09/14/2026
JCAA President Mark A. Taylor is requesting every angler attend an Emergency Zoom meeting set up to prepare a unified position urging ASMFC to protect Atlantic Menhaden in the pending Draft Addendum II. Please join the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 7 PM to review the draft position (below) and vote on the JCAA stance.
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83211032238?pwd=vS8DayIrRaW0U0a6mhBnwoHaXq6eGf.1
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https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/83211032238
Meeting ID: 832 1103 2238
Passcode: 555902
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Dear Club Representatives and Members,
JCAA Chairperson of the Forage Species Committee, Capt. Paul Eidman, along with Vice President Steve Machalaba and Committee Members, have dedicated significant time to analyze the complex Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II. They have formulated a draft position that requires review, discussion, and a final vote from JCAA Clubs.
Initially, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) News Release did not include any hearings for New Jersey. However, thanks to the prompt actions of JCAA and others, the ASMFC updated the news release on August 27, 2026. Although it is not ideal to have a virtual hearing for a state that deeply values its resources and their management, we have secured a virtual hearing date of September 22, 2026.
It is crucial for every recreational angler in New Jersey to engage in this process to ensure proper management. The decline of forage species in the ecosystem will inevitably lead to the decline of other species as well.
This Action Alert calls upon all JCAA Clubs to raise their voices. JCAA has organized an emergency Zoom meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 7 PM to review the draft position and vote on the JCAA stance. I urge you to share this vital information with all your club members and invite them to join the JCAA Zoom meeting.
Attached to this email are several documents: the Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II Draft Addendum II to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden for Public Comment - Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the ASMFC News Release regarding the hearings https://asmfc.org/events/nj-de-public-hearing-on-atlantic-menhaden-draft-addendum-ii/, the invitation to the JCAA Emergency Zoom Meeting, and the Draft Position Statement prepared by the JCAA Forage Species Committee.
Mark A. Taylor JCAA President
