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Mazzeo Bill to Boost Protections for NJ Wildlife & Natural Resources Advanced by Assembly Panel

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo (D-Atlantic) to enter New Jersey into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact to better protect and manage the state’s wildlife and natural resources was released Thursday by an Assembly panel.

The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC) is an agreement among participating states to provide reciprocal sharing of information regarding hunting, fishing, and trapping violations.

The IWVC requires participating states to report wildlife violation convictions to compact members. When New Jersey receives notices of violations of hunters, fishers and trappers from other states, the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife would review the conviction and determine if the violation meets the requirements for suspension in New Jersey.

“New Jersey is at its best when we have the best information available. Joining the rest of the nation in the IWVC allows us to better crack down on those taking advantage of our hunting, fishing and trapping laws while respecting those sportsmen who are doing everything right,” said Mazzeo. “I am incredibly proud of the broad organizational support that this legislation has received. The heart of this compact is about information sharing and there’s no reason why New Jersey is currently just one of two states not involved – we are way past due to join.”

The bill as received broad support from all walks of the outdoor community including the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, the New Jersey Conservation Officers Association, the New Jersey Recreational Fishing Alliance, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, The Sierra Club, The Humane Society of New Jersey and Environment New Jersey.

The bill (A-2763) would enter New Jersey in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. New Jersey is one of just two states in the nation that have not yet joined the compact. When New Jersey receives notices of violations of hunters, fishers and trappers from other states, the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection would review the conviction and determine if the violation meets the requirements for suspension in New Jersey.

The bill was released by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.