Pallone Applauds NOAA’s Acceptance of NJ’s Flounder Recommendations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2017

Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) applauded the decision by U.S Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to affirm the State of New Jersey’s summer flounder regulations. The State argues that this change will better preserve the stock by reducing the discard mortality as well as reach conservation equivalency with federal regulations.

Pallone supported the State’s proposal, which was developed to alleviate the damage of drastic summer flounder quota cuts that were announced by NOAA earlier this year. On June 23, Pallone sent a letter to Secretary Ross supporting the State’s position.

“The Commerce Secretary and NOAA made the right decision by affirming New Jersey’s innovative summer flounder management plan.” said Pallone. “I am pleased the State was able to devise a plan that addresses the economic needs of fishermen and their families, coastal communities, and promote conservation of an important species. Much works still needs to be done to reform how we manage our recreational and commercial fisheries, and I pledge to continue to work to protect and support our coastal communities.”

Congressman Pallone has been a longtime supporter of fisheries and their positive economic impact on coastal communities. Earlier this year, Pallone and a bipartisan group from the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) vote to approve devastating restrictions on New Jersey’s fishing community. The Congressmen asked Ross to delay any reductions or changes in summer flounder fishing quotas until a new stock assessment can be completed and a new approach can be crafted.

He appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA’s quota reductions because of the harm they would cause New Jersey coastal communities. Pallone and Senator Booker sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the ABC recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotas until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment.

Pallone Supports NJ’s Flounder Recommendations in Letter to Commerce Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2017



Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sent a letter to U.S Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asking him to consider New Jersey’s response to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) evaluation of the state’s compliance. New Jersey has proposed a summer flounder size limit of 18 inches, with a 104-day fishing season and a 3 bag limit. The State argues that this change will better preserve the stock by reducing the discard mortality as well as reach conservation equivalency with federal regulations.

“I firmly believe that New Jersey is making every reasonable effort to chart a course forward that adequately balances conservation with the economic needs of fishermen and fishing communities, and I ask that you give the state’s approach a fair and thorough review,” said Pallone.

Congressman Pallone has been a longtime supporter of fisheries and their positive economic impact on coastal communities. Earlier this year, Pallone and a bipartisan group from the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) vote to approve devastating restrictions on New Jersey’s fishing community. The Congressmen asked Ross to delay any reductions or changes in summer flounder fishing quotas until a new stock assessment can be completed and a new approach can be crafted.

He Appeared appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA’s quota reductions because of the harm they would cause New Jersey coastal communities. Pallone and Senator Booker sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the ABC recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotas until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment.

The text of the letter can be found below:


June 23, 2017
The Honorable Wilbur Ross
Secretary U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary Ross:

I write regarding the ongoing federal review of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) finding that the state of New Jersey is out of compliance with ASMFC’s Addendum XXVIII to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan. I firmly believe that New Jersey is making every reasonable effort to chart a course forward that adequately balances conservation with the economic needs of fishermen and fishing communities, and I ask that you give the state’s approach a fair and thorough review.

New Jersey has proposed that the summer flounder size limit be decreased to 18 inches, with a 104-day fishing season and a 3 bag limit. The state is arguing that its summer flounder regulations reach conservation equivalency with federal regulations, and that its regulations will actually preserve the stock by reducing discard mortality.

I respectfully request that you carefully consider the state’s arguments and technical data as you make your decision about whether to find New Jersey out of compliance. Imposing a moratorium on summer flounder fishing in New Jersey would have a devastating impact on the economies of coastal communities that rely on the recreational fishing industry in my Congressional district. Additionally, reaching that determination while there continue to be compelling technical and scientific reasons to question the initial decision to cut summer flounder quotas will further erode anglers’ trust in entities like ASMFC, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other fisheries management bodies.

Much work needs to be done to reform how we manage our recreational and commercial fisheries, but that work must take into account the facts on the ground and the opinions of those who would be most-directly impacted. I appreciate your consideration of my views, and I hope you will give the argument presented by the state of New Jersey your careful consideration.

Sincerely,


FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress

Pallone Opposes Cuts to Summer Flounder Quotas at Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2017


CONTACT
Anton Becker
(202) 225-4671
Anton.Becker@mail.house.gov


Pallone Opposes Cuts to Summer Flounder Quotas at Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission


Washington, DC – Today, at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, a spokesperson for Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) provided a statement arguing that proposed reductions for Summer Flounder quotas would harm many coastal communities including those along the Jersey Shore that rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries. The Commission, despite opposition by New Jersey representatives, elected to finalize regulations that will result in a 34% cut in summer flounder quotas for the state. The bag limit will decrease to 3 fish, and the minimum size will increase one inch to 19 inches on the New Jersey coast and 18 inches in Delaware Bay.

“These cuts are a body blow to the recreational fishing industry in New Jersey,” said Pallone. “The recreational fishing industry contributes over $1 billion to our state’s economy and directly supports 20,000 jobs. The cuts for New Jersey are greater than what NOAA had required for the region, and too many anglers and their families are going to suffer because of them. I vehemently oppose the Commission’s decision and will fight to ensure that these onerous cuts do not go into effect.”

Last month, Pallone and a bipartisan group from the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker asking her to prevent rulemaking that would reduce the summer flounder quotas for recreational and commercial fishing from going into effect.

The letter asks the Secretary to direct NOAA Fisheries to reexamine its methodologies and conduct a new benchmark summer flounder assessment before making any decision to reduce summer flounder quotas. Under the rule, the summer flounder Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) would be reduced 29% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker and Congressmen Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) and Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), joined Pallone in the letter.

Pallone has long been a supporter of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Recently Pallone appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA’s quota reductions because of the harm they would cause New Jersey coastal communities. Pallone and Senator Booker sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the ABC recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotas until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment.


His statement before the council can be found HERE

Bipartisan Members of NJ Delegation Call on Commerce Secretary to Stop Summer Flounder Quota Cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2016


LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and a bipartisan group from the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker asking her to prevent rulemaking that would reduce the summer flounder quotas for recreational and commercial fishing from going into effect. The letter asks the Secretary to direct NOAA Fisheries to reexamine its methodologies and conduct a new benchmark summer flounder assessment before making any decision to reduce summer flounder quotas. Under the rule, the summer flounder Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) would be reduced 29% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker and Congressmen Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) and Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), joined Pallone in the letter.

Pallone has long been a supporter of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Recently Pallone appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA’s quota reductions because of the harm they would cause New Jersey coastal communities. Pallone and Senator Booker sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the ABC recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotas until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment.

Earlier this year, Congressman Pallone sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for fair and less restrictive policies relating to summer flounder. Last year, the Congressman decried NOAA’s final rule on 2016 summer flounder – which also reduced catch limits.


January 5, 2016


The Honorable Penny Pritzker
Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dear Secretary Pritzker:

We write in regards to a final rule recently announced by NOAA Fisheries to significantly reduce the commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. This rule will have a dramatic impact on coastal communities in New Jersey that rely on the summer flounder fishery, harming the livelihoods of recreational and commercial fishermen. The consequences of allowing this rule to go forward are serious, and we respectfully request that you consider taking emergency action to prevent these quota reductions from going into effect.

As you know, the final rule announced by NOAA Fisheries reduced the summer flounder Acceptable Biological Catch by 29% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits were reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018 respectively.

Many of our constituents have raised concerns to us about the science and methodology used by the agency in estimating the summer flounder population to make these determinations.. For example, the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) estimated that Connecticut and New York recreational fishermen greatly exceeded limits on summer flounder in 2016, in part due to an increase in fishing trips in July and August. In order for the MRIP estimate to be accurate, there would need to be a 68% increase in fishing trips for Connecticut in those months, and a 35% increase for New York during July and August 2016, an increase of 400,000 people fishing. However, data from the Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) shows that the number of fishing trips along the Eastern Seaboard has been declining, with a drop of 8 million fishing trips from 2007 to 2014. Many of our constituents feel that a sharp reversal of this trend is unlikely.

These reductions will harm coastal communities that rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries along the Jersey Shore. From 2007 to 2014, JCAA has reported that there was a loss of 2 million fishing trips in New Jersey, and 40% of fishing trips in New Jersey are in pursuit of summer flounder. In short, these communities are already struggling, and these reductions will result in lost jobs for fishermen, and hardship for their families. Those working in the tourism and boating industries along the Shore will be adversely impacted as well.

That is why we are respectfully requesting that you consider preventing this rule from going into effect, and directing NOAA Fisheries to reexamine its methodologies and conduct a new benchmark summer flounder assessment before making any decision to reduce summer flounder quotas. New Jersey fishermen and their families should not be made to suffer because a federal agency uses disputed data.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Pallone Calls for NOAA Fisheries to Reconsider Summer Flounder Quotas at Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2016

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) spoke at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (MAFMC) December Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland about his efforts to convince NOAA Fisheries to postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotes until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment. Pallone argued that proposed reductions would harm many coastal communities including those along the Jersey Shore who rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries.

“Many fishermen are frustrated and lack confidence in the data that guides stock assessments,” said Pallone. “In the recreational sector, many believe that they have sacrificed for years to increase stocks, and have yet to see any benefits, despite the increase in biomass from the ‘90s. There continues to be legitimate concerns that the random sampling heavily relied upon by the NOAA and the estimates produced are inaccurate.”

This week Congressman Pallone and Senator Cory Booker sent a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotes until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment.

Pallone has long been a supporters of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Earlier this year, Congressman Pallone sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for fair and less restrictive policies relating to summer flounder. Last year, the Congressman decried NOAA’s final rule on 2016 summer flounder catch limits. Under the rule, the summer flounder acceptable catch limit was reduced 30 percent, from 23 million pounds to 16 million pounds.

His statement before the council can be found below:


Statement of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
December Meeting
December 14, 2016

I want to thank Chairman Luisi, Vice Chairman Elliot, and all the members and staff of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council for giving me this opportunity to make a statement about the summer flounder quotas for 2017 and 2018, and for the work you do to serve fishermen and coastal communities.

I also want to acknowledge the New Jersey members of the Council, Thomas Baum, Peter Hughes, and Adam Nowalsky for their work.

As you all know, last month, NOAA Fisheries released a proposal to dramatically cut the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. Summer flounder is one of the most important recreational fish to resident and non-resident anglers in New Jersey.

As you also know, the scale of these reductions is extremely serious; the summer flounder ABC would be reduced 29% in 2017 and a 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. I know that implementing this proposed rule would have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of recreational and commercial fishermen and the economies of coastal communities that depend on the industry.

I represent the New Jersey 6th Congressional District, and there are many coastal communities in my district which will be harmed if these regulations go into effect. Many of these Jersey Shore communities rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries, and are already struggling. According to the Jersey Coast Anglers Alliance, from 2007 to 2014 there was a loss of 2 million fishing trips in New Jersey, and 40% of fishing trips in New Jersey are in pursuit of summer flounder. Burdensome regulations on recreational fishermen have played a large role in this decrease.

Fishermen and their families will not be the only ones who suffer if these dramatic cuts are finalized. The tourism and boating industries along the Shore will be impacted as well.

I have heard from constituents about this issue, and earlier this week, Senator Booker and I sent a letter to NOAA, requesting that it reconsider this proposal, and maintain existing quota levels until it conducts a new summer flounder benchmark assessment.

Many fishermen are frustrated and lack confidence in the data that guides stock assessments. In the recreational sector, many believe that they have sacrificed for years to increase stocks, and have yet to see any benefits, despite the increase in biomass from the ‘90s. There continues to be legitimate concerns that the random sampling heavily relied upon by the NOAA and the estimates produced are inaccurate.

Before it makes cuts of this severity, NOAA should work to ensure that it has the most recent and accurate data possible, and that fishermen are confident that this data will lead to accurate stock assessments. Until it conducts a new benchmark assessment, NOAA should maintain existing quotas.

The problem is exacerbated by the heavy handed approach that NOAA sometimes takes. For example, NOAA recently announced it was instituting accountability measures in a broad swath of ocean off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey to protect windowpane flounder. These measures, which place specifications on the types of trawl gear allowed to be used, would have a devastating economic impact on commercial fishermen, especially on the Belford Seafood Co-op in my district, since the impacted area is prime territory for summer flounder, which they depend on. The Co-op fishermen do not fish for windowpane, but they are going to be forced to adhere to these regulations anyway.

I understand that the Council is working to resolve this problem with the New England Fishery Management Council. I encourage both Councils to work together to prevent these accountability measures from hurting fishermen just trying to do their jobs.

Throughout my career in Congress, I have always worked to protect the thousands of fishermen in my Congressional District, and to enable their continued valuable economic impact on New Jersey. I will keep working to press NOAA to use the best data possible when making stock assessments, and to protect fishermen from burdensome regulations of dubious impact.

In closing, while I recognize that the Council’s ability to push back against these quotas is limited, I strongly encourage the Council to take any and all steps that it can to protect recreational and commercial fishermen. The Council should work to minimize the potential negative impacts of quota cuts on the commercial and recreational fishing industry.

Thank you.

Pallone Calls for Less Restrictive Policies for Summer Flounder and Sea Bass

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2016


Files Formal Comment Regarding Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Draft Proposal

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sent a letter to Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, regarding the Commission’s Draft Addendum XXVII to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. In the letter, Pallone called for fair and less restrictive policies relating to two important fisheries in New Jersey: summer flounder and sea bass.

“My district has thousands of private anglers and attracts individual anglers from all over the nation. These anglers support local small businesses and drive the coastal economy of my home state,” Pallone wrote in the letter. “It is critical for New Jersey to receive fair treatment in the development of restrictions placed on key recreational species.”

Regarding summer flounder, Pallone requested that the Commission enable New Jersey to become its own region and allow anglers to have a more equitable size limit within the Delaware Bay area. With respect to sea bass, he expressed his support for a less restrictive quota than the proposed 23% reduction included in the draft addendum for recreational harvest. He also once again called for more reliable data collection to ensure that recreational anglers in New Jersey and along the Atlantic Coast have fair quotas based on sound science.

The full text of the letter is available here.

Pallone Decries NOAA’s Restrictive Summer Flounder Quota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2015


WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) decried the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) final rule on 2016 summer flounder catch limits released today. Under the rule, the summer flounder acceptable catch limit is being reduced by 30 percent, from 23 million pounds to 16 million pounds.

“I am most disappointed in the restrictive rule for our commercial and recreational fishermen in New Jersey. They depend on a sufficient summer flounder quota and without one, New Jersey’s economy faces a threat as it continues to rebound from Superstorm Sandy,” said Congressman Pallone. “I am fully committed to working with my New Jersey colleagues and pressing NOAA for more favorable catch limits in the future.”

Earlier this year, Pallone submitted a letter to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), which reviews the quota process prior to NOAA. In his letter, which was signed by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), Pallone requested less restrictive quota limits for summer flounder stock.

The letter is available HERE.

Pallone, Menendez and Booker Call on Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to Pursue Less Restrictive Summer Flounder Quota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2015



WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D NJ-06) submitted a letter to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) requesting less restrictive quota limits for summer flounder stock. The proposed 2016 quota within the MAFMC’s preliminary memorandum represents an approximate 25 percent reduction from 2015. This reduction would significantly impact the recreational and commercial fisherman whose livelihoods depend on a fair summer flounder quota. U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) signed onto the letter.

In the letter, the New Jersey lawmakers wrote, “New Jersey’s fishing economy is still rebounding from Superstorm Sandy, and our fear is that a reduction of this magnitude will have a serious negative impact on commercial and recreational fishermen in New Jersey…Commercial and recreational fisherman throughout New Jersey specifically target summer flounder and derive a significant portion of their income from this species. They are dependent upon sufficient summer flounder quota to remain active in this fishery and maintain their businesses.”

The quota process is in its preliminary stages. The proposed 25 percent decrease must be reviewed by the MAFMC’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), which meets this week. It must then be approved by the MAFMC before going to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries for final approval and implementation.

The full text of the letter follows.

July 21, 2015

Richard B. Robins, Jr., Chairman
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
800 North State Street, Suite 201
Dover, DE 19901

Dr. John Boreman, Chairman
Scientific and Statistical Committee
800 North State Street, Suite 201
Dover, DE 19901

Dear Chairmen Robins and Boreman:

We write today regarding preliminary summer flounder management measures for 2016. According to a preliminary memorandum prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), a 25% reduction in the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) for summer flounder is being proposed for 2016. As you review this recommendation, we urge the MAFMC and its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to further evaluate their options for the upcoming summer flounder fishing year and to minimize any potential negative impacts on the commercial and recreational fishing industry in New Jersey when finalizing any final specifications.

The preliminary memorandum cites poor recruitment and evidence of illegal harvest as major factors for the reduction, while noting that catch of summer flounder in recent years has not been substantially over the ABCs. New Jersey’s fishing economy is still rebounding from Superstorm Sandy, and our fear is that a reduction of this magnitude will have a serious negative impact on commercial and recreational fishermen in New Jersey.

There continues to be a troubling lack of confidence among fishermen and many fisheries managers in the data that guide stock assessments. As Congress considers reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the reliability of data collection remains one of our primary concerns. The 2006 amendments to the act included requirements to develop an improved recreational data collection program, now the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). Yet there is still concern that random sampling is heavily relied upon by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and that the estimates produced are inaccurate. In fact, NOAA has acknowledged this shortcoming and is working to transition to mail surveys from phone surveys because they reach more anglers and provide more accurate information.

Recreational and commercial fishing directed at summer flounder is a critical component of our state's economy. Commercial and recreational fisherman throughout New Jersey specifically target summer flounder and derive a significant portion of their income from this species. They are dependent upon sufficient summer flounder quota to remain active in this fishery and maintain their businesses.

We respectfully urge the MAFMC and its SSC to further evaluate their options for the upcoming summer flounder fishing year and to approve final specifications that minimize any potential negative impacts to New Jersey’s fishing industry. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Frank Pallone
United States Representative

Robert Menendez
United States Senator

Cory Booker
United States Senator