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Marine Advisory Service

Total Shore Environment Is Lab For MAS

« wiTutia-jn*. r in <1 unti \nai nmuMri m * ape inav i oiiiiiy. inf* Marine Advisory Servive assists comiiiercial fishermen with information in a variety of areas. -Photo by John Schaeffer

COURT HOUSE - A commercial fisherman wants to know where he can find swordfish off the New Jersey coast Meanwhile, a shorearea homeowner wants to build a dock on his property. What permits does he gave to get for the jOtT 5 - A homemaker has heard that she can tell how fresh a fish is by looking at its eye. but what does she look

for?

The answers these people and others like them need about New Jersey's ocean environment are available from the Marine Advisory Service, a small group of experts organized just three years ago and affiliated with Ru'gers University Working through the New Jersey Cooperative Extension Service of the Stale University's. Cook College, the agents and specialists of the Advisory Service serve as a link between users of the state's marine resources - including New Jersey's 4,500 commercial fishermen — and researchers at Rutgers and elsewhere. Tlie information the Advisory Service conveys is varied. It ranges from a recent major study of the fuel needs of the state's fishing fleets to tips on how to avoid sunburn, but it's all geared to the combination of tourists, vacationers and com-

mercial users who together make the sea and the area near it New Jersey’s second largest industry. Administratively, the Advisory Service is divided between Rutgers and the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium, an association of 22 colleges and universities in New

Jersey and one — Lehigh — in Pennsylvania The consortium administers New Jersey’s Sea Grant Program, one of the federally funded research, education and advisory service programs operating in America's 34 costal and Great Lakes states.

In . addition, the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders provides matching funds to federal allocations in support of Marine agent Stewart Tweed, based at the cobnty Extension Office in Court House. Tweed is a shellfish expert and is responsible

for marine services in Cape May. Cumberland and Salem Counties. He has operated out of the Court Houge office for one year. A second marine agent/ Gef Flimlln services Ocean. Monmouth and Atlantic Counties. Both are very active with the fishing community.

“Liberal” In Many Areas Survey Shows Surprising Attitudes In Second Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC. - A predominantly liberal attitude was indicated by South Jerseyans on a U.S. Senate questionnaire distributed last spring, Second District Senator Bill Hughes said in a recent report. The questionnaire issued in ‘The Washington Report" asked South Jersey residents for their opinions on foreign affairs, defense, energy, abortion and the federal budget. Of the several thousand who responded to the questionnaire, the majority tended toward a more liberal stance on issues. The majority of respondents approved the Ui>. action in recognizing government of Mainland China. Of those polled. 65.5 percent answered yes; 21.2 percent no, and 13.3 per-

cent not sure. In the area of energy, the question, “If in spite of conservation efforts we find we have severe and major shortage of oil. would you favor certain rationing measures” was asked. Respondents answered. coupon rationing - 65.2 percent yes; 28.0 percent no; 6.8 percent not sure; weekend gas station closings - 41.8 percent yes: 51.5 percent no; 6.7 percent not sure: odd-even day sales - 65.9 percent yes; 28.1 percent no; 6.0 percent not sure; doing nothing - 31.8 percent yes; 58.0 percent no ; 10 2 percent not sure. On the issue of abortion the majority,. 42.4 percent of respondents favored permitting abortions without restrictions as set forth by the Supreme Court. About

36.5 percent said abortion should not be permitted except when necessary to save the life of the mother, when pregnancy is due to rape or incest, or where severe physical harm will be caused to the mother if the fetus is carried to term. Another 12.5 percent though abortion should not be permitted except whetf* necessary to save the life of the mother, and 8.6 percent said abortion should not be permittM under any circumstances. • Most persons answering the questionnaire were in favor of moderation when legislating a law formulating legislation to balance the federal budget. Some 46.3 percent said they would not be satisfied with a strict law to balance the budget. These respondents did. however, want to see economic

language written into the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced budget, except in time of war or declared national emergency, or when approved by twoflRrds vote of the House. Another 41.3 percent indicated they were dissatisified-with existing budgetary procedures and favored a strict law to balance the budget except in times of war, national emergency or a two-thirds vote by the House. The remaining 12.4 percent replied they were satisfied that Congress and the President can balance the budget using existing procedures Finally, on defense, the majority of respondents - 62.5 percent favored teinstatement of the military. Another 27.1 percent were opposed and 10.4 percent weren’t sure.

They conducted the previously mentioned fuel study, a program on Coast Guard rescue procedures and safety, a workshop for fishermen on the use of the LORAN-C radar as a navigational aid and have helped with aerial mapping of portions of the coast. The agents bring fishermtti information on new fishing gear, isotherm maps to^help them track swordfiih'^nd workshops on subjects such as the exporting of fish and the availability of dock space in the face or rising land prices. They also meet regularly with fishermen, taking their questions back to researchers at Rutgers and elsewhere to help solve problems. Most of Tweed’rf service is geared to the commercial fishing industry in Cape May County, the agent said. “I think there’s potential for development here. The local fishermen realize that too," Tweed said. One crucial need in the expansion and development of the commercial fishing industry in this area is the need for an increase

of markets including export markets. Tweed said. The potential for the county’s shellfish industry which accounts for 50-60 percent of the total state mark'd is great, he added The most frequent requests for information made to the extension office are on aquaculture and commercial fishing loan assistance programs, Tweed said. The marine extension service also has compiled a tax guide for fishermen and refers them to regulatory agencies that control dock building

requirements, dc.

Extension economist

Thanksgiving Issue Distributed Tues. The Thanksgiving Issues of the Ixiwer Township lantern and Cape ‘May County Herald will be distributed Tuesday. '■ November 2*. For these ^ issues deadlines are as fotlnus: news and photos. Thursday morning: display advertising. Thursday at 3 p.m.: classified ads. Friday at noon. The paper will again be dislriimted on Wednesday. November 2X. and subsequent Wednesdays.

Marion Olsen is frequently called upon for consumer information such as how to choose the best fresh fish. Public inquiries for marine information may be made to the county office at 465-5115 or to Marine' Advisory Service Director James Murray’s office in Seaviile at 3981155. Murray divides his time between administrative responsibilities and work as a marine recreation specialist with owners and operators of marinas and other groups in the state. “Our objective is to establish ourselves as the focal point for marine information in New Jersey, and to promote the wise use and development of the state’s coastal resources," said Murray. Building a reputation among the state’s commercial fishermen has been a special emphasis. "Our priority was to be down on the docks, getting to know the fishermen and getting them to view us as people offering something of value," said Murray. "Historically, fishermen were unregulated by the government," he continued. "Now. with quotas on their catches and moves toward additional licensing. they are very much regulated, and there is ■ PageSPlpase'