Hearing reports on social media that NY went 1 @ 28 for all at todays meeting. Haven't confirmed yet.

Confirmed from Ross Squire.

Connecticut just came out officially with 1@28" across the board as well.

This puts just a "little" more pressure on Rhody.

Rhody,s too corrupt

WTF are they going to do when there is no STRIPERS & its the state fish ????:realmad:

Rhode will be the ahole in it all and come out at 5 @ 10"
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if RI goes 2 fish now it would indicate a serious lack of competence among our fisheries managers and a lack of leadership among those who oversee them.....be hopeful they'll do the right thing...which is also the most obvious thing...not always a fan of giving credit for doing the most obvious right thing but in this case it would be appreciated and celebrated

Way to go NY !!!!
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Time for some truth. Let's see how much power the for hire/ commercial sector has in RI. I say commercial/ for hire for a reason. I would love to have a list of RI commercial bass permits and for hire operators. Don't know for sure but I would guess a lot of the names would be on both lists. I can't help but think that he second bass and most of the dead fish you see on some of the for hires web sites are destined for market. Don't know the whole story just my guess. Any way it's time to see if RI will do the right thing or be exposed
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The NY and CT moves give Janet Coit an escape hatch and allow her to save face.

So when will RI make a final decision? Out with it already
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Good job ny
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Janet was head of the nature conservancy before the DEM. I can't imagine that she would screw this up.
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Time for some truth. Let's see how much power the for hire/ commercial sector has in RI. I say commercial/ for hire for a reason. I would love to have a list of RI commercial bass permits and for hire operators. Don't know for sure but I would guess a lot of the names would be on both lists. I can't help but think that he second bass and most of the dead fish you see on some of the for hires web sites are destined for market. Don't know the whole story just my guess. Any way it's time to see if RI will do the right thing or be exposed
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I would bet just about all maintain as many permits for as many species as the can . I'm not sure how it works in RI but in Ma if you dont renew on time your out .
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Janet Coit must be under extreem pressure. At the last meeting in RI the DEM wouldn't even make a recommendation in regard to which option to choose. I think the people at RI DEM are really backed into a corner.
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NY and CT 1 @ 28...WOW!

Janet Coit must be under extreem pressure. At the last meeting in RI the DEM wouldn't even make a recommendation in regard to which option to choose. I think the people at RI DEM are really backed into a corner.
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Unsure to do the right thing? There is no applause to choose the 1@ option, there are repercussions to do split modes. Both to the environment and to business, mostly bad.
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Im betting it will be 1 @ 28 for all in RI, if not i will be mighty disappointed.

Im betting it will be 1 @ 28 for all in RI, if not i will be mighty disappointed.

lots of irony here...the rationale used when RI offered the second option is now gone......the will be no competitive disadvantage(unless RI goes 2 bass for hires) and the only way that boats will be fishing side by side under different regs is if RI goes with a mode split...pretty funny as RI was claiming it would be other states forcing us to go to "2" fish for for hires to avoid this

RI had the opportunity to attempt to influence neighboring states having voted first but had dragged out the final decision and now it's possible that neighboring states will be influencing the RI decision

RI Charters that are upset with RI anglers and other charters supporting 1@ all modes are now trying to figure out who to direct their anger at...RI 1@'s were largely ignored by the fisheries managers as the vote was very lopsided....RI Charters supporting mode splits now find themselves at odds with neighboring states who, they were pretty confident, would be supporting and enhancing their position

:heybaby:

lots of irony here...the rationale used when RI offered the second option is now gone......the will be no competitive disadvantage(unless RI goes 2 bass for hires) and the only way that boats will be fishing side by side under different regs is if RI goes with a mode split...pretty funny as RI was claiming it would be other states forcing us to go to "2" fish for for hires to avoid this

RI had the opportunity to attempt to influence neighboring states having voted first but had dragged out the final decision and now it's possible that neighboring states will be influencing the RI decision

RI Charters that are upset with RI anglers and other charters supporting 1@ all modes are now trying to figure out who to direct their anger at...RI 1@'s were largely ignored by the fisheries managers as the vote was very lopsided....RI Charters supporting mode splits now find themselves at odds with neighboring states who, they were pretty confident, would be supporting and enhancing their position

:heybaby:

They won't have a disadvantage if the go to 1@ but they will have a obvious advantage if they go to 2@ 33"
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Kudos to CT and NY! I'm embarrassed for RI the littlest biggest corrupt state in the union. WTF are these clowns thinking? A few special interest lugs pulling the strings again i'm sure. Maybe it's time to replace those making the calls, it's about time.

Good Job, Mass, CT, and now New York :kewl:

Now at bat: RI

They won't have a disadvantage if the go to 1@ but they will have a obvious advantage if they go to 2@ 33"
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correct...they look a little hypocritical supporting 2@ after arguing about the disadvantage they'd suffer if they were fishing 1@ while other and neighboring states for hires were fishing 2@

How can rhode island go forward and enact regs that they themselves argued would be unfair to neighboring states? I guess they are only unfair when they benefit others, but when it benefits you, life is good.

I am optimistic, but I am also a realist ... Its tough to un-shake backroom handshakes, and it's tough to refund backroom lobbying. If Rhode Island goes for 2 @33 now, it will be plain as day that deals were made, no question.

They won't have a disadvantage if the go to 1@ but they will have a obvious advantage if they go to 2@ 33"
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Can you explain how 2@33 is an advantage? The harvest should be about the same whether it is 1@28 or 2@33? Isn't that the argument for equivalency? Is the advantage that people will go on the charter with the chance that they will take home two fish, even though the odds say in most cases they will only get one fish. Or is it that 2@33 for a charter really isn't equivalent to 1@28?

At least the 30-32" fish would get to reproduce, but still, it's silly. C'mon RI

I've been pondering the following thought: It appears all other states that share a border with RI have now gone to one fish bag in their for hire modes - wouldn't it be refreshing to see the Rhode Island Party and Charter Association change their stance to support a 1 fish bag to keep everything equal? It would definitly take the heat off of Director Coit and IMO place their industry in a more favorable light with the public. Thoughts?

Hey all been a while. It's nice to see most states going to 1 fish. It will be huge in NY as they take a lot of fish. Unfortunately the worst state is New Jersey. They are at 2 fish 1 at 28-43" and one at 43" and over plus with a bonus tag you get to keep another at 28" plus. I've said it before, a lot that fish in New England don't get what happens here. I don't care what anybody says the bulk of the population is taken in nj the lady few days. You can take bass 9 months a year here and the migrating population from the Hudson and the Chesapeake hit here. On any given day there are several hundred boats pounding the big bodies of migratory fish. Kinda looks like the Chesapeake, but theirs is only 6 weeks. Just wanted to chime in:-) how are you DZ:-)
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Hey all been a while. It's nice to see most states going to 1 fish. It will be huge in NY as they take a lot of fish. Unfortunately the worst state is New Jersey. They are at 2 fish 1 at 28-43" and one at 43" and over plus with a bonus tag you get to keep another at 28" plus. I've said it before, a lot that fish in New England don't get what happens here. I don't care what anybody says the bulk of the population is taken in nj the lady few days. You can take bass 9 months a year here and the migrating population from the Hudson and the Chesapeake hit here. On any given day there are several hundred boats pounding the big bodies of migratory fish. Kinda looks like the Chesapeake, but theirs is only 6 weeks. Just wanted to chime in:-) how are you DZ:-)
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Hi Ken! Been a long time.

Is Jersey a done deal or could you petition to change now that NY has gone conservative?

Hi Ken! Been a long time.

Is Jersey a done deal or could you petition to change now that NY has gone conservative?

IIRC NJ regs are set by the legislature, very difficult to change.

IIRC NJ regs are set by the legislature, very difficult to change.

Thanks Mike.

Can you explain how 2@33 is an advantage? The harvest should be about the same whether it is 1@28 or 2@33? Isn't that the argument for equivalency? Is the advantage that people will go on the charter with the chance that they will take home two fish, even though the odds say in most cases they will only get one fish. Or is it that 2@33 for a charter really isn't equivalent to 1@28?

Yes it's about the perception.
I guess it's different in Rhode Island but in our area we may try to get our clients a limit and give them the option to take it home but in most cases they don't.. And at 2 fish at 33 inches rarely will they take home the two fish
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correct...they look a little hypocritical supporting 2@ after arguing about the disadvantage they'd suffer if they were fishing 1@ while other and neighboring states for hires were fishing 2@

I'm curious Scott. I know why I think it would be an advantage but why do you now think it would be an advantage if RI charter boats have 2@ 33 inch? Especially given all the arguments saying that it would not hurt charter business if they are allowed 1@28"
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Yes it's about the perception.
I guess it's different in Rhode Island but in our area we may try to get our clients a limit and give them the option to take it home but in most cases they don't.. And at 2 fish at 33 inches rarely will they take home the two fish
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Alright, but for me that makes it even less of a valid reason for 2@33. The discussion has centered around why would a client pay a grand for a couple of fillets. 2@33 makes it so the client is willing to gamble that they will get more than a couple fillets, although they generally won't get 2 fish. That is alot to gamble if it is about fillets. I guess the charter can mislead them into thinking they will leave with 2 fish even though they won't. That can't be good for business anyway.

The most complain in nj yet the biggest offenders. I doubt you'll change like mako mike said. The bonus tag is a joke. It's nj com quota, however nobody ever sends tags in so you have a New Jersey commercial season 7 days a week for 9 months lol
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I do what I did in mass com fishing on my charters in 12 days every year. But I get to go an additional 4-6 weeks in spring and 8 weeks in fall
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One would think that CT, MA and NY charter associations would put pressure on their RI peers to change their stance and push for 1 fish.
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I'm curious Scott. I know why I think it would be an advantage but why do you now think it would be an advantage if RI charter boats have 2@ 33 inch? Especially given all the arguments saying that it would not hurt charter business if they are allowed 1@28"
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Buck - I'll try and answer that. At the RI meetings the RI For hire captains were adamant that if RI went one fish and Mass and NY went two, then they(RI Boats)would be at a SEVERE disadvantage and their customers would go to Mass or NY to vacation and fish. Now using that same argument, RI boats would now have the advantage in recruiting back those customers if they get a two fish bag.

Alright, but for me that makes it even less of a valid reason for 2@33. The discussion has centered around why would a client pay a grand for a couple of fillets. 2@33 makes it so the client is willing to gamble that they will get more than a couple fillets, although they generally won't get 2 fish. That is alot to gamble if it is about fillets. I guess the charter can mislead them into thinking they will leave with 2 fish even though they won't. That can't be good for business anyway.

we all fish for the challenge and we all fish in the hopes of catching something bigger and better than we have in the past.
Charterboat clients know it's fishing not catching
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Buck - I'll try and answer that. At the RI meetings the RI For hire captains were adamant that if RI went one fish and Mass and NY went two, then they(RI Boats)would be at a SEVERE disadvantage and their customers would go to Mass or NY to vacation and fish. Now using that same argument, RI boats would now have the advantage in recruiting back those customers if they get a two fish bag.

I agree totally with what you say but in your reality is it an advantage or disadvantage?
I have argued that it's clearly an advantage. Most here have argued that it is not a competitive advantage.
I think Rhode Island will surprise you guys and go with one fish .
But if Rhode Island instead played the game and tried to create an advantage for their boats ..then it's plan worked .
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If RI went 2@33"; does anyone think that the NY based head boats would move their base of operations over to Point Judith/Snug Harbor; to become RI boats?
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If RI went 2@33"; does anyone think that the NY based head boats would move their base of operations over to Point Judith/Snug Harbor; to become RI boats?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile deviceIf they do not become RI boats then when they get back to NY they stand a chance of getting busted for poaching. Ron

Now it is my understanding of the laws that if u are from out of state( not RI) and u go on charter in RI and if they do opt for the 2 fish limit, wouldnt it be illegal for those people to keep 2 fish and travel to their home state or thru a state that has a 1 fish law be breaking laws?
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Everybody fishing commercially in the canal could just say they were on a charter in RI and keep 2 fish everyday to pack and sell...::.
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Mike - It's a possession limit - so yes - but what are the odds of getting caught going back to Mass or Conn. Pretty slim. Hopefully compliance and enforcement concerns help change Rhodys current stance. Block Island waters will be an enforcement nightmare.

Everybody fishing commercially in the canal could just say they were on a charter in RI and keep 2 fish everyday to pack and sell...::.
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I am sure that already happens, block island comes to mind last year. If someone wants to cheat it is so easy any rules put in place are easy to skirt so I would imagine it will happen Mike.
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Everybody fishing commercially in the canal could just say they were on a charter in RI and keep 2 fish everyday to pack and sell...::.
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I'm pretty sure using that argument on an EPO will get you the maximum fine
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If they do not become RI boats then when they get back to NY they stand a chance of getting busted for poaching. Ron

NY DEM is extremely aggressive down on the east end, despite the bubs crying dongan patent.

Can you explain how 2@33 is an advantage? The harvest should be about the same whether it is 1@28 or 2@33? Isn't that the argument for equivalency? Is the advantage that people will go on the charter with the chance that they will take home two fish, even though the odds say in most cases they will only get one fish. Or is it that 2@33 for a charter really isn't equivalent to 1@28?

Most people I have talked to believe that Equivalency was never about the fish and provided a math exercise to disguise the weight of the argument on economics of the for hire industry. i believe the ASMFC in NY addressed that. Hope you guys get it right, then we can all march on NJ.

On another note, I can't help noticing that RI takes credit for being the most corrupt ( unofficially on the web ). I have lived in NJ for many years, and was raised and worked in NY and currently live there for as many. I will argue all day long that Albany and Trenton own the corruption title, even if Buddy made a RI return.:btu:

Everybody fishing commercially in the canal could just say they were on a charter in RI and keep 2 fish everyday to pack and sell...::.
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If you have a comm permit You also now have to clip the right pec fin off all bass over34" that you keep, on closed days.
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If you have a comm permit You also now have to clip the right pec fin off all bass over34" that you keep, on closed days.
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Did that pass Mike?
I know it was proposed, but I didn't think it was enacted.
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Just my 2 cents. If your fishing in the dark on nite or 2 before comm day, esp from shore, I have extreme doubt they will catch many. That whole clipping thing is really an honor thing at best Mke. I wish comm guys would be more respectful of the rules but I have seen way too much shadyness over the years to really have much hope that it will work.
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I think it did Jay
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From the most reputable source I know, Patrick.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/thefishingfreak/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2015-03-11-18-24-20_zpsrilttijn.png (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/thefishingfreak/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2015-03-11-18-24-20_zpsrilttijn.png.html)
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Just my 2 cents. If your fishing in the dark on nite or 2 before comm day, esp from shore, I have extreme doubt they will catch many. That whole clipping thing is really an honor thing at best Mke. I wish comm guys would be more respectful of the rules but I have seen way too much shadyness over the years to really have much hope that it will work.
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I have been fishing boston harbor for over 20 years on multiple boats and been boarded maybe 3x by the green cops. Everyone knows they work 9-5
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Thanks guys. I missed it going through.
Curb the stacking, spread out the catch, keep the price up.
Less impact on any one one body of fish.
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From the most reputable source I know, Patrick

thefishing:read:freak made me blush

I think the most interesting (& sad) political aspect about the RI decision is that this is a straight up face off between RISAA & the RI Party & Charterboat Assn (aka Steve Medeiros vs Rick Belevance)

This is EXACTLY why I fight with all my might against split regs/split modes. Instead of having the two most powerful recreational leaders in RI working together in a world where recs are treated poorly to begin with; we have a nasty political war amongst our own. The big boat commercial and extreme environmental advocates are at home laughing their asses off at this. I pray that after this SB business is over the community gets back together as we need to be united on a myriad if other issues.

Has RI made a decision public?

I think the most interesting (& sad) political aspect about the RI decision is that this is a straight up face off between RISAA & the RI Party & Charterboat Assn (aka Steve Medeiros vs Rick Belevance)



I pray that after this SB business is over the community gets back together as we need to be united on a myriad if other issues.

this is odd to me as Medieros and the RISSA hierarchy appeared determined to adopt the position of Belevance and his association throughout the process...if the RISSA membership hadn't screamed at the top of their lungs, this would have been a done deal long ago.....ultimately, Belevance gave Medieros &Co the finger when they offered the compromise involving captain and mate fish and maybe that is where the rift lies but I assumed the haggling now was at the next level trying to not look incompetent, or perhaps less incompetent... after allowing neighboring states the opportunity to make them look completely incompetent, out of touch and corrupt?


I do agree that the momentum has to be carried into the other issues, primarily enforcement, which I think all sides can agree on and where there was always common ground throughout....in the open letter that I cited from a RI for hire he threatened to "drop many dimes"... if RI went 1@ all modes...I hope he was/is true to his word....enforcement needs to be directed by the eyes on the water and at the docks and ramps, if they were willing to help with data collection they could certainly help with enforcement on what they consider their workplace and private/shore recs need to do the same going forward or gains will be meaningless....the problem is that it is pervasive and essentially generally accepted as part of the culture, not just with bass but with most species.....this is from the most recent URI Alumni Magazine

in the open letter that I cited from a RI for hire he threatened to "drop many dimes"... if RI went 1@ all modes...I hope he was/is true to his word....

Its funny how many people are heavily in favor of conservation, yet are friends with so many guys poaching.

That is so very true
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The lack of any news, updates, or discussion about RI is very unsettling..............
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Its funny how many people are heavily in favor of conservation, yet are friends with so many guys poaching.

Ding!
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Ding!
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Ding Ding Ding !

I don't think it's funny IMO

sad would have been a better adjective

I have been fishing boston harbor for over 20 years on multiple boats and been boarded maybe 3x by the green cops. Everyone knows they work 9-5
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I saw them out on the water a few times last year in the middle of the night, more often than I expected

this is odd to me as Medieros and the RISSA hierarchy appeared determined to adopt the position of Belevance and his association throughout the process

I was not in the committee meetings or involved in any way with the internal process of how RISAA chose positions on either the 2014 ASMFC SB Addendum or the 2015 RI State Regs for SB. That being said I can say with confidence that things are frequently not as they appear.

One of the most difficult responsibilities an officer of any organization has to face, is to represent the positions of the organization as opposed to his or her own. Its a hard thing to do. Many times while representing MSBA, the New England Council's Recreational Advisory Panel and other groups on which I serve, I have had to propose, advocate for & defend positions on issues that I not only questioned, but in some cases were 100% the opposite of what I felt was the right thing to do.

RISAA is a complex organization with an individual membership, affiliated organizations etc etc. RISAA has boards and committees with specific responsibilities and has an internal process which I respect. My understanding is that the process of taking positions on both SB actions caused internal struggle and I for one appreciate leadership that allows an organization to work through the struggle in order to best represent its membership.

Simply put, Steve Medeiros and I do not always agree however on the subject of striped bass conservation I consider Steve an ally.

I was not in the committee meetings or involved in any way with the internal process of how RISAA chose positions on either the 2014 ASMFC SB Addendum or the 2015 RI State Regs for SB. That being said I can say with confidence that things are frequently not as they appear.this has become crystal clear

One of the most difficult responsibilities an officer of any organization has to face, is to represent the positions of the organization as opposed to his or her own. Its a hard thing to do. Many times while representing MSBA, the New England Council's Recreational Advisory Panel and other groups on which I serve, I have had to propose, advocate for & defend positions on issues that I not only questioned, but in some cases were 100% the opposite of what I felt was the right thing to do.

RISAA is a complex organization with an individual membership, affiliated organizations etc etc. RISAA has boards and committees with specific responsibilities and has an internal process which I respect. My understanding is that the process of taking positions on both SB actions caused internal struggle and I for one appreciate leadership that allows an organization to work through the struggle in order to best represent its membership.

Simply put, Steve Medeiros and I do not always agree however on the subject of striped bass conservation I consider Steve an ally.

I understand this Patrick and I appreciate your knowledge and dedication, I agree that it is sad if the RI decision is now as you describe....I had some confidence that it was being made by others and not simply Bellevance vs. Medeiros

if the public comment period not been extended and had the RISSA letter not gone out at the last hour, again changing their official position, I don't think you would/could be considering Steve an "ally(in his capacity) on this issue" as they were supporting option #2(albeit with a caveat)....it would not be much of a heavyweight battle between these two right now deciding the fate of RI...perhaps a love fest

I'd like to think that the "delay" is a result of the outpouring of sentiment from the public to the various officials which I know to be significant, rather than a turf war between the RISSA president and the head of one of organizations it claims to represent, the late shift in RISSA position was clearly a result of members making their thoughts heard...these were the opposing forces throughout...without...this would likely be a done deal....where is Ms. Coit and the RIMFC in all of this? I thought they were running things?:eek:

Its funny how many people are heavily in favor of conservation, yet are friends with so many guys poaching.

Knowing some one (friend) and Participation are not one in the same .

But when environmental police board boats with fish before the start of the commercial day and all the do is take the fish thats the injustice

it should be an instant forfeiture of your commercial license for 5 years and a per fish fine .. there is no deterrent only incentive they just go out the next night the odds are in their favor never to see a environmental boat the rest of the season

We got boarded in cape cod bay a few years ago on a Saturday among a bunch of boats. Was a good bite going on too. After shooting the breeze with the two cops for a few minutes they got called off on an emergency.
Beyond pathetic to see all the nice bass floating by belly up a little while later from the cooler dumping.
Human nature I guess.
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We got boarded in cape cod bay a few years ago on a Saturday among a bunch of boats. Was a good bite going on too. After shooting the breeze with the two cops for a few minutes they got called off on an emergency.
Beyond pathetic to see all the nice bass floating by belly up a little while later from the cooler dumping.
Human nature I guess.
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Well now there's a big problem. The fishery becomes what it can be because there are no enforced rules.

Human nature is evidently corrupt first, then act concerned later. Sad.
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Without a doubt in my mind human nature is corrupt.
A deep rooted survival instinct, enjoy it while we can.
The rats and roaches will get another kick at the can when we destroy the place.
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"Paging rhode island DeM... Paging rhode island DEM... "





Well???????
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