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Bill > A840
NJ A840
NJ A840Revises law establishing individual transferable quota system for menhaden purse seine fishery.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would amend P.L.2019, c.503, which requires the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee, to establish an individual transferable quota (ITQ) system for the menhaden purse seine fishery. Under the current law, each ITQ is to be allocated based upon a qualified vessel's rounded percentage share of the average of its menhaden landings in 2014 through 2018, inclusive, except that no qualified vessel would be allocated an ITQ in an amount less than 200,000 pounds. This bill would amend the law to provide that the ITQ would be based upon a qualified vessel's rounded percentage share of the average of its menhaden landings in 2011 through 2018, inclusive. This bill would provide that an ITQ is based upon eight years of landings, rather than only five. The bill also provides that if it is enacted into law while that year's menhaden purse seine fishery is open and all qualified vessels have harvested less than their individual allocation for the fishing season as calculated pursuant to pursuant to P.L.2019, c.503, then each qualified vessel would be subject to their individual ITQ established pursuant to P.L.2019, c.503 for the remainder of the fishing season open when the bill is enacted into law.
AI Summary
This bill amends existing law to adjust how individual transferable quotas (ITQs), which are specific amounts of fish that can be caught and traded, are calculated for the menhaden purse seine fishery. Currently, ITQs are based on a vessel's average landings from 2014 through 2018, but this bill proposes to expand that calculation period to include landings from 2011 through 2018, effectively basing the quotas on eight years of data instead of five. Additionally, if the bill becomes law while the menhaden purse seine fishery is open and all eligible vessels have caught less than their allocated amounts for the season, then those vessels will be subject to their ITQs as established by the current law for the remainder of that fishing season.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A840 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/840_I1.HTM |
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