WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Bush signed a bill into law last night that provides for the continued study of population crash, interactions and strategies of recovery of Atlantic bluefish stocks in New Jersey, announced Congressman Jim Saxton today.

Passed by Congress earlier this week, the funds in the amount of $790,000 extend efforts by Rutgers University researchers trying to discover the reasons for population crashes to best determine what conservation measures can be utilized to protect the species. The funding supports the existing Bluefish-Striped Bass Research Program run by Rutgers’ Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences would coordinate conservation efforts with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Efforts include collecting data from academia, federal and local governments, industry and regional fisheries sources.

“Bluefish and striped bass are important not only to Ocean County but to the entire Jersey Shore,” Saxton said. “When their numbers dwindle, the recreational fishing that is an important part of the shore economy is threatened.”

Studies will examine predator-prey interactions, stock structure and other aspects.

The funding is in what is referred to as the 2005 omnibus appropriations bill, which includes the 2005 budgets of the Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary and other departments, part of a larger appropriations bill that was approved by the House on Monday night and the Senate on Tuesday. The funds are in the U.S. Dept. of Commerce.
 
“Recreational fishing is important to the Seaside and Island Beach State Park areas, as well as Barnegat Bay, Little Egg Harbor and beyond,” Saxton said. “Fishing boosts the economy during the nine months when the shore is too cold for beach-goers. The population ups and downs must be studied so we can learn how to best manage the fisheries.”