ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1530

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 11, 1996

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 1530.

      The bill establishes a prohibition on the sale, barter, or the offering for sale or barter, of Atlantic sturgeon caught in or taken from any of the waters of the State, and the taking of this fish as part of a commercial fishing operation.

      Currently, Atlantic sturgeon is not a recreational fish for State fishermen. The bill would in effect create a moratorium on the taking of Atlantic sturgeon from any of the waters of the State.