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Bush moving to gamefish status for striped bass, red drum
BY SUSAN WEST | SENTINEL STAFF




Gamefish status could be coming for striped bass and red drum, according to Sean McKeon, president of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, a trade group for the state's commercial fishing industry.

"We received confirmation Friday morning that President Bush plans to either issue an executive order designating the two species gamefish or to direct fishery management councils to do so," said McKeon.

The legal designation would place the species off-limits to commercial fishermen, removing the fish from the marketplace.

"This action would be a total circumvention of the fisheries management process established by Congress," said McKeon.

He said that commercial fishermen have shouldered harvest restrictions for both species and have anticipated sharing in less stringent regulations as the stocks have grown healthier.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission officially declared striped bass recovered in 1995. Recreational fishermen harvested 81 percent of the 36.47 million pound Atlantic harvest in 2006.

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries lists the red drum stock as recovering. In 2006, North Carolina anglers harvested 216,115 pounds and commercial fishermen landed 168,489 pounds.


"There's no doubt that the President intends to take this action at the request of the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association)," said McKeon.

The CCA, an organization of sportfishermen and associated industries, began in Texas in 1977 with a campaign to make red drum, more commonly called redfish along the Gulf of Mexico, and speckled trout gamefish.

The group has secured gamefish designations in Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and other states.

Josh Bowlen, legislative director for Rep. Walter B. Jones, told the Sentinel Monday that Jones believes the President plans to send a strong statement in support of strict conservation actions to the regional management councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and state fishery agencies as early as next week.

"Congressman Jones has asked folks within the administration to keep in mind that more than one sector depends on access to these species and that livelihoods are at stake," said Bowlen.

Katie Hallaway, communications director for Senator Elizabeth Dole, said Dole has expressed concern to the White House about the negative impact to North Carolina's commercial fishermen and small businesses.

"We must work to ensure that fish populations, like red drum and striped bass, remain strong. However, our commercial fishermen should not solely bear the responsibility of maintaining healthy fish stocks in the Atlantic," said Senator Richard Burr.

Outer Banks commercial fishermen said gamefish designations don't impact just commercial fishermen.

"Gamefish status will deny access to this public trust resource to people who want to eat striped bass or red drum but don't have either the time or the money or the desire to go recreational fishing," said Rob West of Buxton.

Wow! That would be some news.

DZ

Interesting - Not sure how much I support that, being that I'm less concerned about Game fish status than I am about the status of the fish they eat...

Not sure how much I support that, being that I'm less concerned about Game fish status than I am about the status of the fish they eat...


Amen. First should be Game fish status for Bunker.....

Thats what happens when you fish in Maine too much, you get that "Stripers Forever" view of life by osmosis.

Thats what happens when you fish in Maine too much, you get that "Stripers Forever" view of life by osmosis.

Yup...

forget gamefish status.
Lets just go back to 1fish 36" coast wide. Enough of this 28" crap.
I'm worried about the stock right now. something ain't right...

Yup...
...
I'm worried about the stock right now. something ain't right...

I've been quietly singing that song for a year or two now.

Queue comm flip outs.

Marlin: gamefish. can still consume.
Tarpon: gamefish. can still consume.
Hmmm

Queue comm flip outs.

Marlin: gamefish. can still consume.
Tarpon: gamefish. can still consume.
Hmmm

Game fish status doesn't indicate you cannot eat what you catch. It just means they won't be selling the catch. Not a huge problem in Mass or RI but a substantial problem in VA and south

The reality of this pending announcement is that this is a "feeel good" Executive Order at best and in the end, may end up being a very bad thing.

For those interested in the question, What does this mean, think about the following.

The definition of "game fish staus" being used in this order is "no sale". The Presidential order will will make S-B & Red Drum "game fish" in federal waters effectively prohibiting "commercial" fishing for S-B in federal waters. Considering that there is already a "regulation" that prohibits all fishing for S-B in federal waters, the executive Order alone will change nothing.

However, I predict the "real agenda" of this Executive Order will turn into a very bad thing. Executive Orders carry a lot of weight in the Federal Government. This will most likely be read by fisheries managers as a buffer, ending the arguement that if the EEZ is open for Recs it should be open for commercials. That will allow managers to open Federal Waters (EEZ) to recreational fishing for S-B. If the EEZ is opened for S-B recreational fishing, the recreational harvest will increase and we will be on our way to overfishing.

I see this as yet another move by those revisionist historians that blame the collapse of S-B on the commercials to make an allocation grab for recreational fishing and forget that we were a part of the collapse. The recreational fishery for S-B must retain the major protection of a closed EEZ so that we may be protected from ourselves. I hope that this does not happen but I am told the Executive Order is a done deal. S-B are successfully rebuilt and to eliminate the largest tool we have to protect the stock makes no sense. I agree we should concentrate of increasing forage, but this has nothing to do with that other and more major issue.

However, I predict the "real agenda" of this Executive Order will turn into a very bad thing. Executive Orders carry a lot of weight in the Federal Government. This will most likely be read by fisheries managers as a buffer, ending the arguement that if the EEZ is open for Recs it should be open for commercials. That will allow them to open Federal Waters (EEZ) to recreational fishing for S-B. If the EEZ is opened for S-B recreational fishing, the recreational harvest will increase and we will be on our way to overfishing.

How will opening the EEZ to recs increase the harvest? Won't the same amount of people continue to harvest the same number of fish, now just over a larger area? If size and creel limits remain the same, it seams to me that the harvest should remain the same (decrease when the fact that there will be no more commercial harvest is considered). Am I missing something :huh:

A boat (private or charter) goes to Stellwagen Bank for tuna or cod...after they get their fish they now can take a S-B limit as well.

There is currently no legal commercial fishiing in the EEZ.

How will opening the EEZ to recs increase the harvest? Won't the same amount of people continue to harvest the same number of fish, now just over a larger area? If size and creel limits remain the same, it seams to me that the harvest should remain the same (decrease when the fact that there will be no more commercial harvest is considered). Am I missing something :huh:

or the comms. quota of the catch could become available to recs (I know there is some concern that that is the agenda of those pushing for game fish status) . I don't care who is catching, just how many are getting taken. Ending the commercial harvest wouldn't have near as big an effect on the stocks as going to 1 fish for recs would.

Anyone have a scientific basis for 36"'s? Not arguing, I am just curious where that number originally came from. Why not 40"? Why not 1 between 18 and 27" like they do from drum in NC. I think I am gonna find a fisheries course that looks at these issues cause I know that I really don't have any scientific basis for my opinions...

this would be great!! take the friggin price of the fish's head please. :D

or the comms. quota of the catch could become available to recs (I know there is some concern that that is the agenda of those pushing for game fish status) . I don't care who is catching, just how many are getting taken. Ending the commercial harvest wouldn't have near as big an effect on the stocks as going to 1 fish for recs would.


The Executive Order will have NO IMPACT on how many S-B are caught in the commercial catch as there is already a "regulation" that stops commercial fishing for S-B in the EEZ. It would strengthen that regulation.

The Executive Order will have NO IMPACT on how many S-B are caught in the commercial catch as there is already a "regulation" that stops commercial fishing for S-B in the EEZ. It would strengthen that regulation.


That's not at all true. While it may not have an effect on the EZZ, what about the Coast, Narragansett Bay, the Cape Cod Canal, the Outer beaches, Cape Cod Bay, buzzards bay, etc. It's all open to commercial rod and reel S-B fishing. If the quota is 3 million pounds in Mass and S-B get game status, then that's 3 million pounds that don't get caught and sold in the commercial market.

Am I missing something here????

"Gamefish status will deny access to this public trust resource to people who want to eat striped bass or red drum but don't have either the time or the money or the desire to go recreational fishing," said Rob West of Buxton.

uh oh.. just think of all the morons that will be out trying to catch a meal now. you know the ones.. the guys who think you just caught all the frozen bunker.

hopefully they will just give up on eating striper. but ya know about 15% of them will attempt it. get a ready for a flood of guys with no fishing etiquette.


also.. hope they have some even more strict anti-poaching plans in the works. cause now theres gonna be an increased black market for stripers.

the rest of the issue i know nothing about. but seems like it would increase stock. but only by fractions if at all. still want either a slot or higher limits and one fish per person per day.

1 a 36 for recs, leave the mass comm season the way it is, a controlled quota which is quite small compared by overall recs kills in mass alone. And whats up with everyone complaining about pogie regs, in case anyone hasn't noticed there are more pogies around right now than there has been in a long time.

I'm just impressed we got this many replies without any Bush bashing!

I'm with Piemma on this, sounds like a good thing to me, but I am not up to speed on these issues as much as some, I dont even know what the EEZ is?

Excellent! I think we need this mostly to stop the mid-atlantic states' slaughter. Bryan & I've been saying since last year that something's wrong with the stock.

See - all you Bush bashers can finally give him some credit.


However - as Bryan said we do need to go back to the 36"/1 fish limit as well. Recreational fishermen need to share in the conservation effort.

I,ve been saying for the last few years that the stock is in trouble >>>>>>>>>> just stopping commercial fishing is not the answer / in the total take / the largest percentage of fish caught /taken >.out by rec.

I,d love to see a no size/ no keep status / that way /basically catch & release & that would knock a ton of pressure off the bass / never mind us ;;;

make it simple // no keep >>>>>>>> soooooooo if charlie S/h gets caught with a bass >>>>>>> he has no defense ;;;;


unfortuneitly /they will find a way to f$%^&*( this up //


For some this has been a great exceptional year // but in all total >>> it is much less than last & last was less than the year before ;;;

we.ll see ><><><

That's not at all true. While it may not have an effect on the EZZ, what about the Coast, Narragansett Bay, the Cape Cod Canal, the Outer beaches, Cape Cod Bay, buzzards bay, etc. It's all open to commercial rod and reel S-B fishing. If the quota is 3 million pounds in Mass and S-B get game status, then that's 3 million pounds that don't get caught and sold in the commercial market.

Am I missing something here????

Yes, I think you are missing the point. the Executive Order has nothing to do with State Waters or waters inside three miles. Commercial fishing in all of the places you mention will NOT BE AFFECTED!!!!!!

Currently/right now/today/in 2007 there is/was no Striped Bass fishing of any kind in FEDERAL WATERS (aka EEZ or ouside the three mile line). To be clear, in 2007 there was no commercial or recreational S-B legally caught in Federal waters. This is because Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has a regulation that prohibits ALL Striper fishing in Federal waters.

This new Executive Order will permanently prohibit commercial fishing of Striped Bass only in Federal Waters. In other words the President is going to issue an order that will change nothing. Next year, after the executive order, the same commercial fishery will exist in the same waters it did today. The quotas will be managed the same, nothing is going to change.

What we fear is that by prohibiting only commercial fishing, the order will be interpreted as "not prohibiting" recreational fishing for S-B inn Federal Waters and will open a door to those that want to end the many years these fish that reside in federal waters have enjoyed.



This

I read some more. It seems Patrick's right - that is all the Executive Order has the power to do. Useless.

Apparently CCA is simply hoping this FEderal move will "influence" the States to do the same. Never will happen.

Yes, I think you are missing the point. the Executive Order has nothing to do with State Waters or waters inside three miles. Commercial fishing in all of the places you mention will NOT BE AFFECTED!!!!!!

Currently/right now/today/in 2007 there is/was no Striped Bass fishing of any kind in FEDERAL WATERS (aka EEZ or ouside the three mile line). To be clear, in 2007 there was no commercial or recreational S-B legally caught in Federal waters. This is because Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has a regulation that prohibits ALL Striper fishing in Federal waters.

This new Executive Order will permanently prohibit commercial fishing of Striped Bass only in Federal Waters. In other words the President is going to issue an order that will change nothing. Next year, after the executive order, the same commercial fishery will exist in the same waters it did today. The quotas will be managed the same, nothing is going to change.

What we fear is that by prohibiting only commercial fishing, the order will be interpreted as "not prohibiting" recreational fishing for S-B inn Federal Waters and will open a door to those that want to end the many years these fish that reside in federal waters have enjoyed.



This

Apparently CCA is simply hoping this FEderal move will "influence" the States to do the same. Never will happen.


I think CCA is hoping ASMFC will open up the EEZ for recreational fishing. They have been in favor of opening the EEZ for some time.

That would be bad

I think CCA is hoping ASMFC will open up the EEZ for recreational fishing.
CCA is more interested in rec fishing than reducing total SB mortality. The recs are responsible for most of the killing. It's a rec supported money grab by special interests who earn their $ from the rec industry.

Amen. First should be Game fish status for Bunker.....

ditto .. feed the fish ..

from the above.. i know agree, wow thats dumb..
but..

what is the importance of the EEZ? other than providing a place for fish to unknowingly relax?

if it's nothing more than a place that fish are.. who cares if it's open to fishing? i could see if it was for mating or something more significant than a fish hang out. but if it's not what would the impact really be?

it's not like the shore guys will be able to get to it. and if ya have a boat, chances are you are filling the 2 fish limits just about every day ya go out any way. they would just be filled there instead of in the areas currently fished.. which in turn would RELIEVE pressure on the fish in the areas that can be fished now. so in fact if it was open, the production of the current areas would go up. cause fishermen would be spread out even further.. the only problem i could see would be policing an even larger area.. and people high-grading. but if they are law breakers they will break the law regardless of where they fish. and probably already fish the EEZ anyway.

like i said, i know nothing about the EEZ. and the above is assuming it's just a productive place for large fish.

of course if it a place for large numbers of huge fish.. then a slot limit should be imposed if it's open. cause if the last statement is true, then i would assume the fear is over fishing of mega bass who produce more eggs.

but please some one correct me and explain the importance of the EEZ to the fish.

Yes, I think you are missing the point. the Executive Order has nothing to do with State Waters or waters inside three miles. Commercial fishing in all of the places you mention will NOT BE AFFECTED!!!!!!

Currently/right now/today/in 2007 there is/was no Striped Bass fishing of any kind in FEDERAL WATERS (aka EEZ or ouside the three mile line). To be clear, in 2007 there was no commercial or recreational S-B legally caught in Federal waters. This is because Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has a regulation that prohibits ALL Striper fishing in Federal waters.

This new Executive Order will permanently prohibit commercial fishing of Striped Bass only in Federal Waters. In other words the President is going to issue an order that will change nothing. Next year, after the executive order, the same commercial fishery will exist in the same waters it did today. The quotas will be managed the same, nothing is going to change.

What we fear is that by prohibiting only commercial fishing, the order will be interpreted as "not prohibiting" recreational fishing for S-B inn Federal Waters and will open a door to those that want to end the many years these fish that reside in federal waters have enjoyed.



This

I stand corrected. i didn't realize the EO would have no effect on state waters.

recreational catch/mortality rates dwarf commercial catches. WE are overfishing the striped bass. End commercial fishing, install a 1 fish slot plus a 50 plus trophy fish and protect the bunker and herring. While they're t it, lift the protection of the dogfish..

, install a 1 fish slot plus a 50 plus trophy fish

i was gonna suggest this yesterday but figured it was to weird of a regulation. i was thinkin 26 to 32 and then 50 plus. i would like 20 to 28. but fear that would be to low and people would be almost guaranteed a take home every day. at least 26 to 32 is on the higher end of smaller fish.

I think CCA is hoping ASMFC will open up the EEZ for recreational fishing. They have been in favor of opening the EEZ for some time.

That would be bad

Yeah, I guess this is what I was thinking about... and gamefish status could make this more likely to happen.

I agree with the sentiments that the problem is certainly not the biomass of striped bass but the biomass of forage species such as menhaden and herring (especially river herring). Protect that forage and keep reasonable limits (like the ones we have now) on the take of striped-bass. Also, they need to open the EEZ to the recreational take of striped bass.

This is a ploy by Bush to show that he cares about the environment!!!
EEZ zones are already non-fishing zones for striped bass, so by making striped bass a gamefish(no Comm allows) changes nothing in the Zones, because there is no fishing allowed there now anyways!!!
The Federal Govt can mandate laws outside the 3 mile zone!!! Inside that area,States and only States can mandate the laws they want!!! That is why every State has different rules about fishing!!!
You can bet if there were huge oir reserves in the EEZ Zones, that Bush and his oil buddies would be pushing Congress to open it for drilling!!!
Don't Be Fooled!!!

Politcal actions aside ... I agree with Patrick's assesment and I agree that fishing was better with one fish at 36 inches ...

1 fish a day, 36" minimum. You that are old enough remember the Bass Moritorium. We had 1 fish 36" then 1 fish 34" and the stocks came back strong.

There are those of us that don't keep fish under 36" anyway, but I see guys even in the boats keeping 28" fish all the time. I think it's a waste.

Like Nebe and some others said, protect the forage fish so the Bass grow big and strong and up the size and drop the daily bag limit. If we can figure this out why the hell do the bureaucrats have such a hard time with it?

this would be great!! take the friggin price of the fish's head please. :D


BINGO! We have a winner!!!

This, along with sensible rec, forage fish and indiscriminate comm fishing management

There is a huge black market, this is ignored.

Recs are not doing near the damage that we are led to believe.

Bycatch kill will be a continued nightmare, this should put a spotlight on the issue and might have an impact on dragging.

The EEZ is NOT patrolled anyway. Most anglers don't even know what the EEZ is or where it is. Making it a game fish is a smart idea and will ease the enforcement issue.

Agreed with the proposition to return to 1 fish a day, 36" minimum, all up and down the coast.

As a practical question, what is the best means to advance this proposal? Are there any organizations that are supporting this that, in turn, deserve our support? Let me know.

I think CCA and Stripers Forever both support increased size limits.

[QUOTE=piemma;533397]1 fish a day, 36" minimum. You that are old enough remember the Bass Moritorium. We had 1 fish 36" then 1 fish 34" and the stocks came back strong.

There are those of us that don't keep fish under 36" anyway, but I see guys even in the boats keeping 28" fish all the time. I think it's a waste.

QUOTE]

I sincerely would like to know why is better to take over 36"? My instinct is that it is better to keep the breeders in the stock.

Is it because less people catch em that size so the overall take would be reduced? Is it that they have at least had a chance to spawn? Actually, i'll move this to a new thread...

QUOTE]
Is it because less people catch em that size so the overall take would be reduced?

Is it that they have at least had a chance to spawn? Actually, i'll move this to a new thread...[/QUOTE]

Yes and Yes IMHO

QUOTE]
Is it because less people catch em that size so the overall take would be reduced?

Is it that they have at least had a chance to spawn? Actually, i'll move this to a new thread...

Yes and Yes IMHO[/QUOTE]

Point on Bryan. The proof that the increased size limit and reduced bag limit are evidenced by the robust rebound of the Striper stocks.
Probably one of the few things the fisheries management guys did correctly.
Of course the jury is out as to whether it would work again. I know in the mid to late 80s the Bass fishing was awful. Once the moritorium was instituted, the stocks rebounded. Whether this is cyclical or a direct result of the conservation measures is a moot point. The fact is, it worked.

There is a huge black market, this is ignored.

The only way to stop this is to shut down all comm fishery for striped bass period.

Nobody able to sell = easy to catch the black market sales.

I think CCA and Stripers Forever both support increased size limits.
I can't speak for the CCA but Stripers Forever has no position on bag limits and never has. Many members favor a slot limit in the 20-26" range or a trophy fish, but the organization's only official goal is game fish status (no commercial harvest)


As for the assertion that CCA has supported the opening of the EEZ, that's also incorrect. CCA pushed hard to keep it closed for all fishermen, recs and comms. So did Stripers Forever.

The notion that this move is a sneaky way of getting the EEZ open for recs after shutting it permanently for commercial fishing is just that, a notion. The comments received by NMFS regarding the reopening of the EEZ were overwhelmingly in favor of keeping it closed, and I mean 90% territory

I think Bush should stay with something he knows about!! Wait he doesn't no anything!!

Leave the fish alone and figure out the war that he has asked 190 something Billion dollars for in the last 3 weeks!!

You no when my ck book is empty I have to wait for the next pay day!!

Bushes ck book ran out 100 trillion dollars ago, and he is still spending!!

I can't speak for the CCA but Stripers Forever has no position on bag limits and never has. Many members favor a slot limit in the 20-26" range or a trophy fish, but the organization's only official goal is game fish status (no commercial harvest)
As for the assertion that CCA has supported the opening of the EEZ, that's also incorrect. CCA pushed hard to keep it closed for all fishermen, recs and comms. So did Stripers Forever.
The notion that this move is a sneaky way of getting the EEZ open for recs after shutting it permanently for commercial fishing is just that, a notion. The comments received by NMFS regarding the reopening of the EEZ were overwhelmingly in favor of keeping it closed, and I mean 90% territory

Right there is my BIGGEST problem with these org's.
No reduction in bag for stripers (for recs) but a complete clousre for commercials
.
Why do commercials take the only hit?
If changes need to be made, do it on both sides of the ball. Bycatch and others are issues, but like flap mentioned, let's get it back to full-time commercial guys. Their catch is still remarkably lower than rec take. We need to tighten up the commercial regs (I sat in a meeting last year next to DZ and we were both amazed that a CT guys can still hold a RI commercial striper license... something aint right there.) AND drop the bag and up the size to1 fish @ 36". Unless the biology shows me otherwise (and I'm not smart enough to understand detailed fish biology) a slot limit is tougher to enforce, encourages more small fish poaching and is probably only supported by the light-tackle schoolie crowd who couldnt catch a 36" fish...
rant over
:hidin:

Right there is my BIGGEST problem with these org's.
No reduction in bag for stripers (for recs) but a complete clousre for commercials
.
Why do commercials take the only hit?
If changes need to be made, do it on both sides of the ball. Bycatch and others are issues, but like flap mentioned, let's get it back to full-time commercial guys. Their catch is still remarkably lower than rec take. We need to tighten up the commercial regs (I sat in a meeting last year next to DZ and we were both amazed that a CT guys can still hold a RI commercial striper license... something aint right there.) AND drop the bag and up the size to1 fish @ 36". Unless the biology shows me otherwise (and I'm not smart enough to understand detailed fish biology) a slot limit is tougher to enforce, encourages more small fish poaching and is probably only supported by the light-tackle schoolie crowd who couldnt catch a 36" fish...
rant over
:hidin:

Bryan,
You bring up the main reason that Stripers Forever doesn't advocate for a specific bag limit for stripers. You could get a dozen ardent anglers in a discussion and get no consensus among them on what the appropriate limits should be. If the fish were managed exclusively for recreational fishing the fisheries managers could stop worrying about killing every fish up to their target levels designed to reach "maximum sustainable yield", and worry about achieving a healthy population throughout the fish's age range. It would be easy to set bag limits coast-wide and recreational anglers would accept them. They may grouse and whine, but they'll accept them.

If you limited the commercial bass season in Massachusetts to "full- time commercial guys" (residents only), you could fit them all in a small room. I would assume the RI group would take an even smaller room.

Personally, I like the slot limits. The Maine reg of 1 fish between 20-26" OR one over 40" works just fine.Sure there are knuckleheads who don't adhere to the regs but that happens everywhere.
I've caught plenty of big fish. I release them because they are all female and the prime spawners in the population. Smaller fish taste better anyway. You kill those big fish why exactly?

Market gunning for ducks and geese ended seventy years ago. That was a few commercial guys squandering a public resource for personal gain. Stripers are a lot more popular as a public resource today than waterfowl were then. How about leaving a single fish species for the public?

If I kill a fish it is usually a larger one.
I can release smaller fish quickly, with less stress, and in a lot of the places I fish larger fish can come in pretty beat to hell.

As far as smaller fish tasting better; I believe that as far as I can throw a 30lb bass. I've never had a problem with bigger fish tasting bad, IF they are cared for properly.

To me it remains a fish grab for stripers with those groups, whether they push for bag limit or not. WE (recs; I'm not commercial) HAVE NO MORE right to the fish than the commercials do.

As far as fitting them into one room for each state, is exactly one of the problems... maybe too many full-timers have been pushed out already.

The easiest way to manage is not the always the best, especially in this case!

Bryan is right on. Commercial fisherman are always made out to be the bad guys but in the end it is the rec group that does way more damage. Longer season, WAY more fisherman, poaching, no set quota whatsoever=a lot more damage done on the fish. I also agree that only people whos main source of income has to do with commercial fishing should be able to fish the season. To many people use the season as an excuse to fill the boat with bass, take pictures and pay for half the fuel for the year. In return if they eliminated this crowd from the season it would last longer and benefit the people that actually depend on that chunk of cash as part of there total income.

And oh ya I don't want to hear it about conn people fishing the very limited RI season when at one point two seasons ago the majority of the fleet fishing the MA season were from RI. Especially considering we dont have the option to fish yours.

To me it remains a fish grab for stripers with those groups, whether they push for bag limit or not. WE (recs; I'm not commercial) HAVE NO MORE right to the fish than the commercials do.


That's where we part company. How can you justify that statement? If recreational striper fishermen outnumber commercial fishermen 600 to 1, and they do) than the resource should be divided that way: 99%+ to the recs and the balance to the commercials. Anyone would then say, "let's round it up to 100%."

Why shouldn't I be allowed to kill and sell black ducks and geese with, say, a daily limit of 10 each? How about brook trout? I know a place where I can easliy catch a couple dozen a day. Why can't I do that and sell them to the local restaurants?. Well there's a couple of reasons. First, I could kill or catch that game and fish because there is no commercial season which has allowed the populations to expand to current levels; and second, because those critters belong to all of us, not just to em and a few buddies.

We're not talking about monkfish or hake, we're talking about the single most sought after fish on the East coast. You want to call it a grab? OK, it's a grab and it couldn't be fairer. Of course the recs kill more fish; there are millions of them.

Unfortunately DD, your math is a little fuzzy. A quick census check puts the US population at about 300 million. So with the 3 million rec striper fisherman accounting for 60% of the kill (mostly for fun), that's 1% of the population that accounts for the majority. Com. fisherman are providing the resource to that other 99%, but fringe groups like PETA, Stripers Forever, etc. seem to forget that fact. The tiny commercial harvest is insignificant, and in fact doesn't even add up to the release mortality of the recs. How's Bradley doing, tell him people are still laughing...

Unfortunately DD, your math is a little fuzzy. A quick census check puts the US population at about 300 million. So with the 3 million rec striper fisherman accounting for 60% of the kill (mostly for fun), that's 1% of the population that accounts for the majority. Com. fisherman are providing the resource to that other 99%, but fringe groups like PETA, Stripers Forever, etc. seem to forget that fact. The tiny commercial harvest is insignificant, and in fact doesn't even add up to the release mortality of the recs. How's Bradley doing, tell him people are still laughing...
How many of that other 99% could pick a striped bass out of a lineup consisting of fluke, tilapia, catfish, creek chub and roadkill? Aquaculture already produces 60% more striped bass than the entire commercial catch and , before you say that they taste terrible, be aware that the average price received at the Fulton Fish Market is the same, so the public doen't agree. The majority of the striped bass meals served in restaurants come from fish raised by aquaculture.
I'll relay your message to Brad, who stood behind the President Saturday when he signed the executive order. Which people,exactly, were laughing?