Ocean
Issues
in New Jersey
| New Jersey's waterways
and wetlands are home to 1.5 million shorebirds and more
than 50 different species of finfish and shellfish.
Annually, New Jersey generates more than $16 billion from
tourism and $2 billion from recreational and commercial
fishing revenues.
Thirty-five percent of the state's important coastal and
ocean sites tested for water quality were rated "poor" by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Twenty-four percent of New Jersey's bays are restricted
for shellfish harvesting because of bacterial pollution.
More than 25 percent of the state's growth in urban land
between 1995 and 2001 occurred in coastal counties - Monmouth,
Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May.
Seven of the state's fourteen most popular fish and shellfish
species are depleted or are being overfished; not enough
is known about an additional four species to tell their
status. |
Board of Directors
David Wilmot, Chairman
Benson Chiles, Treasurer
Carol Davis
Jack Sterne
Beth Sullivan
Contact Us
David Wilmot, Chairman
P.O. Box 1348
Capitola, CA 95010
Phone: 831.462.2539
Fax: 831.462.2542
Email: dave@oceanchampions.org
Benson Chiles, Treasurer
P.O. Box 73
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
Phone: 732.291.2163
Fax: 707.248.2163
Email: bensonchiles@gmail.com
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Announcing the Creation
of Ocean Champions Voter Fund New Jersey!
Ocean Champions Voter Fund
NJ is an effort initiated by local environmental leaders and Ocean
Champions Voter Fund to bring more attention in Trenton to the
need to protect New Jersey's coastal and ocean environment. OCVFNJ
is a brand-new bi-partisan organization that will endorse and provide
financial support to state legislative candidates who have been
(or should be) strong ocean advocates. Ocean Champions Voter Fund
is the first national organization dedicated to energizing and educating
voters to protect America's oceans.
New Jersey Has a Unique Role to Play in Protecting the Oceans
Life in New Jersey revolves around our coasts and oceans.
Fishing and hanging out at the shore are not just a key part
of New Jersey's quality of life, they're also a huge driver
of the economy. Annual combined revenues from tourism and
recreational and commercial fishing exceed $18 billion.
But these incredible benefits are challenged by persistent
threats to the health and viability of New Jersey's ocean
resources. New Jersey residents still face beach closings,
seafood health advisories, and prohibitions on shellfishing
in some areas because of pollution. In addition, pressures
on fisheries due to overfishing and ecosystem destruction
have jeopardized the future vitality of these resources. The
brown tide which plagued the Jersey Shore this summer is perhaps
the most visible example of the stresses that New Jersey coasts
and oceans are under. |
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| New Jersey now has an opportunity to seize a leadership
role in strengthening protections for its ocean resources,
rebuilding valuable fish populations, and cleaning its coastal
waters. |
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Two national blue-ribbon panels, the Pew Oceans Commission
and the United States Commission on Ocean Policy recently
reviewed the state of our country's declining ocean resources
and made recommendations to policy makers about improving
or overhauling existing ocean laws and management. |
| While a majority of the commissions' recommendations
are directed to the federal government, many can be undertaken
directly at the state level. |
Ocean advocates in New Jersey are pushing important legislation that would
rightfully establish the state's leadership role in protecting ocean resources.
The
New Jersey Coastal and Ocean Protection Council Act (A-4332), would
create a council of agency and public representatives to develop ecosystem
approaches to fix the problems facing the state's marine waters. The bill
has moved through key committees in both the House and the Senate, and
we need to keep its momentum going.
Ocean Champions
Voter Fund New Jersey Has a Unique Role to Play in New Jersey Politics
| Ocean Champions Voter Fund New Jersey is committed to seeing
legislation like the New Jersey Coastal and Ocean Protection
Council Act move forward, and so we're working to elect leaders
who will put the health of New Jersey's coasts and oceans
first. No other ocean conservation organization in New Jersey
has the ability to give direct electoral support to candidates
for public office. |
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Over the next few weeks, we'll be announcing endorsements of candidates
for the New Jersey House and Senate. All the candidates we endorse
will be committed to making New Jersey a national leader in protecting
ocean and coastal resources. Keep watching this page for endorsement
decisions, which we'll be rolling out right up to Election Day,
which this year is Tuesday, November 6.
| A
successful kick-off party! |
Thanks to those of you who came and shared our excitement
about this new organization and this unique political approach
to saving our world’s oceans!
Some of the event highlights: |
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| New Jersey native Margo Peligrino shared her experiences paddling the east coast from Miami to Maine She talked about the importance of individual leadership for gaining momentum around these issues. Think one person can’t make a difference? She garnered more than 75 media stories during her paddle!
Surfers were the focal point of the evening, and rightly
so, as they were the first group to answer the call of
OCVFNJ to participate fully in the political process.
Surfers were described as a "tribe" with a passion for
protecting the oceans.
Donor Chris Manthey challenged donors to rise to the occasion at this crucial time for our oceans. He wants to be able to tell children and his grandchildren that he did his best to help.
Chairman David Wilmot explained the unique niche we have just filled in creating this organization in New Jersey. We need to apply all political levers in seeking political change. This is how we will achieve much-needed success toward our ultimate goal – healthy oceans. |
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