A coalition of environmental, fishing and beach access advocates will demonstrate their opposition to New Jersey's Dept. of Environmental Protection proposed rule changes on public access to the state's waterways at a news conference Wednesday in Trenton. The DEP announced the changes on April 4, and labeled them common sense rules to improve and enhance access to New Jersey's beaches.
In essence, the changes mean the state will give more control over local access to beaches and waterways to the towns where they are located. Critics claim many of these municipalities have a history of restricting of public access. Coalition members include the Surfrider Foundation, the American Littoral Society, the NY/NJ Baykeeper and Citizen's Right to Access Beaches (CRAB).
The groups says the new rules will, among other changes, allow towns to create their own public access plans without state oversight and remove state standards for public access points, parking and amenities. "The DEP has become more business friendly, more municipal friendly," Tom Fote, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, said. "But its first responsibility is to the people."
The DEP has been holding public comment hearings on the new rules and the final one will be held at 7 p.m, June 2, at the Long Beach Township Municipal Building, 6805 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach.
Wednesday's event, where a complete list of the more than 40 organizations opposed to the new rules will be unveiled, will be at 10:30 a.m. in Room 109 in the Statehouse in Trenton.
On the water, Capt. Ed Bunting of the Seahorse out of Atlantic Highlands reported that the fluke are there to be caught. Saturday's fluke fishing was the best so far this season. The boat had 83 keepers, well over 200 shorts and some bluefish. Sunday was not as good, due the change in wind direction, but the Seahorse still brought 35 keepers over the rail.
Pretty decent fluke action for miserable conditions was the report from the Jamaica II. There were some anglers, Capt. Ryan said, with four, five and six keepers over the weekend. Pete Talevi, Trenton, had six keepers to 5 1/2 pounds. Sunday's fishing started off well with a few guys landing three or four keepers before 10 a.m.
Despite a large southeast groundswell and poor anchoring conditions on Friday's trip, Capt. Jeff Gutman of the Voyager reported a very good catch of keeper cod with about 20 pollock mixed in. The cod ranged in size from shorts up to 22 pounds and the pollock went up to 30 pounds. Barry Goldman, Tinton Falls, had 14 keepers and Mike Desimone and Greg McCloud, both of Long Branch, combined for 28 keepers.
Greg Bogan of Brielle Bait and Tackle said there's lots of bunker in the area from Seaside to Belmar and there are some nice stripers around eating them. Dan Buccieri, South Hampton Twp., caught a 34-pound striper from on his boat right outside of the Manasquan Inlet. The bass hit a live bunker.