FEBRUARY 2010 FISH HAWKS NEWSLETTER

FISH HAWKS OFFICIAL WEB SITE www.fishhawksnj.com

 

                

                                 MARCH TOPIC                                                       GUEST SPEAKER

                                     BLUE CLAW CRAB                                                     Dr. Paul Jivoff – Rider University        

         

SHORT CASTS

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO PATRONIZE ALL OF OUR SPONSORS.

Our Club radio channel is 19. We ask our members to please monitor it at all times.

If you have changed your address or phone #, please give new information to our membership committeemen, Jack Henderson.

 Please call Good & Welfare Chairwomen Sandy Roy if you know of any member who is ill or has been hospitalized.

Yearly membership cards for those current in dues are mailed with your newsletter. If you have paid your dues and have not received a current dues card, please see Newsletter Chairperson, Jack Henderson at the meeting.

If you want a speaker on a specific subject, call our Program Director Bernie Scesney.

Club Gear – gear is ordered through member Kathy Cannata “SEW YOU Custom Embroidery”. We will only be stocking hats and T-shirts; Hat colors are Navy Blue and Two Tone Beige w/ blue bill. The embroidered Fish Hawk logo is on the front and hats have an adjustable band for fit. Price is $12.00.

Quality T-shirts, light blue w/pocket and embroidered Fish Hawk logo. Prices - lrg & xlrg $15.00, 2xx & 3xx $17.00. If any one wants smaller sizes, we will order them.  

Special Note: Please clean up bottles, glasses and garbage after the meeting.

Our Club number for Boat US membership discount is GA83831B. I have new member applications.

February Newsletter

 I wish I had all good news for the start of this newsletter. Some members have still not renewed their membership for 2010 and will, unfortunately, dropped from our mailing list. Dave and Julie Elbertson have had to resign from our Board of Directors due to personal things going on with their extended family. We will miss them and the contributions they have made over their many years of dedicated membership.

 Stripers Forever has been reporting the latest problems facing Striped Bass from commercial interests in both Mass. And  NY. which can affect all of us. Letters to legislators will let them know that this is a matter that transcends state lines and is important now and for the future of the striped bass fishery.

Attn. Sen. Antoine M. Thompson    athompso@senate.state.ny.us;  CC to Sen. Brian Foley bfoley@senate.state.ny.us; Sen Owen H. Johnson   ojohnson@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Vincent L. Leibell    leibell@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Betty Little  little@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Carl L Marcellino  marcelli@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer  oppenhei@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Frank Padavan  padavan@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Kevin S. Parker  parker@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Bill Perkins  perkins@senate.state.ny.us;Sen. Eric T. Schneiderman  schneide@senate.state.ny.us

Dear Senators,                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 My name is -------- I am a member of Fish Hawks Salt Water Anglers, a 200+ member club in Forked River, NJ.  I have been a fisherman for ------ years and am very concerned with the effect of the bill S4948 you have at hand. I am writing to urge you to support S4948, the bill to protect Hudson River striped bass from the resumption of commercial fishing.  The Hudson River is one of the major spawning areas for the migratory East coast striped bass stock.  This is the most important recreational salt water species in America.  Like all saltwater species, stripers are already threatened by intense fishing pressure and pollution.  Thirty years ago Hudson River stripers were almost wiped out by commercial fishing pressure.  This fishery has been closed to commercial harvest since 1976, and the population has recovered, though breeding age fish are under heavy fishing pressure in the ocean.  Senate bill S4948 has been referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee.  It is very important to me that you support this bill.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Your                                                                                             Name and address

  "Unless We Unite...Sport fishing Is In Big Trouble" Are You waiting for “Catch Shares” Next? Buying the right to fish?

 Washington, Feb 24^th at noon, RFA members will rally on the steps of our nation's Capitol in an organized demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA).  Together with our friends from the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen, United Boatmen, New York Sportfishing Federation, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association, Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF), Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) and the Fishing Rights Alliance, we're hoping to see several thousand recreational fishermen like yourself standing together in support of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009.  HR 1584 is sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone and supported by 25 additional co-sponsors, while the senate version of the bill, S 1255, has been sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer and has just recently added its first cosponsor (Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ). 

  With the participation and support of anglers like you, the RFA believes we can encourage more Senators and Congressmen to sign on to this valuable piece of legislation, supporting real science based management and the conservation of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational fishing activities along our coasts.  Efforts are now being coordinated in coastal states around the country to help get fishermen to DC on February 24.     The RFA-NJ, SSFF, United Boatmen and MTA-NJ have joined forces to arrange buses to take fishermen to Washington, with departures from the ports of Brielle, NJ and Atlantic Highlands, NJ.  Tickets are just $32 per person.  Click one of the links below for online ticket purchase and to choose a departure location -                                                                                                                         

Bogan's Boat Basin - Brielle, NJ        http://www.ssfff.net/bogansbasinbusdeparture.html 

Atlantic Highlands Marina - Atlantic Highlands, NJ     http://www.ssfff.net/atlantichighlandsbusdeparture.html

hurry, seats are filling up first at these initial locations or sign up at Feb. meeting and we will make final arrangements if we need another bus.

POTS OFF REEF" BILL IN SENATE COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 1

NJOA Supported Bill to Be Heard by Senate!

 The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation is proud to announce that Senate Bill 221, which would prohibit the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs, is scheduled to be heard by the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Mon., February 1. 

This bill has been a prioritized by the NJOACF council for the past 2 years with active support and participation by council members; Reef Rescue, JCAA, HRFA, NJ Beach Buggy Assoc., Greater Pt Pleasant Charter Boat Assoc., Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, NJ Council of Divers, Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club, and all NJOACF council members including hunting and forestry organizations.

  The Recreational Fishing Alliance New Jersey Chapter (RFA-NJ) is also pleased to announce that Senate Bill 221, which would prohibit the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs (i.e. - "Pots off the Reefs"), is scheduled to be heard by the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Monday, February 1.  Introduced by Sen. Sean T. Kean just two weeks ago and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew and Sen. Andrew R. Ciesla, S221 has the full support of RFA-NJ.

The hearing is open to the public and will take place beginning at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 10, 3^rd Floor, State House Annex in Trenton, NJ.  Directions can be found at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp. 

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

The NJOA is an "all volunteer" organization and we've found that our most successful working relationships have been with people who want to give back to our natural resources and who don't mind leaving their egos at the door. We at the NJOA are "doers" and attitude comes first.

 So why not join others who have helped the NJOA: put outdoor minded people in office, advance legislation to promote natural resource conservation, create New Jersey's first angling and hunting caucus, etc. or just took the time to share their love of the outdoors with others

Visit our website to learn more about the NJOA. You can also sign up to be a volunteer at the following link:

 https://phibetagib.wufoo.com/forms/njoa-volunteer-applicationcontact-form/

NJOA is supporting the United WE Fish March   http://www.ssfff.net/marchondc.html 

We will be hearing from Anthony Mauro, chairman of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance as a guest speaker on a DTA

Food & Water Watch

 A nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that runs cutting edge campaigns to help ensure clean water and safe food. We work with various community outreach groups around the world to create an economically and environmen tally viable future and advocate for safe, wholesome food, produced in a humane and sustainable manner, and public rather than private control of water resources, including oceans, rivers, and groundwater. The Food & Water Watch Fish Program specifically works to promote clean, green, safe seafood for consumers, while helping to protect the environment and coastal communities. Thanks to all the postcards that were sent in - including yours -  U.S. representatives and senators are taking notice.  But, while we work here in Washington, D.C., there is a plan out on the Pacific coast to privatize yet another fishery.  With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can tell the Pacific Fisheries Management Council that privatized catch shares are not the way to manage U.S. fisheries.  We need to act now to stop it.  http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1188

RFA reports that NOAA 'CHAMPIONS' ANOTHER CLOSURE
No Red Snapper Fishing Until Further Notice

 December 4, 2009 - On Thursday afternoon, President Obama wrapped up a jobs forum in Michigan by challenging the nation's top CEOs, business leaders and economists to come up with innovative ideas to put Americans back to work.  At the same time, NOAA Fisheries issued pink slips to thousands of South Atlantic and Gulf fishermen who rely on access to a healthy red snapper fishery. 
 
On December 3, NOAA announced a 6-month ban on both the recreational and commercial harvest of red snapper in South Atlantic federal waters off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina beginning on January 4. The provisions specified in the interim prohibition rule also apply to a person on-board a vessel for which a federal commercial or charter/headboat permit for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery has been issued, regardless of whether the fish are harvested or possessed in state or federal waters.

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife included a questionnaire in the 2009 edition of Reef News, the annual newsletter about the Artificial Reef Program sent to more than 7,300 anglers and available online. The objectives of the survey were to assess reef building effectiveness and obtain other relevant data of value to reef managers.

The results of the survey, detailing responses about reef use, fishing success, species targeted and related topics are now on the division's website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreefsurvey09.htm .  For more information on the reef program, including current and past editions of Reef News, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm , also on the division's website. Marine Fisheries Council  will meet March 24th at 4 p.m. in the  L. Manuel Hirshblond Room in the Toms River Township Office, 33 Washington Street,  Toms River, NJ   08753. 
For information on this and other fish and wildlife councils and meeting schedules see http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/councils.htm on the division's website.

Black Fish - Sea Bass fishing trip on the Islander based at Holiday Harbor.

The dated is Friday April 23, 2010.

The cost is $60.00 per person.

Call or e-mail Whitey Dunlap if you want to go. Spots are limited. We already have 15 people signed up for our so can we have plenty of room to move around.

609-212-3745 - 833 Bowsprit Point, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 whitey6@comcast.net

 

Flea market being held March 13^th donations are being graciously accepted on or before the day of the Flea Market either at our monthly meeting or can be dropped off at my house at 829 Bowsprit Point or with Whitey at 833 Bowsprit Point, Lanoka Harbor with the proceeds to be donated to the children’s education fund.

Upcoming events to be included in your schedule: 
Feb 25-28 The Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Show at Greater Phila Expo Center, 1601 Egypt Rd, Pheonixville,Pa  19460   www.sportshows.com  admission $10, children $3
Feb 27^th Saltwater Sportsman National 23^rd Seminar at Monmouth Regional High School, Performing Arts Theater, 1 Norman Field Way, Tinton Falls 1-800-448-7360 featuring a wide array of local captains offering courses on blackfish ,fluke, sea bass,  striped bass and tuna. Fee is $55
March 13^th Fish Hawks Flea Market at Lacey Elks

 UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRON BARNEGAT BAY COURSE AGENDA – SPRING 2010

                    CONTACT THE EVENING SCHOOL DIVISION FOR EACH TOWN TO REGISTER.

Toms River Intermediate School:

1519 Hooper Ave. Toms River, N.J.

Boat Smart: 3/8,3/15,3/22,3/29,4/5  Chart Smart: 4/12,4/19,4/26,5/3  

Mill Pond Elementary School:

210 Western Blvd. Lanoka Harbor, N.J.

Boat Smart: 3/4, 3/11,3/18,3/25,4/8  Chart Smart: 4/15,4/22,4/29,5/6

Marine Radio Seminar: 4/21   Marine Radar Seminar: 5/3  Marine Weather Seminar: 4/20

Partner in Command Seminar: 5/4    GPS In depth: 4/12,4/14,4/19,4/21

Fees: Boat Smart, Chart Smart and 4 night GPS:    $65 (Mill Pond-$60)

One night seminars:   $45

  Note:  Completion of the 4 night Boat Smart Course will result in attaining the New Jersey State Police Boating Safety Certificate.

65 members signed in our Jan. meeting to hear Nick Coco tell about the latest innovations in boat electronics.                                                                                                                         

You can go to our Fish Hawks website for the electronic version to utilize links to websites and to cut/paste for sending emails

Thank you for reading my Newsletter. Be Active and be Aware before our rights become a crime!

Your president Bill Westervelt billwfishawks@yahoo.com    732-841-6500