Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

Passed by a 13 to 3 vote so no change in regulations!

Thanks to everyone who got involved. If we didn't, we'd probably be looking at some sort of closures.

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

And more good news on the Bunker front….

The Atlantic Menhaden Management Board has voted to cut the coastwide menhaden catch limit by 20% for 2026, setting the new total allowable catch at 186,840 metric tons. The decision, made by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), is a compromise following a new stock assessment that suggested a far more drastic reduction was needed to protect the ecosystem.
Key details of the board's decision

Coastwide cut: The 20% reduction applies to the entire Atlantic coast.
Effective date and duration: The new limit will take effect in 2026. Catch limits will be reassessed for the 2027 and 2028 fishing seasons.
Chesapeake Bay cap: The current cap for the Chesapeake Bay remains at 51,000 metric tons. Environmental groups had pushed for a cut of up to 50% for the Bay, which is considered a vital nursery for menhaden.
Rationale for the catch reduction

The board's decision was prompted by a 2025 benchmark stock assessment that revealed troubling new data about the menhaden population.
Updated stock assessment: The assessment found that the menhaden biomass is 37% lower than previously estimated. This was largely due to revised data on natural mortality.

Ecological targets at risk: The board's ecological reference point (ERP) model, which manages menhaden based on its role in the food web, was updated to reflect the new data.

The assessment showed that the previous catch limit of 233,550 metric tons had a 100% probability of exceeding the new, more conservative fishing mortality target.

According to the ASMFC, even the 2026 limit of 186,840 metric tons has a 100% chance of exceeding the target.

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

This was adjusted from where scientists claimed a 50% reduction to 108,00 metric tons would only allow a 50% chance of recovery .
Soft start of 186,000 metric tons isn’t going to do anything

And is total bullshit after it was also proven omega overfished by a few hundred million pounds .

.

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

I think Omega doesn't care, they will over fish again and again.
The surf has been DEAD the last 10 years, just read the reports.

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

Thank god for that, since all you're looking at now is a collapse within 5 years.

Congrats indeed - big pat on the back for everyone involved!

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

…”natural mortality”… my a#*!

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

Thanks :D

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

Is this sarcasm, or are you serious? So thanks ? Or what are you basing this on?

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

Knowing Roger this was sarcasm. It's all good, he has his opinions and we have ours. Nothing wrong with stating your opinion here as long as it's done respectfully and without personal attacks.

Not sure why people get so emotional here when it comes to keeping Striped Bass but have no issues issues keeping Fluke or other species. I haven't kept a Striper in years but that's my personal choice and have no issues if someone else does because it's their personal choice.

Re: Status Quo For Striped Bass!!
 

What am I basing this on? How about every single benchmark and YoY survey combined?

But I forget - we don't care about science and data in this country anymore. Just feelings and the right attitude.

I would say you people have managed to kick the can down the road again, except we're officially out of road. Bravo - gold star.