By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Catch waves? Catch fish? Catch a break.
If adopted into law, Bill A4816 would exempt New Jersey anglers and surfers from wearing municipal beach tags.
As a year-round surfer, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon is well aware of the ongoing debate over whether beach badges are required for surfers and fishermen to access the ocean. Now she’s taking steps to clear up any confusion for beach towns, surfers and anglers by emphasizing a 2019 law that exempts them from needing beach tags.
“It’s been a longstanding conversation in the surfing and fishing communities,” Donlon said. “This isn’t a new issue.”
Last week, Donlon (D-Monmouth) introduced Bill A4816, which aims to prevent municipalities from requiring beach tags or admission passes for access to the wet sand below the high tide line, specifically for surfers and fishermen. She cited a 2019 law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, that allows access to tidal waters and the ocean without a badge for these activities. However, she acknowledged inconsistencies in how different towns enforce this law.
“The motivation behind this bill is to make the law clearer,” explained Donlon, who has been surfing the Jersey Shore for nearly two decades and moved to the area largely because of her love for surfing.
The bill seeks to prevent future misunderstandings. According to Donlon, surfers and fishermen don’t need a beach badge if they’re simply crossing the beach to access the water. However, if someone plans to spend the day on the beach and surf as part of that, then a badge may still be required.
Recent events have reignited the beach badge debate, particularly after an August incident in Belmar, where a confrontation between a surfer and police led to the surfer’s arrest. Liam Mahoney was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice after being handcuffed on the sand. He was also ticketed for not having a beach badge, which sparked outrage in the community.
“This situation in Belmar has prompted a broader conversation about beach access,” Donlon said. “But this bill is more focused on clarifying the existing law and ensuring it’s communicated more effectively.”
The Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization that advocates for ocean protection and public access to beaches, supports Donlon’s efforts to clarify the rules. Matt Grove, the foundation’s Mid-Atlantic policy director, noted that the varying beach access rules across the Jersey Shore highlight the need for clearer, consistent enforcement that aligns with the Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations and the public trust doctrine.
With the potential for free access on the horizon, the tides could soon be turning for New Jersey’s surfers and anglers. Whether this bill rides the wave of support or gets washed out remains to be seen.
