POSSIBLE changes to STRIPED BASS fishery

[hammer4reel]

Feds weigh new limits on striped bass
Originally published: May 14, 2014 6:34 PM
Updated: May 14, 2014 10:33 PM
By MARK HARRINGTON mark.harrington@newsday.com

A federal commission is considering new limits on striped-bass fishing in eastern coastal states including New York that would reduce the harvest by around a third in one to three years, starting in January.
At a meeting in Alexandria, Virginia, this week, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission discussed a range of proposals, such as keeping the status quo, increasing the minimum allowable size of keeper bass, reducing the number of fish that can be kept, and implementing a size range for keepers to allow larger and smaller fish to reach maturity and spawn. Commercial fishing would see a proportionate reduction.
The proposed measures are aimed at stemming a decline in the female striped-bass spawning stock, which has seen steady reductions since 2004, while protecting a sizable generation of 3-year-old fish that would reach sexual maturity over the next three years, said Michael Waine, striped-bass management-plan coordinator for the commission.
"It's proactive," Waine said of the measures being considered. "The board is very aware of where this stock is. It's trying to remain proactive in managing this resource so that we can maintain a healthy status [and] we're not in a situation where we wait for a problem before we act."
States from Maine to North Carolina would be affected.
An agenda for the commission's meeting this week proposed meeting a 32 percent to 36 percent harvest reduction in a single year, beginning in January. But commissioners representing various states urged fisheries managers to devise a separate proposal to reach the target over three years, in part to reduce the impact on East Coast fishing. Striped bass are not considered overfished, the commission said.
The commission will meet again in August, put the measures out for public comment, and finalize the rules in October.
One draft option for meeting the one-year goal includes a new minimum recreational size limit for keeper bass of 33 inches, up from the current 28 inches. Others options introduce a "slot-size" limit that would restrict harvest to fish between 28 and 34 inches, or reduce to one fish the number of stripers anglers could take per day from a current two in most regions.
Under three-year options, the measures would be less severe, but would still reach the projected 30 percent reduction, Waine said.
Whichever are adopted, the rules could put a temporary crimp in commercial and recreational fishery on Long Island, where striped bass fishing enjoys a hard-core following and iconic status among aficionados from Montauk to New York City.
But even some of the most ardent striped-bass fishers support limits, chiefly to keep the fishery viable into the future.
"It's a done deal. It's going to be reduced," said Willie Young, president of the Montauk Surfcasters Association, a recreational fishing group that supports a reduction. "We've reached the threshold where they [regulators] have to act."
"We committed to the public to address this problem," said Pat Augustine, a representative for state Sen. Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) on the commission, adding that a prime objective is to increase the spawning stock.
Under current rules, anglers on shore can take one striped bass of 28 inches to 40 inches, and another over 40 inches in a season that extends from April 15 through Dec. 15. Those on charter or party boats can keep two above 28 inches.
Commercial fishing boats, which in New York are allowed to take upwards of 240 fish each year through the allocation of regulated tags to each licensed fishing captain, would see a reduction in that number, also by around a third -- in one to three years.
"It would be a big impact," said North Shore fisherman Phil Karlin of Riverhead. "A lot of people depend on that striped bass for income."
Fishing boats are already dealing with cuts in the fluke and black sea bass fishery, he said, and lobsters, once a prime fishery in the Long Island Sound, have seen sharp reductions and a closure for three months in the fall.
"It's another thing you're going to lose," Karlin said.
Under the 31 percent reduction, New York's commercial striped-bass harvest of 767,321 pounds in 2013 would be reduced next year to 529,451 pounds. Other states would face similar reductions. New York has experienced a decline in the commercial striped bass harvest since 2011, when 854,731 pounds were landed: in 2012, the number dropped to 681,399 pounds.
On the recreational side, according to ASMFC data, a 10-year record of 10.9 million pounds of striped bass taken in 2008 saw the number more than halved to 5 million in 2009, 6.9 million in 2010, 8.9 million in 2011, 6.5 million in 2012, and 6.7 million in 2013.

[hammer4reel]

I would REALLY like to see them go back to a slot limit fish.
of one fish under 28"
and one fish over.

would limit the amount of cows taken daily in the spring, allowing more broodstock.

and also allow some of the smaller fish to be kept in the fall.

[Suckafish]

I'm with you on that or two from 24 to 34 inches there better eating at that size anyways and it saves all the cows to breed for our kids to grand kids. I'm with you on something should protect the species. Thanks for posting this

[Skolmann]

would limit the amount of cows taken daily in the spring, allowing more broodstock.

and also allow some of the smaller fish to be kept in the fall.

+1

[tjd24]

+1
There is no need to kill those big fish loaded with eggs.
Take a picture and let'em go.

[Capt. Lou]

Definitely time for a change , I'm also in favor of the aforementioned slot .
Needless killing of breeders for dock photos is getting old!
Since the introduction of bunker bait fishing techniques started in sixties it took its toll on breeders. & still does today.
Back then there wasn't a limit & I'm convinced this was a mitigating factor in the lack of a Stripers during the 80's .
I know most anglers don't want to repeat that issue .

[Andreas Toy]

I agree as well! Was talking to my crew about
It today! Trying to convince paying customers
To release is tough when they fish once a year

[Garone Custom Rods]

Here is an idea get rid of the bonus tag or only make them available on a slot size fish.

[sportfishingusa]

One fish 24 to 36 inches. Bammm. Or one fish 24 and under. Lol.

[Sharkyispy]

Hammer- thanks for posting the information and update. I agree with the slot fish approach. Too many fish taken unnecessarily, and I would imagine at some point they will clamp down just like every other species.

[kmaty]

I agree as well! Was talking to my crew about
It today! Trying to convince paying customers
To release is tough when they fish once a year
__________________ good to hear you say that!!!

Here's one thing thay maybe its just my thinking but please someone explain to me how a slot at 24 or what ever would be benificial? If you take a xxinch fish when its xxinches it never grows to maturity and is dead kinda rendered useless it would never spawn now i also belive that some opinions want the slots back b.c they cant catch a bass over the 28in mark i typicaly dont eat them but im sure the little ones have to taste better than the big red meated cows but whats guna happen right off the gate is a thousand people will catch a thousand fish and bam its a mess

[Reel Class]

good to hear you say that!!!

Here's one thing thay maybe its just my thinking but please someone explain to me how a slot at 24 or what ever would be benificial? If you take a xxinch fish when its xxinches it never grows to maturity and is dead kinda rendered useless it would never spawn now i also belive that some opinions want the slots back b.c they cant catch a bass over the 28in mark i typicaly dont eat them but im sure the little ones have to taste better than the big red meated cows but whats guna happen right off the gate is a thousand people will catch a thousand fish and bam its a mess

The theory behind the slot fish is you're not killing the big breeders that are loaded with eggs.

When we had the 1 fish at 24-27.999" and one over 28" the stock was in pretty good shape - I would hope we go back in this direction also.

Dan, Fred add me to the list! Another +1

[rumster]

Here is an idea get rid of the bonus tag or only make them available on a slot size fish.

Love your idea! Really, How many fish do you need? Like 2 fish in the 15 lb - 20 lb class aren't enough per angler.

[NJ Dave]

How about all the bigger fish that you catch and have to release trying to find that "slot" sized fish.
What do you think the mortality rate is going to be on these fish?
Not saying they will all die but a mouth full of trebels, hooks in the gills, swallowed hooks from live lining, and the fact that a good portion of these fish will be mis handled and out of the water for a while when unlocking.
Im sure most will not survive so in turn all we did was injured big pregnant fish.

[FiremanJohn]

I like Maines Regulations. Keep a Fish that is awesome to eat. Only 1 but I still like it. Check it out. 1 @ 20-26 or 40 and over

http://www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational/documents/2014StripedBassRegs.pdf

[jmurr711]

2 fish over 24

[pectoralfin]

If you give up that second fish, when the population rebuilds, you will never see an increase in the limit from 1 to 2 fish. History has shown that limits have always decreased while the minimum size increases. Look at fluke, from 8 to 5 fish and they claim we overfished our limit last year (summer after Sandy) by 47% based on their highly questionable survey methods. Why can commercial fishermen keep 14" fish that we have to release? Sea bass from 25 to 15 fish. Winter flounder is still 2 fish and I wonder when that fishery is declared rebuilt so the limits can be increased. Up north, haddock went from 19" unlimited possession limits to 21" and 3 fish. And the list goes on.
For the record, I am in favor of reasonable size and possession limits. I keep one bass less than 32" and the rest are returned. But what you give up today will not be given back tomorrow.

[Michael82929]

Thanks for the good read Dan.

I think everyone is in a different circumstance that warrants a different opinion about catching size limits.

I can just control what I am going to do about the matter. Hopefully people would have the same lines of thinking.

[pectoralfin]

If you give up that second fish, when the population rebuilds, you will never see an increase in the limit from 1 to 2 fish. History has shown that limits have always decreased while the minimum size increases. Look at fluke, from 8 to 5 fish and they claim we overfished our limit last year (summer after Sandy) by 47% based on their highly questionable survey methods. Why can commercial fishermen keep 14" fish that we have to release? Sea bass from 25 to 15 fish. Winter flounder is still 2 fish and I wonder when that fishery is declared rebuilt so the limits can be increased. Up north, haddock went from 19" unlimited possession limits to 21" and 3 fish. And the list goes on.
For the record, I am in favor of reasonable size and possession limits. I keep one bass less than 32" and the rest are returned. But what you give up today will not be given back tomorrow.

[Leif]

How about all the bigger fish that you catch and have to release trying to find that "slot" sized fish.
What do you think the mortality rate is going to be on these fish?
Not saying they will all die but a mouth full of trebels, hooks in the gills, swallowed hooks from live lining, and the fact that a good portion of these fish will be mis handled and out of the water for a while when unlocking.
Im sure most will not survive so in turn all we did was injured big pregnant fish.

No live bait and single hooks may help. Also no fishing while spawning. Then you wouldn't have to reduce the limits.

Leif

[Ol Pedro]

No live bait and single hooks may help. Also no fishing while spawning. Then you wouldn't have to reduce the limits.

Leif

I'm with you Leif. There are plenty of options to reduce Striper mortality.Circle hooks would help. You can change out the treble hooks on your jigs to singles, and net all Bass that can't be lifted. A lot of us are doing these things anyway.

[hammer4reel]

good to hear you say that!!!

Here's one thing thay maybe its just my thinking but please someone explain to me how a slot at 24 or what ever would be benificial? If you take a xxinch fish when its xxinches it never grows to maturity and is dead kinda rendered useless it would never spawn now i also belive that some opinions want the slots back b.c they cant catch a bass over the 28in mark i typicaly dont eat them but im sure the little ones have to taste better than the big red meated cows but whats guna happen right off the gate is a thousand people will catch a thousand fish and bam its a mess


It would limit the amount of fish taken daily.
right now when fishing is easiest in the spring , there are very few small bass caught. so in essence it would limit you to taking one breeder size bass as the less than 28" fish arent being caught.



I also think that as a resource that the enjoyment and hooting and hollering that goes on when a big fish is caught far out weighs the pleasure at the dinner table.
Yet striped bass are good eating fish , and eating some of the smaller fish many would still get to enjoy them without a continued crushing blow to the brood stock

Then in the fall when there are alot of smaller bass around it would still pretty much limit you to one fish a day as there arent as many Big bass around.

the other thought is that it spreads the catch over many different year classes of bass.

and that smaller bass take much less time to be replaced in the fishery.

.

[FASTEDDIE29]

One fish between 24-28. One fish over 28. That's what I hope for. Those 24's are delicious on the grill whole and stuffed with my secret ingredients.

Fished a charter a couple weeks back with a bunch of buddies. Friend X hooks a good fish, it's a 31lb female. The mate gaff's this fish right in the stomach and my buddy and I just felt horrible when we saw what came out of her belly. Let the big girls live. I have to say I did not think this way years ago but this fishery is very important to our future and future anglers. Let's hope that we can just stop all the gaffing and murdering of the big spawning females. It doesn't make sense to me to see pics of a bunch of 20-40lbers all over a bloody deck. They really don't taste that good when they're that big anyway! BRING BACK THE SLOT FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!

TIGHT LINEZ!!!!!!!!:D

[Qman]

Agree with a slot similar to redfish down south cap off maximum length. Something like two fish 28 to 36. No need to keep anything larger.

[Tony Cav]

The simpler the better. Slot fish, like Hammer outlined in this threads very first post.

Excellent thread!!!!! Long over due.

[kmaty]

Sounds ok if it works i usually release all my bass anyway but once in a while they gut hook themselves and its a must to keep but always go to good use! I think I've kept around 6 of the hundred plus bass i caught so far this spring. Sucks to think some may not have lived after a release but i do everything in my power to gey thay fish back quickly and gently

[NoLimit]

Lots of koolaid here but wish as much as you want, recreational fishing has no significant effect on marine stocks.

Everyone's crying about the couple of thousand fish kept for the pan but I bet you never seen the mountains of stripers that they used to net in the Chesepeake for fertilizer production. Nets are what kills stocks.

[NJ Dave]

Lots of koolaid here but wish as much as you want, recreational fishing has no significant effect on marine stocks.

Everyone's crying about the couple of thousand fish kept for the pan but I bet you never seen the mountains of stripers that they used to net in the Chesepeake for fertilizer production. Nets are what kills stocks.

Agreed some what that rec guys wont kill the stock but you have to admit 10+ boats per day, per marina, per state catching fish every day plus the private boats, kayaks, and surf fisherman are not helping the matter killing the spring breeders.
It has to hurt somewhat when you cut open a fat mature female that is holding thousands of eggs.
Yea netters do the damage but we need to do our part as well to help.
Most here may not remember the striper moratorium back in the 80s when of you even caught a striper let alone a keeper size were prety lucky.
Its going to happen again, mabey not now but most of our grand kids will only see a striper if they see the pics of us holding em.

[Reel Class]

there's no way in hell you're going to get any bass fisherman to agree to NOT fishing live baits for bass... sorry that one's NG ;)

And the enforcement of circle hooks vs. trebles or j hooks is basically impossible - I'm not sure any decision maker is going to agree to that one..

the only way to fix this is to change the regs!

[hammer4reel]

Lots of koolaid here but wish as much as you want, recreational fishing has no significant effect on marine stocks.

Everyone's crying about the couple of thousand fish kept for the pan but I bet you never seen the mountains of stripers that they used to net in the Chesepeake for fertilizer production. Nets are what kills stocks.
Apparently you really have no idea about how many bass are caught here in the spring. Recreational fisherman create a huge impact on the striped bass fishery.And killing breeders full of eggs def is not a way to sustain a fishery.

[Capt Sal]

We all learn, well not every one. We stopped the bonus tag on our charters. Pictures should be action or individual fish not dead fish every trip stacked up like cord wood. In the old days I to was guilty but forced myself not to be hypocritical. I want one fish 28'' or larger and a slot like the old days. As far as no live bait fishing that is a joke! JUST USE LARGE CIRCLE HOOKS. We all knew it was coming and now we will see how many sportsman we have instead of meat fishermen????

[Capt. Lou]

there's no way in hell you're going to get any bass fisherman to agree to NOT fishing live baits for bass... sorry that one's NG ;)

And the enforcement of circle hooks vs. trebles or j hooks is basically impossible - I'm not sure any decision maker is going to agree to that one..

the only way to fix this is to change the regs!

Why anyone would need a treble hook for live baiting stripers is beyond me , when a large circle is the way to go , and 90% of those fish could be released
without issue.
I agree that hook change issue is a lost cause ,any boat captain should impose this rule on his boat & this is a possibility we could all follow !

[bobscrestliner]

Just a thought for guys that fish once or twice a year for stripers. I may or may not choose to charter a boat or open boat trip if I can only bring back one fish.. I do realize the need for conservation believe me. I do not get a bonus tag anymore. education as much as restriction is needed. but you can't blame a guy who drops a couple hundred to fish wanting to take home his two fish..