We are very pleased to announce the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has chosen Fish & Wildlife’s Bureau of Law Enforcement as the recipient of the 2022 Annual Award of Excellence. The Bureau was recognized for its outstanding efforts to control illegal harvest of Atlantic striped bass from Raritan Bay and its tributaries (see attached photo).

Conservation police officers from both the inland and marine regions of the state were involved with the operation across New Jersey’s portion of the watershed. In December 2021, more than 200 summonses were issued, and more than 500 illegal striped bass were confiscated.

Efforts continued throughout the spring of 2022, when from early March to mid-May, approximately 4,000 inspections were conducted over the course of 650 patrol hours within Raritan Bay, Newark Bay, Arthur Kill, and the Hudson River. These efforts resulted in more than 300 summonses issued for violations including undersized fish, over the limit catch, fishing during the closed season, and interference with the duties of a conservation police officer.

The dedication and commitment of our officers to the enforcement of sustainable fisheries regulations is truly impressive, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.