Sportfishermen have always been the driving force behind artificial reef programs. It’s only natural. Artificial reefs benefit the family-level fishing community. And that brings dollars into local budgets.

Some folks at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must see this differently. The draft of the department’s artificial reef plan “would allow for the establishment of reefs where sportfishing is prohibited” according to an excerpt from RFA News published by the Recreational Fishing Alliance.

RFA Deputy Director of Government Affairs Michael Doebly says the Alliance “will work to have this language removed from the plan.” Anglers have until December 10, 2004 to voice their concerns. Send comments to Bill Figley, Reef Coordinator, Div. of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 418, Port Republic, NJ 08241.

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