Press Releases
Van Drew Starts Task Force to Increase Public Access to Recreational Sports Fishing at AC Jetties
Washington, DC,
June 4, 2019
(May’s Landing, NJ) – Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s Atlantic City Jetty Access Task Force held its first meeting to discuss options available for solving the problem of jetty access in the Absecon Inlet. The task force was formed in response to jetties being difficult to access after construction of the new boardwalk in Atlantic City. “The task force’s goal is to overcome the technical and funding challenges in furthering access to popular fishing areas in Atlantic County through boardwalk infrastructure renovations. Some areas require you to climb over rails and walk down thin wooden boards to rocks 10 feet down. It just isn’t safe,” said Congressman Jeff Van Drew. “This is a doable project and we came up with a lot of new ideas. Access points to the jetties will allow fishermen an easier opportunity for all fishing purposes and preserve Atlantic City’s legacy as regional fishing destination.” New Jersey state legislature recently passed a bill that codifies the “public-trust doctrine,” that states all people have a right to enjoy tidal waters and shorelines. While people can fish from the Boardwalk, the fish they are seeking such as striped bass, tautog, and flounder are more numerous further out and near the rocks. In 2016, a petition headed by Feliciano collected more than 1,000 signatures asking the city to give fishermen access to the jetties from the new seawall. Noel Feliciano, owner of One Stop Bait and Tackle and Recreational Fishing Advocate, who is a member of the task force said, “We are trying to do something good for the Atlantic City Economy, outside of just casinos. We are surrounded by water, which is something Vegas doesn’t have. We have one of the best fishing spots in the State of New Jersey here with the jetties. Congressman Van Drew is doing a phenomenal job to get this done for tourists and locals.” Fishing is a main economic resource in South Jersey and brings in hundreds of tourists each year. According to the NJ Bureau of Marine Fisheries, New Jersey has ranked 5th among all coastal states in retail sales for sport fishing bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars each year. New Jersey recreational fishing employment industry brings in an estimated 10,000 jobs for residents per year. These jetties will also be a very useful and necessary addition to the local infrastructure for the sport and recreational fishing communities. ### |
