Dec 16th ASMFC Striper Meeting Recap

[Gerry Zagorski]

There's plenty wrong with the system especially for us recs.. MRIP which is our assumed harvest numbers can't be trusted and even though some fisheries that we suffered to rebuild, like Sea Bass, we get no liberalization.

As far as me doling out accolades, I feel the need to recognize the people that try and make a difference and add some common sense to let an otherwise flawed process steam down the tracks.

In this Striped Bass example, were initially given unilateral one size fits all measures that did not take into account state and regional differences and did not distribute the sacrifices that needed to be made equitably.

The new proposal gives the states and the regions the time and ability to provide input on how they'd like to achieve their fair share of 9% harvest reduction. As far as I'm concerned, that's a major victory since decisions like these are best made closest to the people they effect.