28 



[Recess taken.] 



Mr. Saxton. We are ready to go on here with our second panel. 

 Our second panel consists of our good friend, Tom Fote who is 

 President of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, Big Wheel but 

 not president; Mr. Ray Bogan from the United Boatmen of New 

 Jersey and New York; Mr. Gil Radonski from the American 

 Sportfishing Association, and Karter Larson of Barnegat Light re- 

 cently finished his tour of duty in the Armed Service, and I want 

 to say Navy. 



Mr. Larson. Air Force. 



Mr. Saxton. In the United States Air Force, and part of the fam- 

 ily operation which takes place commercial fishing out of Barnegat 

 Light, commercial meaning headboat and other, yes? 



Mr. Larson. Mostly commercial. 



Mr. Saxton. Mostly commercial. So Mr. Fote, if you would like 

 to start. During the break somebody came up to me and said there 

 were lots of bluefish along the coast until the bunker boats took all 

 the bunker and the bluefish were left without food. Please com- 

 ment on that among the other things that you decided are impor- 

 tant to say to us. Please go ahead. 



STATEMENT OF TOM FOTE, JERSEY COAST ANGLERS 

 ASSOCIATION 



Mr. Fote. You will have to indulge me a little bit, I have a bad 

 cold and my voice might be a little quiet today. The Jersey Coast 

 Anglers Association would like to thank Congressman James 

 Saxton for holding this field hearing on bluefish in Toms River and 

 Congressman Frank Pallone for attending this hearing. JCAA is 

 aware that both Congressmen understand the importance of blue- 

 fish for the citizens of New Jersey. 



Do bluefish play an important role in the fisheries industry of 

 New Jersey? Absolutely yes. Just look at the statistics and you will 

 understand that bluefish are important to the recreational and 

 commercial fishing industries. 



Most salt water anglers, as children made their first catch on 

 snapper blues. They were abundant, easy to catch and provided an 

 immediate, positive reward for the child's' effort. Tackle store own- 

 ers know that fishing for bluefish creates business for them. 



The nature of bluefishing creates the need for new lures and new 

 tackle. Bluefish can empty an anglers' tacklebox faster than any 

 other species. It may be frustrating to the anglers but it is cer- 

 tainly good for business. 



In the 60's, 70's and 80's, bluefishing was the bread and butter 

 experience for the party, charter and private boat owners as well 

 as surf fishermen. Companies such as Ultimus Lures got their start 

 making bluefish lures. I often spent September, October and sunny 

 November days on my boat chasing bluefish. 



With the decline of the bluefish stocks in New Jersey, these in- 

 dustries, tackle shops, tackle manufacturers, party and charter 

 boats and marinas, have suffered economically. No other species 

 has filled that gap. As the bluefish declined, so did these indus- 

 tries. 



Having expressed my concern about the economic impact of the 

 decline in the bluefish stock, let me now address the questions sub- 



