Tag Archives: Sandy Hook Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Controversial National Marine Sanctuary Proposed for Sandy Hook Region

Rik van Hemmen, a marine engineer based in Red Bank, has proposed to turn a corner of northeastern Monmouth County into a national marine sanctuary. The sanctuary, tentatively called the Sandy Hook Bay National Marine Sanctuary, would stretch from the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers and around Sandy Hook and the Sandy Hook Bay. However, Monmouth County fishermen are vehemently opposed to the idea, which they say would very likely result in restrictions or even bans on fishing and clamming in the Sandy Hook region. “We have all federal, local and state layers of protection. The marine sanctuary doesn’t make it any stronger. All it does is, it’s going to restrict traditional user groups such as recreational and commercial fishermen, duck hunters, clammers, etc.” Jim Donofrio, director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, told the APP. Read the rest here 07:06

Sandy Hook Bay National Marine Sanctuary proposal pounded by wave after wave of criticism

The main proponent of a “marine sanctuary” that would include some 12,500 acres of northeastern Monmouth County waters found himself pounded by wave after wave of criticism Wednesday night. With 75 or so commercial and recreational fishermen, clammers, hunters and others packed into a basement meeting room at the Red Bank Public Library, and a comparable number turned away due to crowding, maritime historian Rik Van Hemmen got a cold reception for his proposal for a Sandy Hook Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which he hopes will win federal approval. Read the rest here 08:17