Fishery Management

[OH HENRY II]

Originally Posted by dakota560

GDubs you're a good man, I mean that sincerely. As Dave mentioned in his post the other day, the fight is not among us, the fight or challenge if you will is to preserve as many fisheries as possible for future generations to enjoy not just for recreational enjoyment but for the businesses inclusive of commercial operators who depend on them for their livelihoods. No one in my opinion should benefit at the expense of others which is another way of saying the focus should be on the fishery as a whole and secondarily how it's being allocated among it's constituents.

Oh Henry, I wasn't coming at you or trying to insult you in any way. I was simply trying to defuse the situation per your request and ended up creating another Chernobyl! If it came across that way, my apologies as well. What's happening with our fisheries is beyond frustrating and that frustration combined with the internet is at times an explosive combination. I've always believed in my life heated debate is a good thing as long as it's respectful. Sometimes those lines get blurred but that's always been my intentions here. Sometimes I've crossed the lines but try to learn from those mistakes and be a better person for it.

I can tell you I wouldn't be as engaged in the summer flounder fishery if it weren't for many including Gerry and Dave. Dave's been a great mentor and greater friend who has a wealth of knowledge with fisheries management and the process but more importantly a wealth of humility. There's a lot going on behind the scenes by many which a lot of people don't see which can be discussed at a later time. We're fighting or trying to work with Washington here and the many Agencies, Councils, Sub-Committees involved, maybe one of life's greatest challenges so even though results haven't shown it yet I'd ask everyone to be patient and understanding. There are people who care and have the time or desire or resources or all of the above to get involved. Not everyone has that luxury and I get that. I believe progress is being made, ultimately time will tell. This is your typical marathon not sprint situation but I honestly believe we're starting to gain traction and getting the right people's attention. It might prove out I'm delusional but it might prove out I'm right. I'll take that chance.

Either way, I'd like to think we all have a vested interest and common thread that binds us together here as opposed to an array of issue breaking us apart. That's how I plan on looking at it regardless and will keep trying to cause substantive and positive change until I can't do it anymore. Too many good hard working people's livelihoods are at stake and I want my children and grandchildren to have the same enjoyment with this sport as I've had with my family and friends growing up.

My apologies to you and others as well, I should have handled all of this differently. I guess with all the issues within this fishery, commercial quotas, bag limits etc. gets me all wound up I let my emotions get the best of me and I ended up spouting off to the wrong people. It was uncalled for and again I am very sorry and hopefully there are no hard feelings.

No hard feelings whatsoever, like we've all said there's a lot of frustration swirling around. Makes us all a bit crazy and on edge. Thanks for all the garbage you collect on your trips, something that shouldn't be lost in all this. FYI, think we have a common friend. Kevin who is one of the vampire gang at Hopatcong during the herring spawn. Out of the blue he mentioned your screen name the other day, had nothing to do with this thread just a complete coincidence. He loves nighttime walleye and hybrid fishing for sure. Either way as Dave said, keep posting. It's what makes NJF a fantastic and unique site. All the best......Tom.

[Rocky]

WOW guys I am impressed. So many times on the internet these days I read post of people who will argue just to argue and beat a dead horse to claim how right they are and how wrong the other person is.

The last few post above have been refreshing, thank you.

[hammer4reel]

While everyone is entitled to their opinions. guys need to be able to look at things with an open mind.

Few examples are is their less fish or are fish migrating different ways etc.
Doesn't matter which it is, NMFS is saying their are less fish overall.
The regulations they are using are hurting the fishery for ALL of us.

guys bust my balls about the 2 marches on Washington not getting anything done, that they were a waste of time WELL if more guys who thought they were a waste of time ACTUALLY showed up there MAYBE those marches would have been more effective.

Everyday the in house bickering goes on between all the fishing groups its just another day towards our Government selling the fishing rights to groups willing to line their pockets.
and while many think that's the local based commercial guys its NOT,
they would prefer to sell those fish we all want to chase as Perks to other countries. Lining their pockets ten fold.

EVERY fishery except possibly sea bass and ling are being hurt by current regulations and unless groups get a little more backing its not going to change.

.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Group Hug

Glad people are so passionate about this subject but passion can be a double edge sword as we’ve just seen here. The more time and energy you have invested in this fight, the more personal it gets and that’s bound to trigger emotions.

Lets remember we’re all on the same team here and rather then get tangled up with the small differences we may have, remember we share a common goal and that’s to get this fishery and the management of it back on track.

As I see it there are 2 ways to fight the system that got us to where we are today, politically and scientifically. The more united we stand the better chance we have to affect changes in each area.

[AndyS]

Marine Fisheries Council
Meets at the Galloway Twp. Branch of the Atlantic Co. Library, 306 East Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway, NJ 08205, at 5:00 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Please call 609-292-7794 to confirm date and time of meeting.
The Marine Fisheries Council meets bi-monthly, usually on the first or second Thursday of the month. The two sections of the NJ Shell Fisheries Council (Delaware Bay and Atlantic Coast) meet monthly. The DBSC usually meets on the first Tuesday of the month. The ACSC usually meets on the third Monday of the month. The public is welcome to attend these meetings.

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/mcnclmtg.htm#marine

[Gerry Zagorski]

Striped bass meetings should be coming up soon as well... Looks like all states are going to share in the pain since they are reported to be overfished.. A large part of this issue is to due to assumed mortality rates which is assumed to be 9%. That combined with the MRIP assumptions of how many are caught, even if you catch and release some of these fish will count against us.

Should be another interesting battle and I assume slot fish, closed seasons, lower bag limits will all likely be on the table and the reason the NJDEP sent the surveys which many of you got. Will be following this here as well.