Converse up TODAY! Public feedback on proposed administration choices will probably be accepted through e mail to feedback@asmfc.org by TODAY, December 10.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Fee (ASMFC)’s Striped Bass Administration Board has scheduled a particular assembly on Dec. 16. to contemplate stricter laws, together with seasonal closures, to extend the likelihood of rebuilding the overfished inventory by 2029. (ASMFC held an informational webinar on the striped bass choices on Dec. 5. A recording of the webinar could be discovered right here.)
Sadly, not one of the measures managers are contemplating are very best. A no-target closure can be unimaginable to implement and devastating to constitution captains, deal with outlets, and fishing companies. Seasonal no-harvest closures could be essential to rebuild the inventory, however the proposed seasons which were evaluated are unfair and lack fairness amongst states.
I stay deeply involved in regards to the long-term implications for the striper fishery, as six consecutive years of poor spawns will severely impression the inventory within the coming years. Leisure anglers have led the best way on conservation, overwhelmingly supporting regulatory measures like the present restrictive slot restrict and voluntary efforts to cut back launch mortality. Additional decreasing harvest alternatives for leisure anglers is a choice to not be taken evenly, as it’ll undoubtedly trigger ache for some for-hire operations and impression fishing-related companies. Nonetheless, in the case of striped bass, a largely catch-and-release fishery with outsized significance to Atlantic coast leisure fishermen and the economic system, assembly conservation objectives to keep up a strong fishery have to be the precedence.
I urge the striped bass administration board to discover a truthful, equitable path to rebuild the overfished striper inventory.
Learn On The Water’s remark letter under:
December 9, 2024
Expensive Ms. Franke and the ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Administration Board:
Thanks for the chance to touch upon the 2025 administration actions being mentioned on the December 16, 2024 Striped Bass Administration Board assembly.
I’m the Writer/Proprietor of On The Water Media, which incorporates On The Water Journal, On The Water’s Angling Adventures TV present, the Striper Cup event, and the StriperFest occasion. On The Water was launched on Cape Cod in 1996 and has grown for the previous 28 years to cowl all waters the place Atlantic striped bass swim. Like so many different fishing- and tourism-related companies in our area, our existence relies upon upon the abundance of striped bass.
There’s maybe no higher instance of the financial significance of an ample striper inventory than our Striper Cup. The 5-month event started with a conventional weigh-in format in 2006, however participation grew sharply after we transformed to a catch-and-release format in 2016. It has attracted help from nationwide sponsors and grown to over 5,000 contributors.
I applaud the Board for its dedication to rebuilding the Atlantic striped bass inventory by 2029. Nonetheless, I stay deeply involved in regards to the long-term implications for the Spawning Inventory Biomass (SSB), as six consecutive years of poor spawns will severely impression the inventory within the coming years.
Leisure anglers have led the best way on conservation, overwhelmingly supporting regulatory measures like the present restrictive slot restrict and voluntary efforts to cut back launch mortality. Additional decreasing harvest alternatives for leisure anglers is a choice to not be taken evenly, as it’ll undoubtedly trigger ache for some for-hire operations and impression fishing-related companies. Nonetheless, in the case of striped bass, a largely catch-and-release fishery with outsized significance to Atlantic coast leisure fishermen and the economic system, assembly conservation objectives to keep up a strong fishery have to be the precedence.
Enter on Administration Choices
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I Strongly Oppose No-Concentrating on Closures
Giant-scale no-targeting closures aren’t a viable choice as they’re just about unenforceable. They might trigger important financial impression to for-hire captains, the boating trade, gear producers, deal with outlets, and tourism.
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I Urge Equal Industrial and Leisure Reductions
If the board decides on a % discount, it have to be equal throughout sectors. Industrial reductions should come off harvest and never unused quota.
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I Assist Equitable No-Harvest Closures
Whereas decreasing angler entry to reap striped bass is a sacrifice, no-harvest closures are strongly most popular over no-targeting closures. Nonetheless, such closures have to be equitable and never unfairly burden anglers in states with shorter fishing seasons, decrease harvest charges, and fewer entry to the fishery.
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I Assist Sustaining or Narrowing the Slot Restrict
I help both sustaining the slot restrict or narrowing it if mandatory to cut back removals. I’m involved by proposals to decrease the slot restrict to focus on immature fish as smaller striped bass are extra accessible to anglers, doubtless leading to elevated removals.
Thanks on your consideration of my feedback.
Chris Megan
On The Water Media
