Gambler Capt Bob Comment to ASMFC RE: Striped Bass

[captbogan]

From Capt Robert Bogan, Rep for United Boatmen NJ and owner party fishing boat Gambler, Pt Pleasant Bch NJ

I can understand the states South of NJ and NY frustration with a lack of striped bass in their waters.

But this is not a striped bass population problem. Like so many other species, striped bass have been migrating further North. The way things are trending, it could be that, in 10 years, the striped bass biomass will be out of the NY bight and mostly in New England waters. This is not a population problem, this is a climate change issue and an issue with Chesapeake Bay pollution. And those Southern states commercial fishery.

NJ and NY do not need to be punished due to the fact that the greater part of the striped bass now winters there.

In the early/mid 90s, when the striper limit for our state was two fish 28", the population exploded within a few years. Now, with stripers, as with other regulated species, when the fishing gets good due to a healthy population, fishermen are expected to take a bigger cut.

Leave regulations in place --or better-- go back to 2 stripers at 28"


Captain Bob Bogan
Owner/operator Gambler
Rep for United Boatmen NJ