Bill Text: NJ S3192 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
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-Introduced.html
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 introduced.
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 of striped bass as a protected game fish in 2007 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
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.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) as the official New Jersey saltwater fish.
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. Included in these marine resources are striped bass, which provide enjoyment for those interested in saltwater fishing.
The striped bass, also known as the "striper" or "rockfish," is easily identified by the dark horizontal stripes across its silver body. Striped bass can grow to lengths of more than 48 inches, weigh over 50 pounds, and live up to 30 years. They are native to the Atlantic coastline of North America, ranging from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to the St. Johns River in Florida. The Hudson and Delaware Rivers are important bodies of water for breeding stocks of striped bass. Moreover, 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.
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). In the early 1980s, overfishing significantly reduced its population, requiring strict management measures -- including the designation of striped bass as a protected game fish in 2007 and a prohibition on the sale of striped bass caught in certain federal waters -- in order to return it to a healthy population status. Striped bass are now at sustainable population levels and able to be enjoyed by many in this State.
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.
