Striped Bass Again

[dales529]

https://www.bayjournal.com/news/fisheries/striped-bass-emergency-catch-limit-extended/article_cd5033d0-3793-11ee-9ac3-17a5690fcd95.html

[jbigtime]

It was explained to me, hopefully correctly, that NJ is the only state on the east coast that doesn’t have a commercial striped bass season. If they really wanted to protect the breeding stock, wouldn’t it make sense for the other states to act the same?

[Gerry Zagorski]

It was explained to me, hopefully correctly, that NJ is the only state on the east coast that doesn’t have a commercial striped bass season. If they really wanted to protect the breeding stock, wouldn’t it make sense for the other states to act the same?

You are correct, no commercial fishing for Stripers in NJ but there is everywhere else... This is why NJ kept the recreational bonus tag fish since the commercial quota was transferred us and, the bonus program is 1 fish at 24 - 28 so we are not targeting the larger breeding fish.


Not sure what happened to the commercial quotas in other states when the emergency recreational 31" or less measures was put in place. Did they get a quota reduction ? If not they should and I think they still can take fish up to 38" while we are at 31". However the "science and data" points to the overwhelming majority of the fish being removed are a result of recreational fishing both in landings and the morality for catch and release assumptions. See chart below.

Here in NJ our representative Adam Nowalsky fought to postpone the emergency measures to no avail.

"Then NJ took the spotlight. NJ Board members began questioning the validity and need to take immediate action. This culminated with NJ’s Legislative Proxy, Adam Nowalsky, offering a motion to postpone this action until the summer meeting. Nothing says emergency action like one state trying to postpone that emergency action. One of the reasons for the motion was lack of public comment or even awareness that this was on the table, which is admittedly a fair one. However, Representative Sarah Peak, MA’s Legislative Proxy, had the perfect rebuttal: based on her reading of public comment over the past few actions, the public supports strong, swift action, and in her opinion “the public would applaud this.” Thank you, Rep. Peak—we do support this unprecedented action, and a strong segment of the public is applauding. The motion to postpone failed 2 (NJ and DE) to 14"

More discussion here https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/asmfc-spring-2023-meeting-recap-historic-action-on-striped-bass-part-1-2/

[Broad Bill]

I think the mistake the ASMFC made is they should have made the slot 28' - 28' 1/16 when they had a chance:o

[tautog]

You can walk on striped bass from NJ north to Maine. Meanwhile whiting are still no size limit, no bag limit, and no season. Ling also need protection with the overly strict limits on sea bass.