WASHINGTON -- Efforts to designate a canyon off the Maryland coast as a national marine sanctuary that could have restricted fishing areas near South Jersey have been dropped.
The National Aquarium announced it was withdrawing its request for the Baltimore Canyon, an area located less than 70 miles from the Maryland coast, to become the nation's first urban sanctuary.
"Although we believe national marine sanctuary designation would provide an unprecedented opportunity to protect a national treasure and inspire young minds, we have determined that the timing is not right for this nomination," said John Racanelli, chief executive of the aquarium, which is located in Baltimore.
Feds asked to back off fishing limits
The request drew opposition from members of the New Jersey congressional delegation, who said the designation could restrict or ban fishing off the South Jersey coast.
"This is a big win for our fishing industry and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to protect New Jersey's fishermen," said Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3rd Dist.).
MacArthur and Reps. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.) and Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) were among the House members who wrote to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in opposition to the request.
"National marine sanctuaries do not contain any legal protections for the fishermen who have been fishing the waters surrounding the sanctuaries for decades," the lawmakers wrote.
Environmentalists, though, said a marine sanctuary would protect the area from projects such as offshore drilling or a liquified natural gas facility. President Donald Trump has called for removing federal restrictions on oil and gas drilling and has called climate change a hoax.
"Marine sanctuaries are like underwater natural parks," said Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter. "The whole purpose is to protect the entire ecosystem.
In addition, it helps guard against overfishing, which could lead to stringent limits or even a moratorium on fishing, he said.
"What's good about marine sanctuaries is they allow the fish to recover," Tittel said.
LoBiondo also is in the midst of a dispute with another agency. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission told New Jersey fishermen they could fill three bags a day of summer flounder at least 19 inches long, compared with the 2016 limits of five bags of fish at least 18 inches in length.
"It is absolutely absurd that New Jersey fishermen are arbitrarily subjected to these draconian cuts when those from neighboring states are free to pillage our waters at more favorable limits," LoBiondo said.
LoBiondo was joined in his opposition by MacArthur, U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (D-N.J) and Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6th Dist.).
"These cuts are a body blow to the recreational fishing industry in New Jersey," Pallone said. "Too many anglers and their families are going to suffer because of them."
A commission spokeswoman, Tina Berger, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The state's recreational fishing industry contributes over $1 billion to the New Jersey economy and directly supports 20,000 jobs, Pallone said.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
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