To all commercial and recreational striped bass fishermen There is a public hearing this Thursday at the statehouse on bill H-796 otherwise known as the stripers forever bill. If this bill becomes law it will stop all commercial fishing for striped bass in Massachusetts and the recommendations are for recreational fishermen to take only 1 bass per day 20 to 26 inches or over 40 inches. MSBA has come out against this bill. I urge all of you who feel strongly about this issue to go to the public hearing.

i support this bill as i'm sure many fisherman that remember the '80's do.

i support this bill as i'm sure many fisherman that remember the '80's do.

I remember the 80's too.

I'm serious here -- What were the commercial and recreational limits that lead up to the stock crash?

No possession or daily limit; 16" size limit.

This bill is good for the fishery. It is not perfect (no bill is) but it is the right thing to do for the fish. I don't care anymore what is good for the fishermen (comm or rec). The fishermen will survive regardless of it is passed or not, I can't say that for the fish. What I like about it, is it cuts through all the (biased) DMF regulation crap and takes them out of the picture with regard to SB.

I am disappointed MSBA did not support it. I think their problem is more of a "who controls it" rather than the immediate protection of the species. I thought they were a more objective group than that. That said, I doubt their non-support will carry much weight one way or the other. This is a step towards conservation, period. I understand they don't want the government involved but the current regulatory situation (which they now influence) is not and has not worked, I say you had your turn, nothing is improving, it's getting worse year by year on many fronts, time to step aside. This bill forces them to have no voice and DMF to be a non-entity (effectively) with regard to SB.

I don't like the slot limits they propose

neither do I. But that can be changed, it is better than what we have now.

Well put mr sandman!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

neither do I. But that can be changed, it is better than what we have now.


If you're going to fix something, do it right.

Change for the sake of change, without the right plan doesn't make sense -- Sounds alot like an election we just had.

If you're going to fix something, do it right.

Change for the sake of change, without the right plan doesn't make sense -- Sounds alot like an election we just had.


i agree with what jim said. not perfect but a BIG step in the right direction that will have an immediate positive impact on our beloved species.

Any word on how it went yesterday???