Allows use of fish pumps to remove menhaden from purse seines in certain circumstances.

This bill (A2404) would amend New Jersey law to allow fishing vessels licensed to catch menhaden for bait or human food to use specific "wet pumps" (capsule or centrifugal design) for removing menhaden from purse seine nets. The pumps must have their discharge hose positioned at or below the vessel's water line to minimize excess aeration of surface waters. Currently, the law only permitted removal by brailing or dip net and prohibited having a pump on board unless it was covered and secured. This change directly affects commercial fishing vessels operating in New Jersey waters under menhaden fishing licenses.