New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has discontinued the tracking of record catches for several fish species, some of which had last been updated decades ago.
These fish are no longer cataloged by the Department of Environmental Protection, so these are essentially permanent records.
Here is the list of species, along with the last recorded catches and recorded locations.
- Barracuda: 27 lbs 8 oz, 1991, Gary Szilagyi, Off Cape May
- Blowfish, N. Puffer: 1 lb 14 oz, 1987, Virginia Patten, Delaware Bay
- Blowfish (other): 9 lbs 10 oz, 1992, Kevin Steward, Delaware Bay
- Cutlass Fish: 6 lbs 11 oz, 2002, Mike Green, Mud Hole
- Lobster, American: 15 lbs 3 oz, 2003, William Sharp, Almirante Wreck
- Mackerel, Chub: 1 lb 9 oz, 2002, Kathleen Leso, Off Spring Lake
- Shark, Sandbar: 168 lbs 8 oz, 1987, John Norton, Little Egg Inlet
- Shark, Sand Tiger: 246 lbs, 1989, Richard Brown, Delaware Bay
- Shark, White: 759 lbs, 1988, Jim Kneipp, Off Pt. Pleasant
- Stargazer, Northern: 13 lbs, 2000, Jim Ludt, Off Cape May
- Striped Bass: 78 lbs 8 oz, 1982, Al McReynolds, Atlantic City
- Striped Bass, Hybrid: 13 lbs 2 oz, 2004, James R. Fowler, Off Brigantine
- Sturgeon, Atlantic: 82 lbs, 1994, Glen Lasco, Sandy Hook
- Tarpon: 53 lbs, 1982, Jim Klaczkiewicz, Off Sea Bright
The decision to stop tracking these records could reflect various factors, such as changes in fishing regulations or the populations of these species. It is unclear at this time why the Division has chosen to make this change.
