LETTER TO THE POWERS THAT BE REG; STRIPED BASS CLOSURES

[1captainron]

LETTER TO THE POWERS THAT BE REG; STRIPED BASS CLOSURES

My father started this Party boat business in 1960. Over the years we have been through countless changes in the fishing industry, none of which I can say have done any good for the fishery!
Size, bag limits, have had their place but are now to the point where we have lost so many customers because of them, while the fish have flourished.
After paying our dues all those years now you want to take away the one thing that truly pays the bills!!

Striped bass fishing accounts for 55% of my business. The fall run between mid-October through mid-December (after the spring bass have spawned) has been incredible for several years now. To limit us access to that would be devastating, especially with the arcane rules, 1 fish between 28-31 inches is a joke. We basically have a catch & release fishery, fortunately we have the Bonus tag program which does help, but I'm sure that will be cut next.

The amount of Striped bass I have seen the past several years has been unreal, not only in our area but out East, to the South and not counting the fish out beyond three miles.
Any type of closure would severely impact the business, and anyone associated with it. Please re-think and reconsider what you are looking to do. This could be the final straw for many hard working people who have dedicated their lives to the fishing industry!! Capt. Ron Santee/Fishermen

[bulletbob]

I understand your anger, and its certainly well placed. It seems that the federal government over the last few decades has come to the decision that its more important for commercial fishermen to have access to fish stocks than it is for recreational fishermen. Everything is stacked in favor of those that set or drag nets, or trap fish in pots, or catch them by the thousands on long lines. Stripers have become a "sustainably harvested" choice for people that eat fish.. Thats what it says on the sites of seafood sellers.. Sounds like a load of bullshit to me.. In any case it seems everything in saltwater these days is being sold commercially, and the guys that catch commercially are always getting the lions share...

I got this from a website called Saving Seafood-

"Whole, gutted wild striped bass averaging 11 pounds right now are retailing at New York’s Fulton Fish Market for $213.18 per fish. That’s about $19.38 per pound and includes bones and head. Fillets are selling for about $29.99a pound.
What Massachusetts fishermen will get this year is anyone’s guess, but it likely won’t be stable or fair"


If thats close to accurate, it seems like the commercials win- as always... The fish are just too valuable for the "common man" to harvest in the eyes of those in power..... bob

[nutleysigns]

That would be HORRIBLE ! ! !