Bill Text: NJ AR32 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress to approve and President to sign into law "Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011."*
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-06-22 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR32 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR32-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DAVID P. RIBLE
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblywoman MARY PAT ANGELINI
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman NELSON T. ALBANO
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Milam and Diegnan
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to approve and President to sign into law "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution respectfully urging the United States Congress to approve, and the President to sign into law, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008."
Whereas, The implementation of summer flounder fishing quotas established pursuant to the federal Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (the Act) for the sole purpose of meeting arbitrary fishery stock rebuilding deadlines would cause significant economic hardship on the New Jersey tourism industry and those small businesses that rely on the State's recreational fishing; and
Whereas, It is imperative fishery management officials have flexibility in order to successfully manage the summer flounder population without threatening the food supply, livelihood, and recreation of those who are reliant on the fishery; and
Whereas, The stock of summer flounder has increased at a rate greater than the stock of striped bass and the increase in striped bass has been described by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as a rebuilding success; and
Whereas, The data on which the current summer flounder fishery management plan is based has been universally condemned by scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences; and
Whereas, Recreational fishermen, and the people dependent upon the industries they support, deserve regulations that are fair, balanced and based on sound scientific research while adhering to the principle of achieving the optimum yield for each fishery; and
Whereas, Legislation introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone, H.R. 5425, entitled the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008," now pending in the United States Congress, amends the Act and provides for a fair and balanced approach that protects the livelihood of New Jersey residents while simultaneously rebuilding summer flounder fisheries in an environmentally sound manner; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for this House to urge the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign into law, without delay the legislation introduced by Congressman Pallone; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United States Congress to approve, and the President sign into law H.R. 5425, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008," thereby extending the authorized time period for the rebuilding of certain fisheries.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, every member of the United States Congress elected from this State, the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution urges the United States Congress to approve and the President to sign into law H.R. 5425, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008." This legislation would amend the federal Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act by extending the authorized time period for the rebuilding of certain overstocked fisheries. Existing federal law allows the National Marine Fisheries Service no flexibility in managing the summer flounder population, even though it is widely acknowledged that fluke are abundant and their population is steadily increasing. The federal legislation sponsored by Congressman Pallone permits the summer flounder population to thrive, while protecting the New Jersey commercial and recreational fishermen who rely on fluke for their livelihood.
