Bill Text: NJ S3192 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Designates striped bass (Morone saxatilis) as New Jersey saltwater fish.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-11-09 - Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading [S3192 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-S3192-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3192

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 19, 2015

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JEFF VAN DREW

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Senator  CHRISTOPHER J. CONNORS

District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates striped bass (Morone saxatilis) as New Jersey saltwater fish.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on November 9, 2015, with amendments.

  

An Act designating the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) as the New Jersey saltwater fish and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

 

Whereas, The rich marine resources of this State offer a variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, support an important commercial fishery, and provide the basis for tourism, one of the State's most vital industries; and

Whereas, Included in these marine resources are striped bass, which provide enjoyment for those interested in saltwater fishing; and

Whereas, The striped bass (Morone saxatilis), also known as the "striper" or "rockfish," is easily identified by the dark horizontal stripes across its silver body; and

Whereas, Striped bass can grow to lengths of more than 48 inches, weigh over 50 pounds, and live up to 30 years; and

Whereas, Striped bass are native to the Atlantic coastline of North America, ranging from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to the St. Johns River in Florida; and

Whereas, The Hudson and Delaware Rivers are important bodies of water for breeding stocks of striped bass; and

Whereas, New Jersey's own Navesink River was used to seine the striped bass that were transported to California by train, allowing the successful introduction of the fish to the Pacific coast in 1879; and

Whereas, The striped bass has always been an important recreational and commercial fish and has helped control the population of non-native gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum); and

Whereas, In the early 1980s, overfishing significantly reduced the population of striped bass, requiring strict management measures -- including the designation ¹in 2007¹ of striped bass as a protected game fish ¹[in 2007]¹ and a prohibition on the sale of striped bass caught in certain federal waters -- in order to return it to a healthy population status; and

¹Whereas,  In 1991, the State of New Jersey prohibited the sale in the State of wild caught striped bass; and¹

Whereas, Striped bass are now at sustainable population levels and able to be enjoyed by many in this State; and

Whereas,  In acknowledgement of the recreational, commercial, and environmental importance of this fish, it is fitting and appropriate to designate the striped bass as the official saltwater fish of the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is designated as the official saltwater fish of the State of New Jersey.

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.