New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

For more information contact:
Bruce Freeman at 609-292-2083

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a public meeting on Wednesday, September 27, at Stockton College's A-Wing Lecture Hall at 6:30 p.m. in Pomona, Atlantic County. The meeting will focus on emergency actions taken by the Commission to close the spiny dogfish and reduce the black sea bass and scup (porgy) commercial fisheries in State waters in order to address concerns of declining population numbers.

The emergency closure for spiny dogfish became effective August 21, 2000 and will initially last for 180 days. The closure may be extended for two additional periods of one year each.

The emergency action to reduce the black sea bass commercial harvest will take effect during the fourth quarter of the 2000 fishery (October through December) and will reduce the catch limit to 2,000 pounds per trip. When 50 percent of the fourth quarter's quota is taken, the catch limit would then be reduced to 1,000 pounds per trip.

The emergency action to reduce the porgy commercial harvest will take effect during November and December and will reduce the catch rates to 500 pounds per trip. When 50 percent of the winter quota is taken (107,000 pounds), the catch rate would be reduced to 200 pounds per trip.

Copies of the Emergency Rules can be obtained by contacting ASMFC Administrative Assistant Vanessa Jones at 202-289-6400, or by visiting the ASMFC website at www.asmfc.org.

Anglers should note that the emergency rules apply only to the commercial fishery and will not impact the recreational fishery whatsoever.