I got this earlier today...

[JohnR]

Those netting bastages down in Jersey... I'm on a mailing list of a New Jersey tackle shop. I know that area has been fighting hard to stop the inshore netting that's going on but we don't see so much of it up here, I figured I give us northeners a peak:

This is from Betty & Nick's Bait & Tackle in Jersey...:

Gill Netters 50 - 100 yds off the Beach.
10/9/01
7:54 AM

Over the years there have always been complaints of the netters breaking the law and coming closer than the 1 mile limit. This year we have never gotten more complaints, especially in the past week, and there has never been such a reckless disregard for the law. The gill netters have taken it to a new level. This morning, they are lined up in Seaside Park, Seaside Heights and Lavallette taking everything they possibly can. If you don't think they are taking bass down to Delaware, you are really ignorant. A few anglers on the North Jetty have told me that if they reached their hands out, they could actually touch the netting boats. With the Coast Guard and Marine Police on full alert, the netter have taken full advantage of this and are just raping evrything they can get their hands on.

We would like to congratulate them on their cunning by taking advantage of this opportunity to destroy the marine population in the area. Maybe some day when we are done taking care of things overseas, we will start to clean up our own back yard. Anyone know of a good tackle shop for sale in Florida or Georgia????

John Bushell Jr.
Betty and Nicks

And a follow up message that came shortly after...

10/9/2001
9:19 AM

I just talked to Connie at the Marine Enforcement (609) 748-2050. She informed me that they can come as close to the beach as they want and that everytime they are boarded, they have no illegal catches. So once again I guess we are basically screwed. I have received so many complaints here in the shop the past week or so, I just had to check into it. I guess there's just nothing we can do.

JBJ
Betty and Nicks

That is just TOO much. Now we have a problem up here with the bunker boats that does not last long because it only takes a couple days to net them all but these Jersey guys have ALL KINDS of netting going on. Just imagine if a boat parked off the end of the canal to catch everything the tide dumps out....