Barnegat Light fishermen probed underwater canyons and discovered tilefish 40 years ago and since then the tilefish has been demanding seafood. As the demand of tilefish rises, the Barnegat Light fishermen are now trying to recapture part of the fishery they pioneered.
The regulators are proposing rules for an individual fishing quota or IFQ system that would assign shares of the tilefish stock to commercial fishermen based on their past catches. Recreational tilefish anglers have separate new rules. Mike Paris, fisherman, said that the stock of tilefish is not very impressive. He says, “I’ve never seen a catch more than 1,000 pounds.” According to him even the fish boats for tilefish are only three or four in the state of New Jersey. John DePersenaire of the Recreational Fishing Alliance added, “This is a stable, self-limiting fishery.”
Barnegat Light captains based at Viking Village and Lighthouse Marina have witnessed that majority of the industry shift north to Montauk on Long Island. In 2001 the original tilefish management plan was adopted that recognizes the participation of Viking Village as a historic dock and participants, informed Rick Marks, who spoke for the Historical Tilefish Coalition at the hearing.
Dan Mears, local captain, said that a reallocation could provide enough tilefish for local captains to build business plans and make up for the other species they’ve lost access to because of tightening federal regulations. The ultimate decision for quota will betaken by the council. It is said that the original plan need some revision of the allocations at some point to include everyone involved from 1984 to 1999. Marks said this si only way to strike a true deal. He also said that if this happen then the active fishermen are worried they will have to buy or lease shares to keep fishing if everyone is included.
