A 840 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Revises law establishing individual transferable quota system for menhaden purse seine fishery.

This bill establishes an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system for New Jersey's menhaden purse seine fishery, directly affecting commercial fishermen using purse seine nets. It allocates 95% of the state's menhaden catch quota to purse seine vessels (based on their historical landings from 2011-2018) and 5% to other gear types combined. The law also restricts purse seine fishing to daylight hours only, prohibits weekend/holiday fishing, and requires the commissioner to close seasons when quotas are reached, with public notice via email. The ITQ system mandates that quota shares remain fixed for each vessel but adjust in pounds annually based on total state quota changes.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Gerry Scharfenberger
Gerry Scharfenberger
RRepublican
NJ
13