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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2006

Contact: Darlene Yuhas    (609) 984-1795
               Elaine Makatura (609) 292-2994

LANDLOCKED SALMON ARRIVES IN NEW JERSEY

(06/38) TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa
P. Jackson today announced that landlocked salmon are being stocked in two
New Jersey freshwater lakes for the first time in more than 50 years.

"For countless anglers, the opportunity to catch this hard-fighting sport
fish close to home is a dream come true," Commissioner Jackson said. "We're
excited about bringing this species back to New Jersey's waters."

The DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife this afternoon released more than
1,000 salmon into Lake Wawayanda at Wawayanda State Park and another 400
fish into Lake Aeroflex at Kittatinny Valley State Park. The waters, both in
Sussex County, are among only a few deep lakes in New Jersey with suitable
year-round habitat for cold-water fish such as landlocked salmon and trout.

These spring yearlings, which are the lake-dwelling variety of Atlantic
salmon, are free surplus from the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.
Hatched from eggs taken from mature females, the salmon are now 1½ years old
and measure nearly 8 inches.

Native to eastern Canada and Maine, landlocked salmon have been successfully
introduced into suitable waters in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and
New York. Salmon were stocked in several New Jersey waters more than a
half-century ago, and the historical state record for landlocked salmon is
an 8-pound fish caught from Lake Aeroflex in 1951.

The salmon initially will feed on aquatic insects. As they reach 12 inches
toward summer's end, the salmon will shift to a diet of alewives, which are
plentiful in both lakes. Regulations allow anglers to keep two salmon per
day at 12 inches or more, giving anglers opportunities this fall and winter
to catch fish that commonly range from 12 inches to 17 inches and
occasionally even larger ones, which typically weigh about 3 pounds.

Fish and Wildlife will maintain the landlocked salmon populations by
releasing annually spring yearlings from Massachusetts. Though mature salmon
may migrate into the inlets and outlets and attempt to spawn, it is unlikely
that natural reproduction would produce enough fish to sustain the
fisheries.

Both Lake Wawayanda, which is 80 feet deep, and the 101-foot-deep Lake
Aeroflex (also known as New Wawayanda Lake), currently are stocked with
brown trout and rainbow trout and managed to provide good trout fisheries
through the holdover trout lakes regulation.

Landlocked salmon are closely related to brown trout, and anglers may have
difficulty telling them apart. Because size and creel limits differ for
salmon and trout, anglers should know how to identify them and, to comply
with regulations, quickly release salmon smaller than 12 inches.

The most obvious differences between salmon and brown trout can be seen in
the head and tail. A salmon's tail is forked, for example, and a brown
trout's tail is square. Posters detailing the characteristics are
prominently displayed at each lake, and fliers are available in the park
offices.

Both state parks have boat ramps and ample parking. Boat rentals are also
available seasonally at Lake Wawayanda. Only electric motors are permitted
at both lakes. A park entrance fee is charged at Wawayanda State Park from
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There is no fee to launch boats at
Lake Aeroflex. Lake Wawayanda is open to fishing from dawn to dusk, and
fishing is allowed on Lake Aeroflex 24 hours per day.

For more information, visit www.fishandwildlife.com or call Wawayanda State
Park at (973) 853-4462 or Kittatinny Valley State Park at (973) 786-6445.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2006

Contact: Darlene Yuhas    (609) 984-1795
                Elaine Makatura (609) 292-2994

DEP CLOSES SECTIONS OF BAY AND OCEAN BEACHES TO PROTECT RARE MIGRATORY
SHOREBIRDS

(06/37) TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa
P. Jackson today announced the temporary closure of several beaches both on
the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to protect critical feeding and
resting areas for threatened and endangered migratory shorebirds.

Effective immediately, certain sections of Delaware Bay beaches will be
closed through June 7 to allow populations of shorebirds, particularly the
rapidly declining red knot, to feed undisturbed. Every year, the red knots,
a threatened species, stop on bay beaches to feed on the fat-rich eggs of
the horseshoe crab and gain the weight they need to successfully complete
their migration to breeding grounds in the Arctic. Various beaches have been
closed seasonally since 2003.

Closings on the Delaware Bay affect Gandys Beach, Fortescue Beach and
Raybins Beach, all in Downe Township; Moores Beach in Maurice River
Township; Reeds Beach, Kimbles Beach, Pierces Point, Rutgers Beach, Norburys
Landing, Cooks Beach, Highs Beach and Sunray Beach, all in Middle Township;
and Villas Beach in Lower Township.

On the Atlantic Ocean, the northeast end of the Malibu Beach Wildlife
Management Area in Egg Harbor Township and Stone Harbor Point/Champagne
Island in Stone Harbor Borough/Middle Township, located on Ocean Drive west
of Longport, is closed to all access now through Oct. 15.

The beach and sod banks at the northwest end of the Wildlife Management Area
are critical habitats for other rare shorebirds, including the piping
plover, a federally endangered species, and the American Oystercatcher.

The southwest end of the Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area will remain
open to the public. Dogs will be permitted at the southwest end provided
they are leashed and under control at all times. People who walk their dogs
on this section of beach must clean up after their pets Access and parking
are available at the southwest end of the WMA at the Cape May
County-operated parking area adjacent to the fishing pier along Ocean Drive.

The closed areas of the beaches will be marked with printed signs and roped
off from the end of the street to the water's edge. DEP staff and volunteers
will be on hand at most beaches to help the public learn more about
shorebirds, horseshoe crabs and the importance of enabling the birds to feed
undisturbed. Maps depicting the closed areas are available on the DEP's
Division of Fish and Wildlife Web site at:
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/beachcloz06map.htm.

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