NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Natural and Historic Resources
Division of Fish and Wildlife
Bureau of Marine Fisheries

Notice of Rule Proposal
Atlantic coastal sharks – Proposed Amendments to N.J.A.C. 7:25-18.1 and 18.12

Public Notice
Take notice that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to amend portions of the rules regarding Marine Fisheries at N.J.A.C. 7:25-18. A statement of the substance of the proposal follows: the proposal includes amendments related to fisheries for Atlantic coastal sharks and smooth dogfish.  The proposed amendments regarding recreational and commercial fisheries for Atlantic coastal sharks reflect the management measures mandated under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks, which contains an implementation date of January 1, 2010.  The smooth dogfish is also included in the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks. States included within the area covered by the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks are required to maintain consistency with the plan.  If the state does not maintain consistency, it may be subjected to a Federally mandated moratorium imposed on the state’s recreational and commercial shark fisheries.

The proposal is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register dated April 5, 2010. A copy of the proposal is available from: Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) website (PDF); LexisNexis Customer Service at (800) 223-1944 or www.lexisnexis.com/bookstore. Be advised that there may be a fee for obtaining a copy of the proposal from some sources.

A public hearing concerning the proposal is scheduled as follows:

Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 6:30 P.M.
Galloway Township Public Library
306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road
Absecon, New Jersey 08205

Written comments may be submitted by June 4, 2010 to:

NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Gary J. Brower, Esq.
Attention: DEP Docket Number: 01-10-03/747
Office of Legal Affairs
401 East State Street, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402