2007 STRIPED BASS BONUS PERMITS AVAILABLE ONLINE
(07/15) TRENTON -- Anglers interested in participating in
New Jersey's popular Striped Bass Bonus program can now get permits
faster and easier through a new service available on the Department
of Environmental Protection's Web site, DEP Commissioner Lisa P.
Jackson announced today.
"We've simplified our bonus-permitting process this season
so striped bass enthusiasts can spend more time on the water enjoying
what no other state on the East Coast offers: an opportunity to
catch and keep a third striper," Commissioner Jackson said.
For a $2 processing fee, an angler can complete an online application
and immediately print a bonus permit at home or from any computer
with Internet access.
Under current striped-bass recreational size limits set by the
New Jersey Legislature, anglers can harvest daily two fish at 28
inches or greater. With a bonus permit, anglers can keep daily a
third striper at 28 inches or greater.
After using the online permit, an angler can simply return to the
DEP's Web site to report the harvest of the bonus fish and then
become eligible to receive another bonus permit.
In addition to helping anglers get their bonus permits right away,
the electronic system provides real-time monitoring of the bonus
program quota, enabling the DEP's Fish and Wildlife biologists to
devote more time toward collecting and analyzing harvest data for
striped bass and other species.
During this season, party- and charter-boat bonus permits will
continue to be distributed by mail until the Web service can process
multiple permits. Individual anglers can also choose to get bonus
permits by mail.
In the Atlantic Ocean, up to three miles from shore, striped bass
can be caught year round; farther than three miles from shore, the
waters are closed to striped-bass fishing. In all other marine waters,
the striper season runs from March 1 to Dec. 31. In the Delaware
River and its tributaries - from the Route 1 bridge in Trenton to
the Salem River - the season is open from March 1-31 and from June
1 to Dec. 31.
Also, this year the Division of Fish and Wildlife will introduce
an online Striped Bass Bonus Program Volunteer Angler Survey.
For more details on New Jersey's striped bass bonus program, including
online and mail-in bonus permit applications, and harvest reporting,
visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/bonusbass.htm.
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