SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 112

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 10, 1997

 

 

By Senator CAFIERO

 

 

A Concurrent Resolution affirming the equal rights to fish in the State for residents, commercial and recreational fishermen, and tourists and the interest of the State in managing marine resources in the State and protecting them from misuse and depletion.

 

Whereas, New Jersey is rich in marine resources, including beaches, and fresh and salt water areas populated with wildlife and sea life; and

Whereas, These marine resources are a vital component of the State economy, contributing to the quality of life in the State as a source of enjoyment for residents, recreational fishermen and tourists, and a source of profit for commercial fishermen; and

Whereas, The recreational and commercial fishing industries contribute almost $1.5 billion a year to the State economy and employ more than 50,000 full and part time workers; and

Whereas, Although New Jersey's marine resources are renewable resources, that with the proper management and protection, can be enjoyed indefinitely, they are nonetheless threatened by population growth and the increased demand for seafood and the growth in the sport and business of fishing; and

Whereas, The Department of Environmental Protection has been statutorily charged with the responsibility for protecting the State's natural resources, fish, game and wildlife and restricts the harvesting of these resources both by regulating the method by which the resource is taken and the amount of the resource harvested; and

Whereas, It is equally in the interest of the State, its residents, its commercial fishermen, its recreational fishermen, and its tourists, whether they fish or not, to have access to these resources and to have them properly managed and protected for future use; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

 

    1. The Legislature affirms the equal rights of the residents, commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and tourists in the State to have access to and enjoy the marine resources of the State at the same time that the State has an interest in managing these resources and protecting them from misuse and depletion.

 

    2. The Legislature urges the Department of Environmental Protection to reaffirm its role in balancing the management and protection of marine resources with the equal access and enjoyment of the resources.

 

    3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, and signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This concurrent resolution affirms the equal rights of the residents, commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and tourists in the State to have access to and enjoy the marine resources of the State and the State's interest in managing these resources and protecting them from misuse and depletion, and urges the Department of Environmental Protection to reaffirm its role in affirming the balance between the two.

 

 

                             

 

Affirms the equal fishing rights of residents, commercial and recreational fishermen, and tourists and the State interest in managing marine resources.