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NEW JERSEYFish & Wildlife Digest


A SUMMARY OF RULES AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATIONA SUMMARY OF RULES AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATIONNew Jersey Department Of Environmental Protection - Division of Fish & Wildlife Vol. 13 No. 3 May 2000

Conserve WildlifeLicense Plates

Support Endangered andNongame Species

See page 16

Visit our website at:www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw

NOTICEStriped Bass Provisions

Included herein

WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT

Until the legislature votes and theprovisions become law

Check newspapers for announcements,or see NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw forupdates. For those without Internetaccess, the Marine Fisheries Trentontelephone menu will be updated regard-ing striped bass regulations. Call 609-292-2083. Select Option 1 for theBureau of Marine Fisheries (both times)to access the recreational finfish regula-tions. The process takes just over oneminute to reach the striped bass update.

Until that time, the 1999 law stating a 2 fish daily limit,

and 28” minimum size shallremain in effect.

20

00Marine Issue

WORKING SINCE 1892 FORWILDLIFE, PEOPLE & HABITAT

Bob McDowell, Director

In December 1999, legislation was approvedand signed into law granting the Division amuch-needed increase in hunting and fishinglicense fees. This increase will finally allow theDivision to restore programs that had been cur-tailed due to budgetary shortfalls as well as toimplement new programs. However, this fund-ing is restricted to programs related to inlandfish and wildlife.

The Division’s Marine FisheriesAdministration (Bureaus of Marine Fisheriesand Shellfisheries) is funded through an annualappropriation from the State’s general Treasury(New Jersey tax dollars) and from the FederalAid in Sportfish Restoration Program. The fed-eral funds received are a result of excise taxescharged on fishing equipment and motorboatfuel, and are distributed to the states basedupon a formula which includes land area of astate and the number of licensed anglers. SinceNew Jersey has only a freshwater fishinglicense, our estimated one million saltwateranglers are not counted in the funding formula.

The result has New Jersey considered a min-imum state for receiving these federal dollars.Most of the Sportfish Restoration funding goesto other states. It is ironic that the states ofNevada and New Mexico both receive moreSportfish Restoration funding for fisheriesmanagement than does New Jersey.

New Jersey’s marine recreational and com-mercial fishing industries are valued between$1.5 and $2.5 billion, annually. The MarineFisheries Administration is responsible formanagement programs that protect, conserve

Published by NJ Fish and WildlifeP.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400

www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw

State of New JerseyChristine Todd Whitman, Governor

Department of Environmental ProtectionRobert C. Shinn, Jr., Commissioner

Division of Fish and WildlifeRobert McDowell, Director

David Chanda, Assistant DirectorMartin McHugh, Assistant Director

Thomas McCloy, Marine Fisheries AdministratorJames Joseph, Chief, Bureau of Shell Fisheries

Rob Winkel, Chief, Law EnforcementCindy Kuenstner, Editor

Liberty Press1180 N. Mountain Springs Prkwy

Springville, UT 84663801-853-5353

The Division of Fish and Wildlife is a professional, environmental organi-zation dedicated to the protection, management and wise use of the

state’s fish and wildlife resources.

The Digest is available at coastal license agents and division offices.Articles and information may be reprinted with permission.

Subscriptions are not available.

Partial Funding for the Digest is provided by the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Program.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Councils

Marine Fisheries CouncilGilbert Ewing, Jr., Chair, Cape May

Dr. Robert B. Abel, ShrewsburyWilliam Barnish, Brigantine

Erling Berg, Cape MayDavid Botwinick, PenningtonJohn Cole, Pt. Pleasant Beach

Gary Dickerson, BrickDr. Patrick Donnelly, BrielleEdward Goldman, AbseconRichard Malinowski, Salem

Frances Puskas, Barnegat Light

Atlantic Coast Shellfish CouncilWilliam Barnish, Chair, Brigantine

Everett Giberson, ManahawkinWalter Hughes, Atlantick Highlands

Daniel L. Loper, ErmaStephen Potter, New Gretna

Delaware Bay Shellfish CouncilRichard Malinowski, Chair, Salem

Scott Bailey, MillvilleWilliam Bradway, Port Norris

Stephen Fleetwood, Port NorrisNancy Sittineri, Cape May Court House

Fish and Game CouncilJohn W. Bradway, Sr., Chair, Salem

W. Scott Ellis, TrentonFred Hough, Augusta

George Howard, PittstownJane Morton Galetto, MillvilleElwood Knight, Mount LaurelDr. John E. Kuser, Princeton

Bill Martin, FlemingtonMadelyn Picone, Cedar Knolls

Charles Suk, DenvilleRobert Von Suskil, Vineland

Endangered and Nongame SpeciesAdvisory Committee

Jane Mortin Galletto, Chair, MillvilleDr. James Applegate, Cranbury

Dr. Joanna Burger, SomersetMike Catania, Chester

Sally Dudley, MendhamRich Kane, BernardsvilleJanet Larson, Toms River

Rick Lathrop, Bound BrookDr. Dale Schweitzer, Port Norris

James Shissias, Titusville

NJ Division of Fish & WildlifeTelephone Directory

General Information 609-292-2965Commercial & Semi-Wild Preserves 609-984-6211Deer & Turkey Permit Hotline 609-292-9192

DEP ACTION LINE - 24 HOURS 609-292-7172877-WARNDEP

Exotic and Nongame Captivity Permits 609-292-9591Falconry Permit Information 908-735-8793Family Fishing License 609-292-2965Hunter Education 877-2HUNTNJPheasant & Quail Stocking Information 609-292-1599

Operation Game Thief (Incl. Marine Violations)800-222-0456Rifle Permit Information 609-984-1400Outstanding Deer & Gobbler Programs 609-292-9450Trout Stocking Hotline 609-633-6765Wildlife Conservation Corps Information 609-633-3616Wildlife Damage Control 908-735-8793

TRENTON OFFICE501 East State St., Station Plaza 5, 3rd FloorP.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400Internet: www.state.nj.us/dep/fgwEndangered & Nongame Species 609-292-9400Freshwater Fisheries 609-292-1599Land Management 609-292-1599Law Enforcement 609-292-9430Marine Fisheries 609-292-2083Mosquito Control 609-292-3649Shellfisheries 609-984-5546Wildlife Education 609-292-9450Wildlife Management 609-292-6685Nacote Creek Research StationP.O. Box 418, Route 9, Milepost 51Port Republic, NJ 08241Marine Fisheries 609-748-2020Marine Education 609-748-2031Shellfisheries 609-748-2040Marine Law Enforcement 609-748-2050Wildlife Management 609-748-2063Bivalve Shellfish OfficeP.O. Box 432, Port Norris, NJ 08349 856-785-0730ShellfisheriesShellfish Dealership InformationNJ Consumer Health ServiceDept. of HealthP.O. Box 369 609-588-3123Trenton, NJ 08625Shellfish Water ClassificationNJ Div. of Watershed Mgt.P.O. Box 405, Stoney Hill Road 609-748-2000Leeds Point, NJ 08220Northern RegionClinton WMA, 26 Route 173 WHampton, NJ 08827Law Enforcement (Bergen, Essex, Hudson,

Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset,Sussex, Union and Warren Counties) 908-735-8240

Endangered and Nongame Species 908-735-8975Wildlife Damage Control 908-735-8793Wildlife Management 908-735-7040Lebanon Fisheries LabFreshwater Fisheries 908-236-2118Pequest Trout Hatchery, and NaturalResource Education Center605 Pequest Rd. 908-637-4125Oxford, NJ 07863Central RegionAssunpink WMA386 Clarksburg-Robbinsville Road, Robbinsville, NJ 08691Law Enforcement (Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex,Monmouth, and Ocean Counties) 609-259-2120Wildlife Damage Control 609-259-7955Land Management 609-259-2132Southern RegionWinslow WMA220 Blue Anchor Road, Sicklerville, NJ 08081Information 856-629-0090Law Enforcement (Atlantic, Camden,Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester andSalem Counties) 856-629-0555

Freshwater Fisheries 856-629-4950Land Management 856-629-5006Wildlife Damage Control 856-629-7224Wildlife Education 856-629-7214

Where to Write UsNew Jersey Division of Fish & WildlifeP.O. Box 400 • Trenton, NJ 08625-0400Internet: www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw

2 NEW JERSEY Fish & Wildlife DIGEST

Seeking the Best MarineFisheries Information

continued on page 5



On the Cover: Division personnel Heather Corbett and Russ Allen collecting scales from a striped bass tagging operation in the Delaware Bay.

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NEW JERSEY Fish & Wildlife DIGEST 5

Motor Boat Regulationsfor information write:

Division of Motor VehiclesP.O. Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08625-0403

or contact your local DMV office for a boat “NJ” number

Hull numbers are issued by State Police after their inspection.

State Police Troop “F”Marine Law Enforcement StationsBivalve 856-785-1330North Wildwood 609-522-0393Atlantic City 609-441-3586Burlington 609-387-1221Ocean 609-296-5807Point Pleasant 732-899-5050Monmouth Cty. Det. 732-842-5171Lake Hopatcong 973-663-3400Newark Bay 973-578-8173

and enhance the resources that support thesefish. The Administration plays an active role inthe development, implementation and enforce-ment of coastwide fishery management plansof the Mid-Atlantic Fishery ManagementCouncil and the Atlantic States MarineFisheries Commission.

The Administration has a fine list of accom-plishments (including marine habitat protectionand enhancement; fish and shellfish resourcesurveys) despite a relatively low level of fund-ing. Yet we recognize there is a lot that remainsto be done.

Consider that for the development of soundmanagement strategies, data collection andanalysis requirements can be enormous proj-ects. One only needs to attend a public hearingto realize there is a demand for more thoroughinformation to justify the numerous fisherymanagement programs. The Division complete-ly supports the philosophy of improving thequantity and quality of marine fisheries infor-mation. Unfortunately, the only way to get bet-ter scientific information upon which to basefishery management decisions is to substantial-ly increase the level of funding. Marine fish-eries funding has remained essentiallyunchanged since 1995 while the number offishery management plans and requirementshas increased exponentially.

If we are to provide the best informationpossible to make management decisions, wemust acquire a level of funding for marine fish-eries management proportional to the value ofour marine fisheries resources. As the new mil-lennium begins, the challenge to us all is howbest to accomplish this initiative.

Seeking the Best Marine Fisheries Informationcontinued from page 2

by Bruce HalgrenSupervising Biologist

Regulatory changes for the 2000 fishing season include important recreational speciessuch as striped bass, summer flounder, winter flounder and scup.

STRIPED BASS: Throughout the 1999 fishing season, the daily catch or posses-sion limit for recreational anglers was two fish of at least 28 inches in length. AddendumIV to Amendment 5 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Striped Bass, which was adopted inOctober 1999, called for a 14% reduction in the harvest of striped bass age 8 or older. Anumber of management options were developed in order to comply with the requirementsof the FMP. Following several public hearings, the management option supported by theState’s recreational fishermen were one striped bass greater than or equal to 24 inches yetless than 28 inches in addition to one striped bass 28 inches or greater as the daily posses-sion limit for New Jersey marine waters. This management option was approved by theASMFC and later introduced in the State Legislature. The Division of Fish and Wildlifeanticipates the approval of this management option for the 2000 recreational fishing sea-son. At press time, statutory changes had not been finalized. Until that time, the 1999 rulesremain in effect. See the striped bass NOTICE on the cover for more details and how tolearn about the updated regulation when it is in effect.

The New Jersey striped bass bonus fish program which allows participants one addition-al striped bass 28 inches or greater per day, with an annual quota of 225,000 pounds willlikely remain unchanged for 2000. Existing striped bass seasonal closures will remain thesame for 2000.

For an in-depth explanation of New Jersey’s striped bass management over the past 15years, see the article, “Striped Bass Management: “Looking Back - Looking Ahead”, onpage 6 in this Digest.

SUMMER FLOUNDER (FLUKE): Recreational anglers will be pleased to knowthat the open recreational summer flounder fishing season has been extended in 2000 fromMay 15 through October 11 (1999 season) to May 6 through October 20. The minimumlegal size limit in 2000 will remain at 151/2”, with a possession limit of eight summerflounder.

Each winter the ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)meet to review the previous year’s summer flounder coastal landings and the updatedstock assessment to develop management measures for the coming year. In 2000, a 41 per-cent reduction, by number, from 1998 landings is required. The ASMFC has determinedthat a liberalized recreational summer flounder season together with a 151/2” minimumlegal size limit and a possession limit of eight fish will maintain New Jersey’s compliance

REGULATORY UPDATE

continued on page 6

2 FREE FRESH WATER FISHING DAYSSaturday and Sunday,

June 3 & 4, 2000

On these two days, anyone may fish New Jersey’s public fresh waterswithout a license or a trout stamp.

However, all other regulations,including size and daily catchlimits, remain in effect.

By Tom Baum, Principal Fisheries Biologist

The Atlantic striped bass (Morone sax-atilis) has been for centuries one of the mostimportant coastal species from Maine toNorth Carolina, supporting historically valu-able commercial and recreational fisheries.The popularity of this species to fishermen,the complex nature of its seasonal distri-bution, and decline in harvest with poorrecruitment during the 1970’s stimu-lated interest in the developmentof a cooperative interstate fish-eries management plan. In1981, the Atlantic StatesMarine FisheriesCommission (ASMFC)developed and adopted theInterstate Fisheries ManagementPlan (Plan) for Striped Bass of theAtlantic Coast from Maine to NorthCarolina. Since then there have been fiveamendments to the Plan, with nine addendato the most recent two amendments, totaling14 changes to the Plan over 18 years.

Management strategies for the coastalstriped bass population during the past fifteenyears had to adapt first to regulating a deplet-ed, overfished stock during the mid 1980’s;next to a recovering population during theearly 1990’s; then to a stock declaredrestored in 1995. Amendment #3 called forsize regulations to protect the 1982 yearclass, which was the first modest size groupsince the previous decade. The objective wasto increase size limits to allow the majority ofthe females from the 1982 year class anopportunity to spawn at least once. Thiswould remain in effect until there were threeconsecutive successful spawns of theChesapeake Bay stock.

In 1989, a very successful spawn of theChesapeake stock occurred, which promptedthe Management Board to adopt Amendment#4. This amendment was designed to controlthe reopening of the fishery, which was in theinitial stages of stock recovery. This adaptivemanagement strategy allowed the ASMFC tomake revisions to the management programin response to changing circumstances.

There were five addenda to Amendment#4 that were adopted by ASMFC from 1991through 1994. By the mid 1990’s, manage-ment under Amendment #4 became cumber-some due to the vagueness of many of itsprincipal points.

The ASMFC declared that the ChesapeakeBay stocks of Atlantic striped bass, whichsupports the greatest portion of the coastal

stock, was recovered as of January 1995.Amendment #5, adopted in March 1995, wasdesigned to regulate the 1995 – 1996 fish-eries for striped bass. Since then, eachOctober, the ASMFC’s Striped BassManagement Board has passed an addendumto this Amendment, setting guidelines for thefollowing year’s fishery.

Amendment #5 completely replaced theoriginal Plan and all subsequent

amendments and addenda. The goalof Amendment #5 is to perpetu-

ate, through cooperative inter-state fishery management,

migratory stocks ofAtlantic striped bass

so as to allow aharvest consistent

with the long-termmaintenance of their

essential habitat. Thebasic pattern of

Amendment #5 is to adopt atarget fishing mortality rate, and

then to establish regulatory pro-grams for the various fisheries that

will meet this target.The preferred alternative regime under this

amendment is a minimum size limit of 20inches in producer areas and 28 inches alongthe coast; a creel limit of one fish per day inproducer areas and two fish per day incoastal fisheries. Fishing seasons are variablebetween producer areas and 365 days incoastal areas.

Since 1995, coastal striped bass regulationshave remained at “status quo” (or two fish >28 inches). In October 1999, the ASMFC Striped Bass Management Boardapproved Addendum IV to Amendment #5. This addendum called for a 14% reduc-tion in the harvest of striped bass age 8 andolder.

The benchmark for measuring the requiredreductions is a two-fish daily limit and 28” minimum size. The reason forthis measure was the fishing mortality ratefrom the 1998 fisheries exceeded the targetrate set by the guidelines in Amendment #5. It also instructs the Board to proceed with thepreparation of a new amendment to the Planand if the amendment is not approved for2001, states will be required in 2001 toimplement additional reductions of the har-vest on age 8 and older striped bass.

On February 7, 2000 representatives fromNew Jersey presented three managementoptions to the ASMFC Striped BassManagement Board, of which two wereapproved. During the third week of February2000, three public meetings were held inNew Jersey (Rochelle Park, Toms River andCape May Court House) in order to gather


with the ASMFC summer flounder fisherymanagement plan while allowing NewJersey’s fishermen to enjoy increased recre-ational fishing days.

WINTER FLOUNDER: For 2000, therecreational minimum size limit for winterflounder has increased from 10” to 101/2”.A further increase from 101/2” to 11” willbecome effective January 1, 2001. Thisstep-wise increase in the winter floundersize limit will lessen the immediate impactof an anticipated ASMFC required sizelimit increase and at the same time main-tains New Jersey’s compliance with theASMFC fishery management plan for win-ter flounder. New Jersey anglers can contin-ue to enjoy a season that extends fromMarch 1 through May 31 and September 15through December 31 with no winter floun-der possession limit.

SCUP (PORGY): Although the legalminimum size for scup will remain at 7” in2000, recreational anglers should takenotice that there will be a daily possessionlimit of 50 scup per angler. Previously,there had been no daily possession limit onscup for recreational anglers.During the winter meeting of the ASMFCand the MAFMC, it was determined thatthe 1999 coastwide scup recreational quotawas slightly exceeded. The 50 fish per daypossession limit for recreational scup fish-ermen is designed to prevent an overage ofthe 2000 coastwide scup recreational quota.

Additional commercial regulations havebeen implemented for the blue crab, sum-mer flounder, Atlantic menhaden, Americanshad, scup and other commercial fisheries,and are summarized in the Division’s 2000Commercial Regulations publication, foundat the Division’s Website:www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw.

Regulatory Updatecontinued from page 5

Striped Bass Management:Looking Back - Looking Ahead

continued on page 16

NJ Fish and Wildlife personnel tagging

striped bass during January sampling of

New Jersey’s ocean trawl survey.

SP

ORT FISH

RE

ST O R ATION


by Paul G. Scarlett, Principal FisheriesBiologist,Bureau of Marine Fisheries

Common Name: Winter Flounder,also called Flounder, Blackback, BlackFlounder, Georges Bank Flounder, LemonSole, Sole, Flatfish, Rough Flounder andMud Dab.

Scientific Name: Pleuronectes ameri-canus

Range: Winter flounder live in estuarineand coastal waters from Labrador to Georgia.They are most common between Nova Scotiaand New Jersey. Locally, winter flounder aremost abundant in New Jersey’s northern andcentral estuarine and nearshore coastal areaswith numbers diminishing south of BarnegatBay. Good populations of winter floundercan be found in Raritan Bay, Sandy HookBay, Navesink River, Shark River,Manasquan River and parts of the BarnegatBay estuarine system.

Size: Winter flounder can grow to sizesof more than 25 inches and weigh more than8 pounds. The New Jersey sport fish staterecord was landed in 1992 and weighed 5pounds, 11 ounces. Females grow faster thanmales and juvenile winter flounder can reacha length of about 6 inches during their firstyear. Twelve inch winter flounder are gener-ally 3 years old and may weigh slightly morethan a pound. In New Jersey, few winterflounder live past the age of 10.

Predators, Food and Feeding:Natural predators of winter flounder includesharks, oyster toadfish, summer flounder,striped bass, monkfish and spiny dogfish.When feeding, a winter flounder will liemotionless, partly concealed on the bottom,with its head raised off the bottom, braced by

the dorsal fin. When prey is sighted, the fishremains motionless, pointing toward the prey,then lunges forward and downward to captureit. This semi-hidden feeding behavior enablesthe fish to effectively capture prey while at thesame time providing a hiding mechanism toprotect the winter flounder from its predators.Winter flounder are sight feeders and feed dur-ing daylight. Throughout their range, winterflounder eat polycheate worms, amphipod andisopod crustaceans, clam siphon tips and plantmaterial. They are omnivorous and oppor-tunistic, eating whatever is available.

Migration: In New Jersey, adult winterflounder usually inhabitnearshore coastal andestuarine waters fromOctober through May.During the summer, theymigrate just off the beachto several miles offshore.In the fall, most winterflounder return to thesame estuary they inhabit-ed the previous winter.Juveniles spend their first year in estuarieswhere they were spawned, after which theyjoin the adult migration.

Habitat: Estuaries and nearshore ocean-ic water habitats are critically important tothe life cycle of winter flounder. These areasare used as wintering, summering andspawning grounds by adults and as nurseryareas by juveniles. Winter flounder prefersand or mud-sand mixture bottoms, but canbe found in creeks and sea grass beds withmuddy or silty substrates.

Spawning: In New Jersey, winterflounder spawn in estuaries from February toApril at temperatures of 1oC to 10oC andsalinities ranging from 10 to 35 parts per

thousand. Almost all winter flounder aresexually mature by 3 years of age. Femalescan release as many as three million eggs,with egg numbers directly related to fish size.When hatched, winter flounder larvae areabout one-tenth of an inch long. Larvae arestructurally similar to those of other fishspecies, with one eye on each side of thehead. By the time the larvae reach a size ofabout one-half inch, the left eye has migratedto the right side of the body and the fishassume a true flatfish, bottom-associatedexistence.

Importance: Winter flounder are ahighly prized food fish sought by both com-mercial and recreational anglers. The majori-ty of landings from commercial fisheries are

taken by ottertrawl in thespring and fall.Commercialfishermen usual-ly land between200,000 and300,000 pounds of winter floun-der in NewJersey per year.

These fish are also a mainstay of the inshorespring and fall sport fishery along theAtlantic coast. During the last 10 years, NewJersey’s sport fishermen have harvested over550,000 winter flounder per year. In termsof numbers, New Jersey annually ranks at ornear the top of per state winter flounder har-vest among all East coast states.

Fishing Techniques: Winter floun-der sport fishing occurs mainly within estu-arine bays and rivers, usually from ananchored boat or the bank. A commonfishing outfit would include a six foot lightto medium action rod and a conventional orspinning reel filled with 6 to 10 pound test.Most freshwater fishing outfits also workwell for winter flounder. Winter floundercan be taken on small (#10) long shankedhooks baited with clams, mussels or blood-worms. Whole kernel canned corn workswell as bait and can also be used as chum,along with rice and crushed mussels.Stirring up the bottom under an anchoredboat with heavy weights, an oar, or even aplunger fastened to a long pole will attractfish. Hooks can be fished singly, in a mul-tiple hook rig or with spreaders, withsinkers heavy enough to hold bottom.Winter flounder can provide lively action,especially on light tackle. Recreational har-vest in New Jersey is controlled by a seasonand size limit. During 2000, the winterflounder fishing season is March 1 through

Winter Flounder - A Profile


PORTIONS OF THIS DIGEST AREAVAILABLE IN ENLARGED FORMAT FOR

THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.WRITE TO:

NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF FISH &WILDLIFE, DIGEST EDITOR, PO BOX 400

TRENTON, NJ 08625-0400


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FilletingThe filleting at sea of all fish with a size

limit is prohibited. Party boats may fillet fishat sea if they obtain a Special Fillet Permit.Applications may be obtained from theMarine Fisheries Administration.Black Sea Bass

The minimum size limit for black sea bassis 10 inches measured along the midline fromthe snout to the end of the central portion ofthe tail, not to include the tail filaments.There is no possession limit and there is noclosed season.Bluefish

Bluefish taken with hook and line may besold only from June 16 through August 7and only if the harvester is in possession of avalid commercial bluefish permit issued inhis or her name by the National MarineFisheries Service (978/281-9370). Any har-vester in possession of a valid commercialbluefish permit may possess more than 10bluefish per day but only during the commer-cial season of June 16 through August 7.Shark

The minimum size limit for any species ofshark, except dogfish (see note below) is 48inches total length. Sharks - Prohibited Speciesbasking shark sand tiger sharkwhale shark bigeye sand tiger sharkwhite shark

The fins may not be removed from ashark, except after fishing has ceased andsuch shark has been landed. A shark may beeviscerated and the head removed prior tolanding, provided that the alternate length asmeasured from the origin of the first dorsalfin to the pre-caudal pit (located just forward

of the origin of the upper lobe of the tail fin)is not less than 23 inches in length. The pos-session limit is 2 shark per vessel.

Note: To differentiate sharks from dogfish –the smooth dogfish has flat, tiny teeth; thespiny dogfish has strong, dorsal spines, short-er than, and in front of, the dorsal fin. Neitheris present in sharks.Striped Bass (includes Hybrid Striped Bass)

The minimum size limits for striped bassand hybrid striped bass in all marine watersof the state is 28 inches. The possessionlimit in all marine waters is two fish, eitherstriped bass or hybrid striped bass, NOT ofeach.

It is illegal to take, catch or kill any stripedbass from or in any marine waters of thisstate, by means of a net of any description, orby any methods other than angling with ahook and line or by spear fishing.

It is illegal to possess any striped bass, orparts of a striped bass from which the headand / or tail has been removed (other thanwhile in preparation or being served as food),which is less than the legal minimum size.

Harvest and possession of striped bassfrom federal waters (outside 3 miles) is pro-hibited.

Sale of striped bass in N.J. is prohibited.Closed seasons:Jan. 1 - Feb. 28 - All waters except theAtlantic Ocean from 0-3 miles offshore.April 1 - May 31 - Delaware River & Bayand their tributaries from the upstream side ofthe U.S. Route 1 bridge downstream to andincluding the Salem River and its tributaries.Striped Bass Bonus Fish ProgramFishermen may possess one (1) additionalstriped bass per day under the Striped BassBonus Fish Program subject to the following:

Resource InformationAnyone who takes fisheries resources

may be required to provide information onthe species, number, weight or other infor-mation pertinent to management ofresources.Methods of Fishing

No person shall take, catch, kill orattempt to take, catch or kill any fish withinthe marine waters of the State by any meansexcept in the manner commonly known asangling with hand line or rod and lineunless specifically provided for by statute orregulation.Spear Fishing

Spear fishing can be conducted by meansof a spear, harpoon or other missile whilecompletely submerged in the marine watersof the state for any species, except lobster.

Persons who fish with a spear for specieswith size limits are reminded that it is theirresponsibility to ensure the fish meets theminimum size limits before being killed orinjured.Fish Releasing

All fish which are undersize, not intendedfor eating or not to be kept for mounting,educational or scientific purposes should bereleased immediately to the wild. Thisshould be done GENTLY and QUICKLY.Here are some specific suggestions:* For small fish, grasp it with wet hands

around the “neck” from below, closingthe gill covers. Do NOT get fingers underthe gill covers into the gill area. Graspthe hook at its bend, either with fingers orpliers, and gently shake it loose. If unsuc-cessful cut the hook or leader as short aspossible with pliers. It is best to do this inor over the water. If not possible, do notlet fish flop on the deck.

* For large fish, do not attempt to handle it.Reach out over the water and cut hook orleader as short as possible.

* Use only plain hooks, not stainless, sothey will rust away quickly in the fish’smouth.

* To measure fish for legal size, have ameasuring device or template of thatlength marked out on a flat surface forquick access.

2000 Summary of Marine Fish & Shellfish RegulationsThis is not the full law. Consult the Division of Fish and Wildlife for further details.

All persons are reminded that statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities.

FINFISH



1. The fisherman must apply for and receive afish possession card in advance of attemptingto take a bonus fish.2. The minimum size limit for a striped basstaken under the bonus program is 28 inches.3. Fisherman must comply with all aspects ofthe regulations. A guide to these regulations isprovided with the fish possession cards.4. Two fish possession cards are issued toeach applicant. Only one card is good per day.Cards are valid only during the year issued.The pink card is good for the 2000 seasononly.5. Participants wishing to continue in the pro-gram in future years can do so by mailing thefishing logs enclosed with their cards.

Additional cards will be provided uponchecking fish at one of the 56 designatedcheck stations or by mailing the completedcard to the Division. For a list of Striped BassBonus Program Check Stations, call 609-748-2020.Summer Flounder (Fluke)

The possession and minimum size limit forsummer flounder is 8 fish at 15 1/2 inchesand an open season from May 6 to October20.Tautog (BlackFish)

The minimum size limit for tautog is 14inches. There is a 1 fish possession limit dur-ing the period of June 1 through October 9and a 10 fish possession limit during the peri-od of October 10 through May 31.Weakfish

The possession and minimum size limit forweakfish is 14 fish, at least 14 inches inlength.Winter Flounder

The minimum size limit for winter flounderis 101/2”, increasing to 11” as of January 1,2001. For winter flounder the open season isMarch 1 - May 31 and September 15 -December 31. Additional Marine Fishing Seasons

See pages 17 and 18 for the clip out refer-ence charts applicable to both New JerseyState and Federal waters.Prohibited Species

It is illegal to take, possess, land, purchase,or sell any of the following species:Atlantic SturgeonBasking SharkBigeye Sand Tiger SharkSand Tiger SharkShortnosed SturgeonWhale SharkWhite Shark

It is illegal to intentionally molest, kill orpossess sea turtles or marine mammals, orto possess any part thereof.

No license is required for the taking ofbaitfish for personal use with the followinggear:1. Dip nets 24” in diameter or less for thetaking of herring for live bait.2. Bait seines 50 feet long or less.3. Cast nets 20 feet in diameter or less.4. Lift or umbrella nets four feet square orless.5. Not more than five (5) killipots for tak-ing killifish for bait.6. Not more than two miniature fykes orpots for the taking of killifish or eels forbait.

Fish taken in this manner may not besold or used for barter unless a commercialbait net license is in possession.

No person shall take more than 35alewife or blueback herring in aggregateper day.

No person shall take or attempt to takefish by any means from the Deal Lakeflume, Lake Takanasse spillway or WreckPond spillway on any Monday, Wednesdayor Friday during the months of April andMay.

American LobsterThe legal possession size of whole lob-

sters, measured from the rear of the eyesocket along a line parallel to the centerline of the body shell to the rear of the bodyshell, shall be not less than 3 1/4 inchesLobster parts may not be possessed at seaor landed.

The possession limit is 6 lobsters per per-son. No person shall possess any lobsterwith eggs attached or from which eggs havebeen removed or any female lobster with a

v-notched tail, as illustrated above.The use of spears, gigs, gaffs or other

penetrating devices as a method of capturefor lobsters is prohibited. A license isrequired for the use of pots or traps for thecapture of lobsters.Crabs1. Crabs may be taken recreationally withhand lines, manually operated collapsibletraps or scoop nets without a license. Anon-commercial crab pot license is requiredfor the use of not more than two (2) non-collapsible Chesapeake-style crab pots (seeillustration on page 23) or two (2) trot linesto harvest crabs. See page 23 for the non-commercial crab pot license application orstop by coastal bait and tackle shops. Thepossession limit of one (1) bushel per per-son per day and the prohibition of saleapplies under this license.2. It is illegal to harvest or possess morethan one bushel of crabs per day per personor offer for sale any crabs without having inyour possession a valid commercial crab-bing license.3. Minimum size of crabs that may be har-vested (measured from point to point ofshell) are as follows:a. Peeler or shedder crab - 3 inchesb. Soft crab - 3 1/2 inchc. Hard crab - 4 3/4 inches (for sale)d. Hard crab - 4 1/2 inches (possession)

4. All female crabs with eggs attached andall undersized crabs shall be returned to thewater immediately.5. Recreational trot lines shall not exceed150 feet in length with a maximum of 25baits.6. All pots and trot lines shall be markedwith the identification number of the owner.7. All crab pots must be tended at leastonce every 72 hours.8. No floating line may be used on any crabpot or crab pot buoy.9. No crab pot shall be placed in any areathat would obstruct or impede navigation orin any creek less than 50 feet wide.10. Only the owner, his agent or a lawenforcement officer may raise or removecontents of a legally set fishing device.11. Crabs taken with a bait seine may beretained for personal use only if the fisher-

BAIT FISH

CRUSTACEANS

SEA TURTLES & MARINE MAMMALS1999 Summary of Marine Fish andShellfish Regulationscontinued from page 11



man possesses a bait net license, and maynot be bartered or sold unless the fishermanpossesses a commercial crab license.12. No crabs may be harvested from theNewark Bay Complex as described underthe section on Health Advisories, page 28.13. Crab Pot/Trot Line seasons:Delaware Bay and tributaries - April 16 toDec. 14; all other waters - Mar 15 to Nov30. The following waters are closed to theuse of crab pots and trot lines: CumberlandCo: Cohansey River and creeks namedBack, Cedar, Nantuxent, Fortesque,Oranoken, and Dividing; Cape May Co:West and Bidwell Creeks and the CapeMay Canal; Atlantic Co: Hammock Cove(Dry Bay); Ocean Co.: on East shore ofBarnegat Bay, that area of Sedge IslandsWMA enclosed by a line drawn from thenorthern bank of Fishing Creek on IslandBeach State Park to the northern tip of theSedge Island (Hensler Island), then southfrom point to point along the western sideof the Sedge Islands WMA and terminatingon the most southwestern point of IslandBeach State Park.14. The Division will issue a non-commer-cial crab dredge license for the harvest ofnot more that one bushel of crabs duringthe crab dredge season. Crabs so taken maynot be sold or offered for barter. There is afee of $15.00 for this non-commercial crabdredge license. Call the Marine FisheriesAdministration at 609/748-2040.

NOTICE: All non-collapsible Chesapeake-style crab pots (see illustration on page 23)must be constructed to include a biodegrad-able panel designed to create an opening toallow crabs and other organisms to escapeif the pot is lost or abandoned. All non-col-lapsible Chesapeake-style crab pots set inany man-made lagoon or any water bodyless than 150 feet wide must also include aturtle excluder device inside all potentrance funnels.

The harvest of horseshoe crabs is prohibitedwithout a permit. Applications are availablefrom the Marine Fisheries Administration.

1. All persons must be licensed to partici-pate in the harvest of hard clams, softclams, surf clams and oysters.2. It is illegal to harvest clams, oysters andmussels from condemned waters, even forbait purposes. It is also illegal to harvestsurf clams from beaches adjacent to waterclassified as condemned.Water classification charts are availablefrom license agents, any state shellfishoffice or Marine Police Station. Charts areupdated annually.3. Shellfish harvesting is prohibited beforesunrise, after sunset and on Sundays.4. Harvesting of clams, oysters and musselson public grounds is restricted to the use ofhand implements. 5. It is illegal to harvest shellfish fromleased grounds. These grounds are delin-eated by stakes or buoys set by the leaseholder. Charts of the leases may be exam-ined at the Nacote Creek or BivalveShellfish Offices during regular businesshours.Hard Clams1. No person shall harvest more than 150clams per day unless such person is a hold-er of a commercial clam license. Only certi-fied shellfish dealers may purchase clamsfrom commercial harvesters. All personsselling clams commercially must tag eachcontainer listing date of harvest, name andaddress of the harvester and the watersfrom which the shellfish were harvested.2. A non-resident recreational license isvalid only during the months of June, July,August and September. 3. Anyone engaged in any clamming activi-ty with someone holding a commercialclam license must also possess their owncommercial clam license.4. It is illegal to dredge clams. Hand imple-ments are the only legal harvest methods.5. The minimum size of hard clams thatmay be harvested is 1-1/2 inches in length.Clams less than 1-1/2 inches in length mustbe immediately returned to the bottom fromwhich they were taken.6. It is illegal to harvest shellfish on Sundayexcept on the seasonal waters of theNavesink River between November 1 andApril 30.Oysters1. Oysters may be sold only to certifieddealers.2. It is illegal to dredge oysters on publicgrounds. All harvesting on public grounds

is restricted to the use of hand implements.3. Shells taken in the process of harvestingoysters must be culled from the live oystersand returned immediately to the area fromwhere they were taken.4. Specific seasons and regulations exist foroyster beds in Great Bay, Delaware Bay,the Mullica, Great Egg Harbor andTuckahoe rivers. Check with appropriateshellfish offices for detailed regulations.5. One license covers recreational and com-mercial oystering.

New JerseyDivision of Fish & Wildlife

– Mission –To protect and manage the

state’s fish and wildlife to maxi-mize their long-term biological,recreational and economic val-

ues for all New Jerseyans.

– Goals –1. To maintain New Jersey’s

rich variety of fish andwildlife species at stable,healthy levels and to protectand enhance the many habi-tats on which they depend.

2. To educate New Jerseyans onthe values and needs of ourfish and wildlife and to fos-ter a positivehuman/wildlife co-exis-tence.

3. To maximize the recreation-al and commercial use ofNew Jersey’s fish andwildlife for both presentand future generations.

Coastal Workshop

For Teachers NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife

hosts a weekend coastal workshopannually in May at the Wetlands Institute

In Stone Harbor.

Openings for this year may still be available. Or call to be placed on the

mailing list for future workshops:

856-629-7214

1999 Summary of Marine Fish andShellfish Regulationscontinued from page 12

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New Jersey’s Reef Program

by John McClain, Principal Fisheries Biologist Barry Preim, Fisheries Technician

Recreational regulations were adoptedfor sharks for the first time in 1999. Theseregulations include a 48 inch total lengthlimit on all sharks; a two shark per vesselpossession limit and a prohibition on thetaking, possession, landing or sale of anybasking shark, whale shark, white shark orsand tiger shark. These regulations do notapply to smooth or spiny dogfish.

The N.J. Marine Fisheries Council and the Department of EnvironmentalProtection approved these regulations to be compatible with the previously adoptedfederal management plan for Atlanticsharks to protect and enhance shark popula-tions. Because sharks and dogfish are fre-quently taken incidentally while fishing forother species, anglers don’t always knowwhat shark species they may have on theend of their line.

The following key to protected sharksand other commonly caught sharks hasbeen taken, with the kind and appreciatedpermission, from the “Anglers” Guide toSharks of the Northwestern United States’published by the United States Departmentof Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service,Circular 179.

It is very important that anglers properly identify their shark catch for mul-tiple reasons. One, of course, is so theangler doesn’t risk a significant fine for amistake. Another is to recognize that pro-tected species are listed based on concernsabout the apparent decline in populationlevels, and care must be taken not to harmthe animal as you bring it to the boat forrelease.

Finally, all sharks, with the exceptionof the two species of dogfish, can inflictvery serious bite injuries. Some sharks,such as the sandbar shark and sand tigershark, come into our bays to give birth totheir young. The young “pups” may beabout the same size as the commonlycaught dogfish, but have sharp teeth andcan inflict a nasty bite. One additional wordof warning for anglers: the spines of a spinydogfish, located just in front of both dorsalfins, can also inflict a wound which mustbe cleaned thoroughly to prevent infection.


Conserve Wildlife License PlatesSupport Nongame and Endangered SpeciesSince 1972 the Endangered and Nongame species

Program (ENSP) has worked to protect and restore NewJersey’s endangered and threatened wildlife. You can helpthe program through the Income Tax Check-off and/orthrough the Conserve Wildlife license plate.These attractive $50 license plates let everyone know you believe in conservation, and80% of your tax deductible payment goes directly to the ENSP. Personalized WildlifePlates are also available for $100.Previously available by mail only, motorist may now purchase the plates in person atDMV offices regardless of their current expiration date. Plates can also be purchasedfrom car dealers when buying or leasing a new car.

public input as to which option seemedagreeable. The options are designed to: 1)reduce the harvest of age 8 and older stripedbass by 14% or more in the year 2000 and2) better utilize NJ’s striped bass resource inboth its coastal and producer waters whilecomplying with the mandatory 14% reduc-tion.

The two options were very similar: Option1 proposes one fish per day greater than orequal to 24 inches but less than 28 inches inaddition to one fish 28 inches or greater forNJ marine waters, with the Bonus FishProgram having one fish 28 inches or greaterper day and a 225,000 pound quota. Option2 proposes one fish greater than or equal to24 inches but less than 30 inches in additionto one fish 30 inches or greater for NJmarine waters, with the bonus fish programhaving one fish 30 inches or greater per dayand a 225,000 pound quota.

According to Amendment #5, if a statewished to lower its coastal size limit, a spec-ified reduction is required. These reductions(lower size limit and the 14% reductionrequired by Addendum IV) are satisfied byhaving one fish 28 inches or greater inlength. There are pluses and minuses of theadaptive management strategies of plans likethose for striped bass and summer flounder.On the negative side, management measuresare often complex and are modified fre-quently, making it difficult for anglers tomaintain current knowledge of the regula-tions.

On the positive side, however, these man-agement plans have been very successful inallowing optimum utilization of the resourcewhile still achieving the goal of stockrestoration.

Future amendments to the Plan will lookinto the feasibility of a uniform size limit;rather than the current dual size limit of pro-ducer areas (20 inches) and coastal areas (28inches).

Striped Bass Managementcontinued from page 6

This year’s tournament will be heldSunday, October 1st at Island Beach StatePark. Last year, more than 1,300 adults andchildren registered for the event. The tourna-ment generated more than $10,000 in regis-tration fees which will be used for a varietyof conservation projects such as the construc-tion of a beach access ramp, mobile fishingeducation carts and specialized wheelchairsfor the disabled and elderly. The goal of thetournament is to foster a life-long commit-ment to marine conservation and the sport ofsurf fishing. The winner of the 1999Governor’s Cup was Dorothy Harrison ofWayne, New Jersey with a 29 inch RedDrum.The Division would like to thank thefollowing organizations for their contributionto the Eighth Annual Governor’s Surf FishingTournament: Acme Tackle Company, AirlitePlastics, Ande Inc., BASS Inc., Bill LewisLures, Bry’s Marine, CK Co., Cabela’s,Coleman Company, Cortland Line CompanyInc., Crowe Rope Industries LLC, DOAFishing Lures Inc., DeLorme, Dows BoatRental, Dubro Products, F.J. Neil, Fin-NorInternational, Fishing Tackle Co.Inc., Frank’sBoats, Fulcrum Publishing, G. Loomis Inc.,GBS Distribution LLC, H.D. WoodAdvertising, Hopkins Fishing Lures Co. Inc.,Hoppe’s A Brunswick Company, LamiglasInc., Leatherman Tool Group Inc., LegalLimits, Mister Twister Inc., Morrison’s,Ocean County Library, Ocean Fresh Seafood,Orvis (Paramus), Penn Fishing Tackle Mfg.Company, Ramsey Outdoors (Ledgewood),Ramsey Outdoors (Paramus), Rays SportShop Inc. (N. Plainfield), SCS Limited,SPRO Corporation, Scott’s Bait & Tackle,Shakespeare, Sportsman’s Outpost,Springfield Marine & Aluminum, TTICompanies, Techsonic Industries Inc., TheFisherman Magazine, Ultimus Lures, WaterGremlin Co., and Wright & McGill Co.

For more information and registrationforms contact: Division of Fish and Wildlife,605 Pequest Rd., Oxford, NJ 07863 or call908-637-4125.

Don’t Miss The Ninth AnnualGovernor’s Surf Fishing TournamentKnow Your Sharks

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