Bill Text: NJ SJR95 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates first full week of June each year as "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [SJR95 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SJR95-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator STEVEN V. OROHO
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Designates first full week of June each year as "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the first full week of June each year as "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week."
Whereas, Fishing and boating are cornerstones of the American recreational experience, connecting residents to the outdoors and promoting healthy living and environmental stewardship; and
Whereas, In 2012, an estimated 47 million Americans participated in fishing, making one billion outings, and 46 million Americans participated in boating, making 805 million outings - 58 percent of which involved fishing; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, in particular, 766,000 anglers spent a total of 9.5 million days fishing in 2011, with the vast majority of New Jersey residents choosing to remain in-State to fish; and
Whereas, New Jersey's State parks and natural areas, 127 miles of coastline, hundreds of miles of bayshore, and numerous inland lakes and tributaries provide countless fishing and boating opportunities; and
Whereas, New Jersey also offers some of the best and most diverse fishing in the country, including saltwater fishing for striped bass and flounder and stream fishing for brook trout; and
Whereas, In addition to great fishing, New Jersey hosts a variety of boating activities, such as sailing, cruising, dining and entertaining, nature observation, and water sports, all of which are available along the Jersey Shore and the State's numerous inland lakes and tributaries; and
Whereas, Recreational fishing and boating are excellent opportunities for families to spend time together, and for children to learn more about aquatic life and the environment; and
Whereas, Fishing and boating are also believed by many to be significant stress-relieving activities; and
Whereas, People who fish and boat are also more likely to value and help conserve the environment, and funds from fishing licenses, boat registrations, and excise taxes in New Jersey and across the country go toward conservation of natural aquatic areas; and
Whereas, National Fishing and Boating Week, which often takes place at the beginning of June, highlights the importance of fishing and boating in enhancing people's quality of life and preserving the country's natural beauty; and
Whereas, By designating New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week in June, it is hoped that this will encourage all people to participate in fishing and boating, and enjoy the natural beauty of the State in one of the best months to take it in; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The first full week of June each year is designated as "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week," in order to highlight the importance of fishing and boating in enhancing people's quality of life and in preserving the State's natural beauty.
2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. The Division of Fish and Wildlife shall take appropriate measures each year to publicize "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week," and coordinate at least one of the State's free fishing days, selected pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1985, c.352 (C.23:3-1b), with that week.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution would designate the first full week of June each year as "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week."
Fishing and boating are cornerstones of the American recreational experience. In 2012, an estimated 47 million Americans participated in fishing and 46 million Americans participated in boating. In New Jersey, in particular, 766,000 anglers spent a total of 9.5 million days fishing in 2011. The State's parks and natural areas, 127 miles of coastline, hundreds of miles of bayshore, and numerous inland lakes and tributaries provide countless fishing and boating opportunities. New Jersey also offers some of the best and most diverse fishing in the country, including saltwater fishing for striped bass and flounder and stream fishing for brook trout. The State hosts a variety of boating activities, such as sailing, cruising, dining and entertaining, nature observation, and water sports.
Recreational fishing and boating are excellent opportunities for families to spend time together, and for people to learn about and help conserve the natural environment. Fishing and boating are also believed by many to be significant stress-relieving activities. National Fishing and Boating Week, which often takes place at the beginning of June, highlights the importance of fishing and boating in enhancing people's quality of life and preserving the country's natural beauty. By designating New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week in June, it is hoped that this will encourage all people to participate in fishing and boating, and enjoy the natural beauty of the State in one of the best months to take it in.
This joint resolution would request the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week" with appropriate activities and programs. It would also direct the Division of Fish and Wildlife to take appropriate measures each year to publicize "New Jersey Fishing and Boating Week," and to coordinate at least one of the State's free fishing days, selected pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1985, c.352 (C.23:3-1b), with that week.
