New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
Last Updated: May 11, 2026
State of New Jersey
Mikie Sherrill, Governor
Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, Lieutenant Governor
Department of Environmental Protection
Ed Potosnak, Commissioner
New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife
Dave Golden, Assistant Commissioner
Joe Cimino, Administrator, Marine Resources Administration
Kristen Meistrell, Assistant Director
Ginger Kopkash, Assistant Director
Jason Hearon, Assistant Director
Russ Babb, Chief, Marine Habitat and Shellfisheries
Jeff Brust, Chief, Marine Fisheries
Shawn Crouse, Chief, Freshwater Fisheries
Pete Winkler, Chief, Land Management
Al Ivany, Chief, Information and Education
Frank T. Panico, Chief, Law Enforcement
James Oxley, Chief, Wildlife Management
Kathy Clark, Chief, Endangered and Nongame Species
Kim Springer, Chief, Business Administration
Linda DiPiano, Editor
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife is a professional environmental organization dedicated to the protection, management and wise use of the state’s fish and wildlife resources.
New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Councils
Dr. Patrick Donnelly, Chairman
Dr. Eleanor A. Bochenek
Warren (Barney) Hollinger
Greg Hueth
Walter L. Johnson, III
Joe Rizzo
Robert R. Rush, Jr.
John Tiedemann
Kevin Wark
To contact any member of the Marine Fisheries Council, please email.
Atlantic Coast Shellfish Council
Walter L. Johnson, III, Chair
George Mathis, Jr., Vice Chair
Paul Felder
Edward "Ned" Gaine
Kevin Kirk
Delaware Bay Shellfish Council
Warren (Barney) Hollinger, Chair
Stephen J. Fleetwood, Vice Chair
Richard Malinowski
Scott Sheppard
Where to Write Us
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Fish & Wildlife
MC 501-03 • P.O. Box 420 • Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
Visit the New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife website for regulations, licensing information, outdoor recreation resources, and wildlife conservation updates.
Hotlines
New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife
Report Marine, Shellfish and Finfish Violations
(609) 748-2050 or call the 24-hour DEP Hotline: 877-WARNDEP
Violators of the Marine Fisheries laws are subject to a $30–$100 per fish or $300 to $3,000 fine.
Federal Marine Fisheries Contacts
NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline
24-hour non-emergency tipline (800) 853-1964
NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement — Northeast Enforcement Division HQ
(978) 281-9249
Federal Fisheries Law Enforcement Field Offices
Wall: (732) 280-6490
Northfield: (609) 415-2941
New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife
Our Mission
To protect and manage the state’s fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term biological, recreational and economic value for all New Jerseyans.
Our Goals
- To maintain New Jersey’s rich variety of fish and wildlife species at stable, healthy levels and to protect and enhance the many habitats on which they depend.
- To educate New Jerseyans on the values and needs of our fish and wildlife and to foster a positive human/wildlife co-existence.
- To maximize the recreational and commercial use of New Jersey’s fish and wildlife for both present and future generations.
Mark Your Calendar for the Garden State Surf Fishing Classic - 35th Annual Governor's Cup!
May 17, 2026
Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park
Come celebrate the Garden State Surf Fishing Classic - 35th Annual Governor's Cup! Enjoy a great day of surf fishing with family and friends.
The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the "Governor's Award" and will have their name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park. Prizes are awarded to winners in a variety of age groups and fish species categories.
All funds raised by the tournament go toward improving beach access, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment, plus marine education and restoration projects.
The tournament is sponsored by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, NJDEP State Park Service, New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association and New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.
For more information about the tournament, visit the New Jersey State Surf Fishing Tournament page or email Karen Byrne.
