Pallone Urges Fair Treatment for New Jersey Fishing Industry in Striped Bass Management

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. sent a letter today to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Executive Director Bob Beal, advocating for fair treatment of New Jersey's fishing industry under the proposed 2025 Atlantic Striped Bass management measures. Pallone stressed the need to rebuild striped bass stocks while ensuring New Jersey's fishing industry is not unfairly penalized compared to neighboring northern states.

In his letter, Pallone called on the ASMFC to regulate New Jersey as a separate region, highlighting that the fish do not arrive along the Jersey Shore from the North until November and December - the time of the ASMFC's proposed closures. This would mean New Jersey would carry the full brunt of the reduction for states to the north of it. He noted that similar frameworks where New Jersey is regulated as a separate region have successfully rebuilt Summer Flounder stocks and could serve as a more equitable model for striped bass management.

"Meeting the stock rebuilding deadline of 2029 is important to the future of the species, as well as the industry and culture that depend on healthy stocks of Atlantic Striped Bass. A more appropriate framework to achieve shared goals would be to regulate New Jersey as a separate region. It is my understanding that the Atlantic Striped Bass Board is currently considering fishing closures to achieve a 14 percent reduction for a region that reaches from Massachusetts to New Jersey in November and December - my state's best season. It is critical that the Board consider that the fish do not arrive from the North along the Jersey Shore until this time of year. As a result, the seasonal closure would wholly benefit our northern neighbors at the expense of New Jersey's industry and culture. This is simply unfair," Pallone wrote.

Pallone's advocacy comes as the public comment period for the ASMFC's proposed measures closes today. The commission is expected to announce its final decision at its December 16 board meeting.

In response to Pallone's letter, Tom Fote, Legislative Chairman for Jersey Coast Anglers Association and New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, said, "We aren't saying whether we should be doing cuts or staying status quo at this time, but if we are doing anything then we agree with the Congressman that New Jersey should be its own region and not grouped with the other states."

Jim Hutchinson, Managing Editor at The Fisherman Magazine (New Jersey, Delaware Bay edition), said, "I want to personally thank Congressman Pallone for addressing the inequities in the striped bass options which could have grave socioeconomic impacts on our recreational fishing community in New Jersey. Any changes to the 2025 season at this point, especially those presented by the Board during their December 5^th webinar, may lead to a less equitable opportunity for New Jersey anglers and cause undue harm to our recreational fishing industry."

Full text of Pallone's letter is below and linked here:

Dear Executive Director Beal,

I write to share my feedback regarding the Atlantic Striped Bass Board's recent announcement of changes to the species' 2025 management measures. Specifically, I am concerned that the State of New Jersey may be regulated in a group with other states, which would make stock rebuilding measures more difficult and unnecessarily penalize New Jersey's fishing industry.

Meeting the stock rebuilding deadline of 2029 is important to the future of the species, as well as the industry and culture that depend on healthy stocks of Atlantic Striped Bass. A more appropriate framework to achieve shared goals would be to regulate New Jersey as a separate region. It is my understanding that the Atlantic Striped Bass Board is currently considering fishing closures to achieve a 14 percent reduction for a region that reaches from Massachusetts to New Jersey in November and December - my state's best season. It is critical that the Board consider that the fish do not arrive from the North along the Jersey Shore until this time of year. As a result, the seasonal closure would wholly benefit our northern neighbors at the expense of New Jersey's industry and culture. This is simply unfair.

Several years ago, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission regulated New Jersey as a separate region to equitably achieve Summer Flounder stock rebuilding efforts and I believe that remains an appropriate model for Atlantic Striped Bass management measures. As its own region, New Jersey can achieve the necessary cuts without causing disaster.

I hope you will agree that this framework will help us achieve both environmental and economic goals. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Frank Pallone, Jr.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS