as was required by Addendum IV and Addendum V to the tautog plan," he said.

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[fmtuna]

If you have not been following this because everything seems to be in the shadow of the fluke controversy, this is no surprise at all... and you should be able to fish for tog after April 1st.

Basically, it is just a leverage move to draw a line in the sand get NJ to get off their attitudes and lay out an accpetable size/bag limit plan by a certain date... which they have not done yet.... and which they most likely will now do...

[Ebbs]

Not many people are aware of the April 1'st end of season date. This is rediculous and like fmtuna said, flounder just overshadows tog. NMFS hard at work.

[fmtuna]

It is a done deal, and as ugly as it is.. here it is:

Jan 1 - Apr 30 - 4 fish at 14"
May 1 - Jul 15 - Closed
Jul 16 - Nov 15 - 1 fish at 14"
Nov 16 - Dec 31 - 6 fish at 14"