The Fishing Line: Fishing cool, politics hot

The action is slowing down probably due more to the weather, boats being pulled and folks busy with the holidays. For those still going out, there are some stripers, tog and blues to be had.
While the action on the water is cooling, things are heating up on the political front.
NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife sent out this e-mail last week reminding saltwater anglers that the federal government’s National Saltwater Angler Registry Program requires most New Jersey saltwater anglers to register prior to fishing in 2010.
“You must register if you * Fish for or catch anadromous species (striped bass, shad, river herring) in state tidal waters and/or * Fish in Federal waters (more than 3 miles from shore).
You do not have to register if you* Are under 16 years of age, * Only fish on federally licensed party or charter boats, or * Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit.
Online and telephone registration will begin Jan. 1, countmyfish.noaa.gov or 888-674-7411. Registration is free in 2010.”
In case you missed last week’s news, Senator Van Drew’s bill for a free registry rather than a fee-based license was not voted on and the issue will again be raised in the legislature in February or so.
NOAA has announced a six-month ban on both the recreational and commercial harvest of red snapper in federal waters off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina beginning Jan. 4.
U.S. Congressman John L. Mica (FL-07) called the Administration’s decision an economic disaster for the region.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) filed a lawsuit in federal court and will seek an emergency injunction to prevent the ban from taking effect.
The red snapper complaint filed on behalf of the RFA charges NMFS with ignoring mandates from the federal fisheries law (Magnuson Stevens Act) to address inconsistencies within the data collection process.
In San Diego in October, Jane Lubchenco told tackle industry leaders that NOAA was actively responding to concerns expressed by recreational fishing leaders “that we don’t pay enough attention to recreational fishing,” summarizing her address by saying “We will be your champions.”
According to the report from the RFA, in her first nine months as NOAA administrator, Lubchenko (Pew Fellowship Award winner) “has championed the complete recreational closure of black sea bass, amberjack and red snapper.” Definitely not good news.
The RFA has already submitted a legal challenge in the Mid-Atlantic in response to NOAA’s the closure of the sea bass fishery.
On a happier note: Gift Ideas from www.findgift.com: check out Survival in a Sardine Can ($12.97), Sealskinz Gloves ($34.95), Drysticks, electric tubes provide radiant heat to dry out wet boots, shoes and/or gloves ($29.95), and DVDs of the series “The Deadliest Catch” $21.95.
All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com. Be sure to send your fish stories to cmiller@cmcherald.com. This column appears first online at capemaycountyherald.com