Ok, this is the only place I'm posting this at least for the time being. I want to see how badly I will get beat up here first. I just don't have the time to debate this with everyone. Below is my personal opinion and it is not that of JCCA or any of the other organizations I belong to. i encourage everyone who cares about stripers to submit their comments to
comments@asmfc.org whether you agree with me or not.
12/6/24
ASMFC Striped Bass Board,
I have been an avid striper fisherman for over fifty years and in my prime I used to fish for them from the jetties in New Jersey 75 nights or more each year. Though, I was for the most part a C&R guy, I liked to target large fish and would keep an occasional fish for a tournament or a yearly best. I always hoped that someday, I might catch a record of some kind. I would like to have that opportunity again. Increasing the SSB is not going to increase spawning success as there are more than enough fish in the SSB to produce a great spawn. There are many factors involved, most of which are beyond the board’s control to do anything about. However, I listened in on the webinar on 12/5 and it seems that the board does intend to take action to rebuild the stocks by 2029 through stricter regulations on both the commercial and recreational sectors. Therefore, my recommendations are below.
1. The 2018 year class will be entering the current ocean slot range (28”-31”) in 2025. That was our last good year class so they should be protected. The best way to do that is to establish a minimum size, preferably 40” or larger for our ocean fish. The SSB has been increasing in recent years and should continue to do so, especially as the 2018 year class reaches spawning size. However, beyond that we had six poor years of spawning. Eventually the larger fish will die off through attrition and there will be little to replace them. Therefore, we should also protect the 2019 to current year classes so that we might have something to fish for in the more distant future.
2. I am opposed to regionalized seasonal closures for our ocean fishery particularly in Wave 6 (November – December) as they would impact certain states more than others. In fact, this period is prime time for New Jersey’s striper fishermen while it is already past prime for most states to our north. Further, there is little else to fish for at that time, particularly for shore-based anglers. Seasonal closures should be done on a state-by-state basis with each state having the ability to choose their own seasons provided they can show that they will meet the mandated reduction. As with summer flounder, NJ’s striped bass fishery in the northern part of the state, aligns somewhat with New York but in the southern part of the state it aligns more closely with Delaware and Maryland. As such New Jersey should be its own region. Therefore, the consideration of seasonal closures for the ocean should be delayed until the TC can develop them further, perhaps in a new addendum.
3. Regarding Chesapeake Bay, seasonal closures might work as there are only two states involved. Whether you opt for seasonal closures or a change in the slot size, the percentage of the reduction should be the same as for ocean waters.
4. In the event seasonal closures are chosen, they should include no targeting. C&R mortality is responsible for 40% of the removals and therefore the C&R guys should not get a free pass. However, any seasonal closures should be done at a time when there are other species to fish for so that it only minimally effects tackle stores and other businesses. For example, it might be better to close the season in Wave 4 or the early part of wave 5 as the water temperatures are higher and C&R mortality is greater then. All user groups should cut back equally to help restore the stocks. Though no target enclosures are difficult to enforce, it may be done as it is in NJ, when no targeting is permitted anywhere except in the ocean during January and February. Also, more importantly, many of us obey the law and would not target striped bass if doing so at that time was prohibited.
5. The commercial sector should be forced to cut back by the same percentage as the recreational sector. Further, this cut should come from their landings, not their quotas. Again, all user groups should cut back equally. That is the only fair way to do it.
Sincerely,
Paul Haertel
