March 31, 2010 - In an effort to help drive new funding towards New Jersey's marine fisheries, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and their New Jersey state chapter (RFA-NJ) have put in extra hours in the state Capitol. Last week, RFA testified before the Senate Budget Committee asking for an additional $2.3 million in state funding specifically for the state Division of Fish and Wildlife and their marine fisheries programs, while RFA's lobbying efforts to promote a conservation lottery enacted to help fund the state's conservation funds have paid off with new concurrent resolutions in both the Senate and Assembly.

On March 11, Assembly Concurrent Resolution number 119 (ACR119) was introduced by Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano, while just days later a Senate version was introduced (SCR93) by Senator Jeff Van Drew, each proposing Constitutional amendments authorizing the creation of a new State lottery to help fund conservation programs, including fish and wildlife and particularly marine fisheries. If passed in both houses, the resolutions would let voters decided in favor of amending the state constitution to allow state lottery monies to go towards the funding of state conservation programs like agriculture, fish and wildlife, and marine fisheries, in addition to endangered or nongame species.

"Such a program would be a win for all resource users in New Jersey, the fishermen, the hunters, the wildlife watchers, everyone who appreciates a sustainable public resource," said RFA Executive Director, Jim Donofrio. "Senator Van Drew and Assemblyman Albano have always recognized the fishermen as the key stewards of our marine resources, and now with this unique new conservation lottery, we'll be able to bring in more money than any individual user fee could ever fulfill."

Donofrio cited an economic report conducted by Southwick and Associates for the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in 2002 that estimated that a conservation lottery in New Jersey could generate more than $76 million in annual revenue towards fish and wildlife management in the state. The same report determined that a New Jersey saltwater fishing license at maximum would generate less than $7 million a year.

"The estimated cost of a free saltwater registry in New Jersey is about $500,000 according to recent Assembly testimony," Donofrio said, adding "if we can get a constitutional amendment passed to raise $76 million for conservation efforts here in the state, New Jersey suddenly becomes a model of efficiency along the coast where the fishing's free and the funding source is truly dedicated."

On March 22, the New Jersey Assembly voted in favor of A823, which would require the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a free recreational saltwater fishing registry. If a Senate version (S1122) is passed and both are signed by the governor, New Jersey would be the first state along the coast to fully implement a free saltwater registry. "Maine recently approved a federally compliant, state-run saltwater recreational fishing registry there which will cost anglers $2 or less as purely an administrative fee, while Delaware and Virginia have both implanted free saltwater registry programs to make up for the inconsistencies in their licensing methodology," Donofrio explained of new federal fisheries regulations. "Thanks to state legislators who really understand the issues affecting our coastal community, New Jersey could become the first state in the country to keep its saltwater fishing free for everyone while reaping the financial benefits of being a gambling state."

John Depersenaire, RFA's Fisheries Policy & Science Researcher, testified in person before the New Jersey Senate on behalf of RFA-NJ members, saying "The RFA is requesting the FY2011 appropriation for the Bureau Marine Fisheries be increased by $2.3 million dollars to result in a total operating budget of $6 million for 2011 and beyond." Testifying on behalf of a $1.6 billion industry in New Jersey that supports an estimated 9,800 jobs,Depersenaire said "considering the significant socioeconomic importance of recreational saltwater fishing to the state of New Jersey this request is fully justified."

In RFA's official statement, Depersenaire said "Saltwater anglers in New Jersey contribute $100.3 million in state taxes, over $23 million of that in direct sales tax. At the same time, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries (Bureau) is allocated $1.6 million in general funding per year which represents less than a 2% reinvestment of the $100 million economic benefit recreational fishing provides to the state. This percentage drops below 1% when contributions from the commercial fishing industry are considered. The insufficient budget is so low that the state of New Jersey is turning away federal assistance offered through the Sportfish Restoration Fund because the Bureau cannot meet cost sharing requirements of the federal aid program."

"Bureau funding has not increased beyond the inflation factor since 1988, yet there are an additional 21 federally mandated Fisheries Management Plans with which to comply," said RFA-NJ chairman, Capt. Adam Nowalsky, while explaining that New Jersey currently ranks last out of the Atlantic coastal states in per angler funding. "The RFA made a commitment years ago to help lobby for increased funding for our marine division, and we'll continue to do everything we can to help the Bureau," Nowalksy said, adding "in this tough economic climate, that $2.3 million in allocations would help meet some of the basic federal mandates."

The RFA cited Governor Christie with saying that it was time for "long-term reform and to fundamentally change the way the State maintains its finances." Donofrio said that's precisely the point of view the RFA has argued over the years. "The Governor has made it clear that he's committed to cutting the budget, but he also said he wants to see spending programs that can be sustained by reasonable projections of recurring revenue," he said.

"When you look at Southwick's forecast of what a conservation lottery could do for resource management, this is specifically the type of responsible, long-range fiscal planning that Governor Christie has mandated for New Jersey."