Requires assessment of bay scallop resource, and authorizes DEP to establish a bay scallop fishery.
Impact
If the assessment confirms an adequate bay scallop resource, the DEP would have the authority to create and enforce rules regarding the taking and management of bay scallops. This could include the introduction of mechanical harvesting methods, which are currently prohibited under R.S.50:2-10, thereby reshaping existing fishing practices in New Jersey. The potential establishment of a bay scallop fishery could generate new economic opportunities, particularly for local fishers, while also addressing sustainability in marine resource use.
Summary
Senate Bill 793, introduced in January 2022, mandates an assessment of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) resource within New Jersey, facilitated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in consultation with the Shellfisheries Council. This bill aims to evaluate whether there exists a sufficient population of bay scallops to support the establishment of a fishery, which currently does not exist in the state. By directing the DEP to conduct this assessment, the bill emphasizes the state's commitment to understanding and potentially leveraging its marine resources for economic and environmental management purposes.
Contention
Notably, the bill brings forth discussions about the anticipated benefits to the fishing community against potential environmental concerns regarding overfishing and habitat disruption. Stakeholders may express diverging views, with proponents likely emphasizing the economic benefits and restoration of bay scallops, while opponents may raise alarms about the ecological impacts of allowing mechanical harvesting and increased fishing efforts in environmentally sensitive areas.
Resolve, Directing the Department of Marine Resources to Evaluate How to Effectively Allow 2 Licensed Individuals to Fish for Lobsters or Scallops from a Single Vessel
Renames "Delaware Bay" to "Bay of New Jersey"; directs all State departments and agencies to update official publications, signage, websites, and materials to reflect the new designation and notify relevant federal entities.