Notes from the Field; Free recreational saltwater fishing registry; New Jersey: Flawed “Handgun Purchaser ID Card”

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Notes from the Field; Free recreational saltwater fishing registry; New Jersey: Flawed “Handgun Purchaser ID Card”

Friday, December 10, 2010

Hunting and Fishing News

compiled by CNBNEWS.NET

NOTES FROM THE FIELD by Gary Devine...

Yesterday, Wednesday December 8th at approximately three pm, my hunting friend Wayne and I were returning from a two and a half day New Jersey bear hunt.

We stopped at the rest stop just north of exit eight on the New Jersey Turnpike. As we were walking out towards the door to leave the men's room when a man walked in

who looked very familiar. He noticed me staring at him and he stared right back as he walked passed me. The man was wearing a white shirt with a tie. I notice another man standing at attention by the men's room door inside the bathroom staring in. He had a suit and tie and a radio device in his ear. It then hit me. I asked the man at the bathroom door are you a State Trooper and he shock his head yes. I asked is that Governor Christie. He again shock his head yes. I said my friend Wayne and I are just returning from the NJ bear hunt up in Sussex County. I want to thank the Governor for allowing the bear hunt and not caving into the Humane Society.

The Governor walked up to both us and I said Governor Christie we would like to thank you for allowing the bear hunt and we are just returning from bear hunting Sussex County. I also said this is Wayne Cheeseman from Pittsgrove NJ and I am Gary Devine from Glassboro NJ. He shock both of our hands right inside the bathroom door.

I also told him that Wayne and I are both Republicans and Corzine blocked the bear hunt for four years. I told him we each saw bear and Wayne shot a seven point buck. We had a great hunt. I said you are doing a great job in office and he thanked us both and walked out.

Right in the front of the building we noticed two black vehicles with other State Troopers inside. The Governor bought a beverage and got into the first vehicle and left.

Gary Devine

Glassboro, NJ

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December 10, 2010

By Anthony Mauro Sr.

Yesterday the Senate Environment and Energy Committee approved Senate Bill S1122, which requires the DEP to establish free recreational saltwater fishing registry. The bill will now head to the full senate for a vote as early as Monday, December 13, 2011.

Voting in favor of the free registry were Senators: Gordon, Bateman, Beck, and Greenstein. Committee Chair, Senator Smith abstained for reasons of conscience stating that the costs of implementing the registry were not considered in the bill.

The vote brings New Jersey closer to meeting federal registry requirements established by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and avoiding a $15.00 federal registration fee. The salt water registry is a federally mandated data collection program intended to ensure sustainable fisheries based on the best available science. An Assembly version of the bill (A823) has already passed.

Last week the NJOA (CF) sent out a NMFS announcement that a $15 fee would be imposed on individual saltwater anglers as of January 1, 2011 for those not currently registered through the federal program or by coastal registrations from other states. Those having an active Highly Migratory Species permit are also exempt from needing to register.

Two representatives from NJ DEP requested the committee consider a $5.00 registry fee. NJOA (CF) Chairman, Anthony P. Mauro said, "For nearly a year we've been trying to get the DEP to give us a firm understanding of how they would comply with the federal mandate but today was the first glimpse of their position."

Based on a consensus of its council the NJOA (CF) has been advocating a $2.00 registry fee to cover the costs of implementation. "As a practical matter, the council is not opposed to a free saltwater registry," said Mauro. He continued, "Concerns center on whether the costs associated with implementing a saltwater registry will impact an already severely underfunded Bureau of Marine Fisheries (BMF). The devil is in the details. Bill sponsors Senator Beck and Senator Van Drew did not address this important aspect in their bill."

In addition to saltwater anglers the NJOA (CF) council is composed of hunters and freshwater anglers. Mauro added, "These diverse interests force us to consider whether there are unexpected consequences to a free registry. We certainly don't want to see the Division of Fish and Wildlife transfer funds from the sale of freshwater fishing licenses, hunting licenses, permits and stamps, and to free up monies for implementing a saltwater registry. In effect, this scenario would swap funds currently used for natural resource management to data management. If it were to happen it would be an unacceptable tradeoff."

Pete Grimbilas, NJOA (CF) President, said, "An appropriation from the state to cover the costs would be one way to remedy our concerns and show respect for the nearly $2 billion in economic activity and 10,000 jobs generated by sportsmen and women. With a little creative thinking and use of technology perhaps the state can simply find a low cost method to fulfill registry obligations."

The NJOA (CF) council will continue to work with other fishing groups and legislators to ensure a registry that improves the integrity of fisheries and benefits saltwater anglers.

The author is chairman of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects

New Jersey: Flawed “Handgun Purchaser ID Card” Legislation Passes Committee, Referred to Another Senate Committee

On Monday the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee favorably reported S2190from Committee and referred the bill to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Sponsored by State Senator Fred Madden (D-4), S2190 directs the State Police to establish a “handgun purchaser identification card” which would permit the sale, transfer and delivery of handguns between cardholders and retail dealers only.

S2190 does not eliminate the current paper form of “permit to purchase” but creates a bifurcated system run by the State Police in which paper permits must still be issued for some transactions, including private transfers, which cannot be made with the new card. The legislation has other troubling aspects, including use of an undefined, subjective standard to qualify for the new card (applicants must somehow prove themselves to be persons “of good character and good repute in the community in which they live,” a vague standard found elsewhere in NJ gun law that is in need of reform).

Senator Madden is insistent on pushing this bill with little opportunity for consultation and discussion with the National Rifle Association and the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs.

Please encourage the members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee to either amend S2190 or hold it until the issues and concerns of gun owners can be properly addressed. Contact information can be found below.

Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee:

Senator Paul A. Sarlo (Chair) [email protected]

Senator Brian P. Stack (Vice-Chair) [email protected]

Senator Anthony R. Bucco [email protected]

Senator Barbara Buono [email protected]

Senator Sandra B. Cunningham [email protected]

Senator Michael J. Doherty [email protected]

Senator Linda R. Greenstein [email protected]

Senator Kevin J. O’Toole [email protected]

Senator Steven V. Oroho [email protected]

Senator Joseph Pennacchio [email protected]

Senator M. Teresa Ruiz [email protected]