Governor, Cabinet proclaim May 16-22 National Safe Boating Week in Florida
St Petersburg, FL -(FishNLand.com)-Although Florida’s boating season never really ends, National Safe Boating Week and Memorial Day weekend mark the traditional beginning around the country. On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Crist and Cabinet members passed a resolution proclaiming May 16-22 National Safe Boating Week in Florida.
At the Cabinet meeting, Col. Julie Jones, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement, and Rear Adm. Steve Branham, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Seventh District, used the recognition of National Safe Boating Week to speak about their combined boating safety efforts in Florida.
Jones expressed excitement that state boating fatalities dropped 30 percent from 2007 to 2008 but warned that much work remains.
“Friends and families of the victims remind us daily that we still have a lot of work to do,” Jones said.
“Always, always, wear your life jacket and ‘Boat Responsibly,’” Branham said, echoing a safe-boating motto.
He also stressed the importance of filing a float plan, having a working VHF marine radio on board and purchasing a distress signal known as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, or EPIRB.
Both Jones and Branham encouraged all boaters to take time to concentrate on executing simple, but effective steps to make their experience safer, like staying focused while operating a boat and getting one of the new, comfortable, inflatable life jackets – and wearing it all the time while on the water.
Branham demonstrated the user-friendly features of inflatable life jackets for the governor and Cabinet members.
“We live in the greatest boating state in the nation,” Jones said, “and we intend to see that it just gets better, and safer – for all of us to enjoy.
“The FWC recognizes National Safe Boating Week as part of its commitment to continue making boating safer in Florida,” Jones noted. “The best ways to avoid boating accidents and fatalities is for the captain to pay attention and for all aboard to wear life jackets.”
About:
The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is a part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Our statewide research programs focus on obtaining the data and information that managers of fish, wildlife, and ecosystem resources need to sustain Florida’s precious natural resources. Our scientific activities rely heavily on many collaborative partnerships with other government, academic, non-profit, and private fish and wildlife research institutions. Most of the programs at FWRI are funded from user fees—such as hunting and fishing licenses—specialty license plates, or grants.
New Jersey Trout Stocking Schedule Is Revised
NJ Trout Fishing
Waters scheduled to be stocked on May 22 will now receive their allotments of trout either on Tuesday, May 19; Wednesday, May 20, or Thursday, May 21. Other stocking already scheduled for May 19, 20 and 21 remains unchanged.
The Big Flat Brook, Musconetcong River, Pequest River and the Wanaque River will be open to fishing on their rescheduled stocking days. However, in accordance with the State Fish Code, those same waters will still be closed to fishing on the original stocking date of May 22 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For all other regulations affecting trout-stocked waters, anglers are reminded to check the Freshwater Issue of the Fish & Wildlife Digest, available at all license agents and online at www.njfishandwildlife.com.
Following is the revised stocking schedule:
Tuesday, May 19
Sussex & Passaic Counties
Clinton Reservoir
Wanaque River
Wawayanda Creek
Wawayanda Lake
Hunterdon, Morris & Somerset Counties
Raritan River S/B
Warren County
Lopatcong Creek
Pohatcong Creek
Wednesday, May 20
Morris, Hunterdon & Warren Counties
Musconetcong River
Somerset County
Peapack Brook
Raritan River N/B
Hunterdon County
Capoolong Creek
Mulhockaway Creek
Rockaway Creek S/B
Spruce Run Creek
Hunterdon and Mercer Counties
D&R Feeder Canal
Lockatong Creek
Passaic County
Pequannock River
Ringwood Brook
Sheppard’s Lake
Thursday, May 21
Sussex County
Big Flat Brook
Little Flat Brook
Lake Aeroflex
Lubbers Run
Sussex & Warren Counties
Pequest River
Paulinskill River
Pond Brook
Bergen County
Ramapo River
Saddle River Upper
Morris County
Black River
India Brook
