ASSEMBLYMAN KEAN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT COMMERCIAL FISHING ON ARTIFICIAL REEFS

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean introduced legislation today that would prohibit the use of certain fishing equipment on artificial reefs. Kean drafted the measure to limit commercial fishing taking place on New Jersey’s artificial reefs and to provide recreational fishermen with better access to the reefs.

“I want to ensure that recreational fishermen have the opportunity to avail themselves of New Jersey’s artificial reefs,” said Assemblyman Sean T. Kean. “These reefs are key sites for fishing and in some cases commercial fishermen are misusing the reefs that were constructed for anglers and scuba divers to enjoy.”

New Jersey has a network of 15 artificial reefs created along the state’s coastline to attract fish and other marine life to that area. These reefs provide an environment for fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, fishing grounds for anglers and places of interest for scuba divers.

However, at many sites commercial fishermen can dominate an artificial reef and leave very little fish for recreational fishermen because of their large amount of fishing gear. These fishermen use equipment such as pot strings which are several hundred feet long and have dozens of traps attached and leave this gear to fish for hours.

Kean remarked, “Recreational fishermen are sometimes being forced to unfairly compete with commercial fishermen for fish and other marine life. Commercial fishermen can dominate an artificial reef and leave very little fish for the other fishermen because they have a large amount of fishing equipment that allows them to catch volumes of fish.”

Commercial fishing equipment is also problematic because the lines can reduce access to the site for other boaters. Commercial lines not only block other boaters from entering the area, they can also snag their rigs and cause everyone on the boat to lose their rig. In addition, boat anchors can also get snagged by pot strings.

Kean’s legislation will prohibit the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs within the marine waters of New Jersey. In addition, it also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to apply to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to designate New Jersey artificial reefs in federal waters as Special Management Zones thus, limiting commercial fishing on reefs.

“New Jersey’s recreational fishermen should be given equal opportunity to catch fish on these artificial reefs that were really created for their enjoyment,” stated Assemblyman Sean Kean.

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